To Keep Original Or Update Interior

[man7sell]

Now this may start a heated discussion but here goes:
Wednesday we got our first AS, a 1964 Globetrotter. The interior is in pretty good shape, the cabinet doors are nicely varnished etc. My quandary is to update the cabinet doors and interior items more like a yacht style framed doors nice wood etc. (Lived on a sailboat for 17 years with fine cabinetry), or to leave stock.
If I update, what value would the doors be if sold? and the detachable folding table stuff like that?

[tphan]

1st of all, your thread title is almost exactly the same as my re-model thread from a few years ago- my lawyer says this is OK, for a small "franchise" fee.
But seriously- I personally would leave a good-condition wood interior as-is, as an all-original 60's model will probably be more attractive to the next buyer (ie more valuable) than a re-modeled one. I say this after having gutted, and re-modeled, my '72, but it was trashed, broken, plastic-laminate stuff, with a floor plan I didn't like. I'm sure you could sell the doors, and table, here or on Ebay if you do go that route. Get some other advice, and think about it, before you do it.

[purman]

Me, My inside was in good shape too. But I wanted light colors and bunks for my kids so out it all went. There are always people looking for lights and that table so selling them wouldn't be a big deal and you could get a bit for them.. Me I felt I received a lot from the forums so I got rid of my stuff to forum members for the price of shipping... But if you need money to redo it sell the stuff.
I'm still working on mine. And will be for a while.. It will be more user freindly for my family than the original. Plus, my wife says I just like to take stuff apart and never get it put back together for a long time... Well I have till spring.

[LHall]

I say keep it original. Our 62 Ambassador is mostly original inside witht the exception of the fron U shaped sofa that the PO installed, but did a great job. The original cabinetry looks cool and is relatively lightweight compared to newer materials.

[SteveH]

This is just my opinion, but if I had a vintage that was in good shape, and I didn't dislike the floorplan too much, I would leave it original.

[silverleeper]

I'm an original fan. But, I've seen a few vintage remodels that blew my mind. If you do a quality remodel it shouldn't detract from the resale price at all. ottom line its your trailer do what makes you happy... Good luck on your project.

[klattu]

I say both...update the original...
there are many originals out there...make yours original to you taste

[samb]

The PO gave up all interest in your trailer, The FO (future owner) may not even be born yet, so the CO (current owner) has ultimate control. I would, and did, change anything I wanted to suit myself. I hunted for months for just the right color and grain of mahogany to rebuild all the cabinets. Strength, beauty, and light weight can all be incorporated into a remodel/rebuild. I, for one, do not want to live in someone else's (FO) and just be a "caretaker" for their trailer.
So....................my opinion............do whatever you want and you will never regret it. There is a certain satisfaction to your own designs and handiwork that money could never buy.
And, as I have stated before, a trailer is merely a landlocked boat.
Sam

[mrauch]

I agree with keeping it original--within reason. But it's obviously a matter of personal taste and what you want to end up with. I have been working on my 66 Caravel for about 6 months now. We decided not to worry about resale value but instead just go with what we would enjoy. . In my case the galley cabinetry was in pretty bad shape. The sink, exhaust fan, and appliances were good, except the refrig., which was in working condition (gas only) but pretty beat up and rusty, etc. I replaced the refrig. with new Dometic gas/elec. On the Caravel, that does require some finessing of the base cabinet to fit the new refr. I'd be happy to share the details of how I made it work if you are interested. Cleaned up and re-used the rest of the appliances and fixtures. I decided to completely rebuild both the lower and upper galley. Some of the doors were re-usable by stripping and refinishing. The rest, including cabinet face frame I re-made from oak. I was able to get very close to the original color with Min-Wax "Golden Oak" . Finished with Formby's oil rub. With a little woodworking experience, and lots of patience, this is a very do-able project. I used the Kreg system for the face frame. The paneling I have either refinished or replaced, depending on the condition. Put in upgrades like new converter, propane detector, etc. that just make sense and don't impact the appearance. Made a new countertop and covered with a "retro" look formica and aluminum edge band. That's not necessarily original, but seems to fit the overall feel we wanted. Wife had the original cushions recovered with some good fabric, and is making curtains. Will install marmoleum "Click" 12" tiles--again not necessarily original but practical and nice looking. Good luck with your project. For the most part I have really enjoyed our project and look forward to using it soon.
Mark R.

[man7sell]

Originally Posted by samb

The PO gave up all interest in your trailer, The FO (future owner) may not even be born yet, so the CO (current owner) has ultimate control. I would, and did, change anything I wanted to suit myself. I hunted for months for just the right color and grain of mahogany to rebuild all the cabinets. Strength, beauty, and light weight can all be incorporated into a remodel/rebuild. I, for one, do not want to live in someone else's (FO) and just be a "caretaker" for their trailer.
So....................my opinion............do whatever you want and you will never regret it. There is a certain satisfaction to your own designs and handiwork that money could never buy.
And, as I have stated before, a trailer is merely a landlocked boat.
Sam

Like the way you think Sam, and I like the acronyms to be 2 letters also.

