to John--"83 Excella/Moderator"...
and for anyone else who wants to read about the extensive remodeling/redecorating I've been doing for 3 years to "Bear" .. my 1981 Excella.
I tool this from an email I sent to someone else who asked just yesterday.
I hope it's ok.
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Here's my rig's description:
It is a 1981 - 32 foot Excella, twin axle, with a side-bath, full galley, rear bedroom, AC, and other aminities. It is in very good condition, is being completely redecorated in a 'retro' decor...(not quite completed actually...the shower is still in progress (ceramic tile edging w/ SOLID vinyl 'wallpaper' which appears like broken mosaic tile chips), sealants etc.). I am planning on coming down to California on August 12th---but sans the Airstream (I have planned on leaving it back here in Washington) for now.
The redecorating/remodeling has been done with only the highest quality items. (A "Bar" sink faucet, the "NuTone" insink blender motor has been rebuilt and reconditioned...they said it didn't need it...I said,,,"do it anyway...they are irreplaceable!"; the upholstery is all genuine "Naugahyde" (yellow & black), the refrig has think STEEL panels enameled in a turck paint turquoise, a swivel chair in Black with Auqa cording, new cardtable in Teak, all edging in 1-1/4" Aluminum "Chrome" 1940 "T-Trim", the formica is confetti in the galley (galley top replaced with 1" thick marine plywood), and Burgandy in the salon. The carpet in the Salon is also Burgandy ("Merlot"), the galley floor is "CheckerFlag" vinyl in 10" squares...the hall and 'head' are in sage green carpets, and the bedroom in a commercial grade which is being covered with "Faux" MINK FUR! The 'bath' vanity/toilet area is 'wallpapered' in a solid vinyl 'cloth-backed'; as is the shower...in a Mosaic tile "chip" Solid "Cloth-backed" VINYL...Very heavy..and triple sealed.
The rear bedroom has torn (& burned edged) taupe colored silk pieces glued to the walls, chocolate vinyl screen roll-down blinds (awesome!), with beaded cording. Besides the 'mink' rug, the dresser has been custom cut with a sit-down vanity, leaving 1/2 original drawers and doors. It's redone (as is the overhead cupboard above the rear-window) in black Lacquer. With antique trimming...and Cloissoine cabinet handles of stars & 1/2 moons; the ceiling panel is in midnight blue with glow-in-the-dark constillation...and the "square" light has a lace cover with stars that glow as well. a 4 foot branch of "Twisted Willow" is attached to one wall with bird houses and birds.
The inside of the door is even painted with a mural of a tropical scene.
It's very fanciful and whimsical...but even guys who see it are mesmerized!
All blinds are new and Basswood in the Salon, Brushed Aluminum "Micro" in the Galley; the microwave "hole" is now the computer desk with another brushed aluminum micro blind there to cover it when not working.
The bedroom folding door has been removed (the hall one is still intact to make a bed/bath SUITE), and a heavy brocade door curtain is being hung (with heavy ornate tassles and fringe at the bedroom opening).
In the Salon, the stereo has been rewired with "Monster Wire"...and the 8-Trak has been replaced with "Trapazoid" "coke-bottle green edged" lucite shelving for CDs (3-shelves) behind the "Tampour Doors"...The same vinyl has been installed on top of the long stereo/dining credenza in clear lucite over the Burgandy naugahyde (matching the formica table tops), with the "Chrome T-Trim" edges around the credenza AND the table(s).
I'm very proud of it.... The exterior is in very good conditon...but soon I plan on applying new stencils girthing the entire rig and propane cover; and repainting the dark grey under-carriage and propane cover top. I have been very careful to not add any weight...if I wanted an item which weighed more than it's replaced item...I adjusted something else to compensate for it...so as to keep the integrity the same as the Manual states.
My door (the interior of it) is another piece of art....I have painted a tropical mural on the inside of the door.
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John....(83 Excella)
I hope this is enough...or not too much.. I know there's more...and I'll add to it when I can. Pictures will definitely be up online soon. My new business has just been taking higher priority...
Cat & Bear
"dreamin' of 'streamin'