My next project is a basket case...

[InsideOut]

My next project is a basket case SOB and I'm ready to jump in!

A 1964 Serro Scotty 13' "Tonga" (front kitchen) model. Brought her home today...demo starts tomorrow! It's a whole different animal than an Airstream - should be fun ~

Before you say "she paid too much"...know that I paid less for the whole trailer than the Bargman door handle/lock goes for on eBay and the handle/lock work. The door & windows on the other hand....

Let the games begin ~

Shari

[reinergirl]

WhooHooo!!! Can't wait to see what you do with her! Sure looks like you've got a lot of work ahead

[Avion C-11]

The potential is great with this one!

[Minno]

What a cutie! Needs work, but man, what potential. Congrats!

Chris

[InsideOut]

A lot of work ...yes, but Birdy our '56 Safari was much worse and bigger! I know I have it in me...just wait, I have big plans! Starting with a good scrub down tomorrow!

Shari

[bredlo]

Does this mean I can officially be first in line to buy Birdy?

[InsideOut]

Uh, no Brad...she's definitely NFS! Nice try though ~

Shari

[QuietWater]

I love the CarryAll! Here's a link to a Scotty on Craigslist if you want to compare.
1972 Serro Scotty camper

[InsideOut]

Yep, that one's bigger, newer and a different layout...not to mention almost 7 times more expensive than mine was!

I like the challenge and freedom to do what I want with it since it's a bit on the rough side. If it's "too nice" I'd feel guilty gutting and redoing everything I have plans on doing...I wanted a blank slate. Both our Airstreams have both been more "restoration" type projects - I'm anxious to get my hands into a little "resto-mod remodel" on this one - a la SOTF.

Nice though ~ thanks!!!

We've had fun with the CarryAll too, a step back in time for sure!

Shari

[bredlo]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

Uh, no Brad...she's definitely NFS! Nice try though ~

Shari

Yeah, considering Maxwell found a new home once upon a time... I thought I'd better play it safe.

[InsideOut]

Yeah, but this one will no way, no how replace Birdy - it's definitely a "one gal" trailer...it's going to be my little playhouse. Not big enough in my world for two ~

Shari

[Lance M]

Cool Shari! Can't wait to see the coolest Scotty out there

[47WeeWind]

Arf Arf!!

[Frank's Trailer Works]

The aluminum bug has bitten you very hard Shari. I too was lured by an early Scotty. Because it is a personal project, it sit idol right now.




Some insights I might share; You did not buy an Airstream, you bought a Scotty. They were the VW, no Yugo of the camper world. Not really meant to last too terribly long. Everything is nailed or stapled together, driving a screw took too long so they avoided them. At the Scotty factory, there was no waste. Every scrap that could be used was and often it was used even if it shouldn't. You will find many things that will have you scratching your head. After doing two Airstreams, you will really be questioning why Airstreams were built so tough and why after all these years, is this Scotty still holding up. Scotty's are not intended to be self contained. The area all around your rig is considered part of the rig. Outdoor kitchens under awning is most common due to the lack of actual galley space inside the trailer.
You will also find the Scotty Clubs(yes, more than one. Both exist harmoniously) to be a whole lot of fun. Scotty people are just like Airstream people with just a few $$$ taken off.
oh, and one last thing, unlike an Airstream, the dollars you put into restoring it, probably will never be realized once you sell it. The numbers just do not work, so you have got to love em and make that your investment.

[star kitty]

Nice! She in Edgewater? Great day for a cleaning...finally a warmer day and maybe no wind! I might have to ride over and check on you guys!

[byamcaravanner]

Shari,

Congrats on your Scotty purchase. Last year I bought a 13ft front kitchen. My son and I fixed it up for he and my grand daughter to use.

I am fascinated by how they are able to fit so much function into a little trailer. You'll have a great time dreaming up your own scheme.

If you have not run across them yet, there are two Scotty groups with websites with all kinds of info and help.

National Serro Scotty Organization - NSSO

Serro Scotty Camper Enthusiasts

There is also a Yahoo email group with a lot of great folks and a wealth of information.

Good Luck! Have Fun!

[InsideOut]

Oh Frank, the aluminum bug hit me lo-o-o-ng ago...this is just the latest relapse! I've been looking for a "little" trailer for quite awhile, but being that I am just a hobbist, I can only have one "big" project at a time. I fully realize it's a whole different breed, which is why I'm excited by the challenge. I want to turn this one into a "play toy" - a little gem, not an accurate restoration, so I'll have lots of lattitude that I didn't take with our Airstreams. Looks like yours is a nice work in progress...awesome!

Steve, I'd love to see pics of your son's too, what year is it? I've already done lots of research online with the clubs and already joined - sure wish there was an organized forum of info like here for Airstreams - would make things a bit easier to reference & find! Guess there isn't as high of a survival rate, so not as many out there. Oh well, I fell confident that we'll be able to muddle through and figure things out just fine, this forum didn't exist when we started our 1st Airstream and we did fine. I'm resourceful and will search out folks to help along the way as needed - I'm not afraid to ask questions!

Thanks for the encouragement ~

Yes, Liz...you're welcome to stop by...you know where I'll be!

Shari

P.S. I'll post more pics as I go along ~

[aceflys]

As Frank would say "Welcome To The Dark Side" owning a SOB. Well I think Scotty owners say the same thing about none Scotty owners. Saying that I was a Scotty before I got my AS. I still own both trailers.
Our joke is "Our Sway Bars Swing Both Ways"
I guess I can take the credit for getting Steve & the crew hooked on Scotty's. His Scotty came from me. It was a trailer I rescued in FLA last year.
Now to your new Scotty. It is a 15 ft "Scotty with a potty" FC. The Tonga Scotty was only made from 66-68 and it only was a 13 footer. Steve and I both own 67 Tonga's. If you can restore a AS. You restore a Scotty with you eyes closed.

Scotty with Potty info http://www.nationalserroscotty.org/r...-newmodels.jpg

Have fun with your new project and please keep us posted on your progress.

Ace in PA

[InsideOut]

Thanks Ace, I'm not sure it is a "Scotty with a potty" or if it was, it isn't anymore. It has a fridge where the potty usually is and a heater where the icebox normally goes and I think it's only 13' (it's definately shorter than the 15' footers I've seen). It also doesn't have the extra cabinet inside the door or the wardrobe next to the commode area - which would explain that extra two feet - maybe it's a 13' foot version.

Both the fridge & heater are period correct for a '64 based on our experience with our '64 Airstream - I suppose they could have been added later by a PO, but they look like they may have been added as options. The only thing that has me scratching my head is that two of the cabinet doors are not flat slabs like "normal" so you may be right. I just got it home yesterday afternoon, so I' will be digging into it a more today once it warms up a bit. I'll see if there is any evidence of a remodel...

Yeah, I know the "Tonga" name wasn't used before '66 but it seems like the there are a lot of similarities - and I just like the name! It doesn't have it on the kitchen cabinets though like the later models. I've also seen reference to "front kitchen" models - which it definitely has. I'll be curious to see if there is any evidence an original potty having existed or any other clues - like the vin# on the tongue. Oh, if only these babies could talk!

Oh well, regardless of what it was, it's going to have new life soon.

Shari

[aceflys]

Steve's Scotty the day I pick it up

These are photos of 4 days of repairs to make it campable






Here it is 4 day later at Long Key State Park






Steve's boy rolling into The Bash II




Ace in PA