[InsideOut]

Let the individual trailer tell you what to do. I agree with what others have said, if it's in disrepair or falling apart - do whatever you want, get creative. If it's in original unadulterated condition, let it be. If you must "customize" to be happy, then find a trailer that needs work.

Shari

[hampstead38]

For us the decision is update, hands down. Why? The original appointments are not in terrible shape, but they are not in great shape either. We need a comfortable bed for an extended full timing trip. Our '67 Overlander floor plan had a gaucho in front and a sort of double bed amidships. We have no need for the three-burner cooktop. The original Magic Chef oven is heavy and probably would receive far less use than a microwave. The '67 has aluminum 110v wiring which has to be replaced and an insufficient number of outlets for all of our odd little chargers. The Univolt has been surpassed by superior products. I can keep going, but I trust you get the point.

We went into the project knowing we wanted to do a renovation, not a restoration. I'm not invested in living in a '67 Overlander exactly how it rolled out of the factory. I'm interested in making a '67 Overlander into a comfortable, usable travel trailer that has a very distinct "feel" that you just can't find in modern SOBs. If I was worried about return on investment, I would have bought a new Airstream and kept everything as is. As far as travel trailers go, I think the Airstreams hold their value relatively well. With a vintage trailer, it's hard to ever get out what you put into them when you take a cold, hard look at the labor hours. The same is generally true with vintage cars or trucks. I think the thing to do is decide early on if you are building an investment and enjoying a hobby. I like hunting, but I decided long ago that it's cheaper to buy meat when you add up the hours I spend putting wild game on the table. But for me, it's not about the money, it's about the passion.

[goransons]

My opinion has always been that there are so few "original and in good shape" that if you are interested in a gut job and a custom interior, search out one of the countless started but never finished trailers that are gutted or in desperate need of it. 8671 is a perfect example, a historic trailer that didn't need to be gutted almost was when we had an already gutted trailer we wanted a stock-like interior in. Gutted trailers are cheaper anyway. In the end however, it is yours to do what you like!

[Tom Nugler]

I purchased my GT partially gutted. I rebuilt it back as close to original as I could in pre Forum days.
After 9 years the only thing that I would change would be to convert the front bed to a dinette set-up. We’ve found the fold-up, pull–out table by the door to be cumbersome to set up and difficult to maneuver around.
A few years back I went so far as to build a new table that was a bit narrower and lighter. Unfortunately my opinion of the design hasn’t changed.
If you are comfortable with the layout and the cabinetry doesn’t need much work I’d bring the rest back to original and dump the couch.

Tom.

[man7sell]

Originally Posted by Tom Nugler

I purchased my GT partially gutted. I rebuilt it back as close to original as I could in pre Forum days.
After 9 years the only thing that I would change would be to convert the front bed to a dinette set-up. We’ve found the fold-up, pull–out table by the door to be cumbersome to set up and difficult to maneuver around.
A few years back I went so far as to build a new table that was a bit narrower and lighter. Unfortunately my opinion of the design hasn’t changed.
If you are comfortable with the layout and the cabinetry doesn’t need much work I’d bring the rest back to original and dump the couch.

Tom.

Well my wife agrees with you there dump the couch

[Silverwanabe]

With my 67, I have kept it original as possible.

My changes are mostly soft goods.

I have replaced the floor tile in the bath, carpet, curtains, varnished the wood- was in great shape to begin with.

The stove and oven still work, replaced frig and water heater, added 70's Airstream hubcaps.

I do want new fabric for the sofa. Added Fantaskic fans too.

I will not change the floor plan.

Just my opinion

[ROBERT CROSS]

1953 Ford Victoria, "Bertha" stays un-restored original, as did our 63 Safari 'til it was sold in 2004.

[samb]

I must confess that I did save a few things of the original. I still have the bath tub, black tank, shower head, kitchen sink, and the two forward light fixtures. Everything else I changed; some to make safer or more efficient (water heater, converter, refrigerator, furnace, batteries, plumbing, propane lines) and others (bed, dinette, lighting, cabinetry, and skylights) to meet my desires. I did definately dump the couch and build my own dinette. And as much as I hate to build drawers, I did manage to include 14 into the rebuild. I even built a secret place to store all my gold. Now, if I ever get any gold................................
Sam

[man7sell]

I've been working most of the winter reworking the interior, the wife's sister is an interior decorator so fabrics have been chosen (photos of that to follow). The Oak wood interior replaced (not an oak fan) with mahogany. changed out the side couch for a dinette with water and battery storage beneath. The table will drop down to make a bed.

[toddster]

If you swap out the original wall mounted light fixtures, then you might give Viking a call. I think he may have been looking for one for his '64 Safari.