We found this cool RV renovation, and it’s honestly one of the wildest restorations we’ve seen. Someone bought a 1973 Shasta Class A motorhome that’s so rare, even RV pros are like “what is that thing?”
They completely gutted and rebuilt the inside while keeping all that groovy 1970s style on the outside. If you’re into vintage RVs or just love a good makeover story, you’re going to want to see this.
The Backstory
So here’s how it went down. These folks spotted this motorhome on Facebook Marketplace and actually drove all the way to Pennsylvania to grab it. The crazy part? Nobody had ever seen one of these before. We’re talking about people who’ve been around RVs forever, and they’re all stumped. This thing might be a prototype or maybe Shasta only made a handful of them back in the day.
Why buy something with water damage? Because look at it! It’s got that whole “Cars movie” vibe going on with the retro styling. Sometimes you see something and just know it’s worth saving, even if it needs a ton of work.
Exterior Tour
Let’s walk around the outside of this beauty and see what makes it so special. The restoration kept all the original charm while making sure everything actually works.
Classic 1970s Look
The outside is basically a time machine. That blue paint job is perfect, and those Shasta wings on the side are iconic. The rounded windows scream 1970s, and check out that solid bumper. They really built these things like tanks back then.
Functional Features
Underneath, you’ve got these massive storage compartments that can hold pretty much anything you throw at them. Perfect spot for batteries if you want to go off grid. The awning is huge and still works great on its original roller system.
They made some smart updates without ruining the vintage look. New marker lights make it safer to drive at night. They swapped in a tankless water heater, which is awesome because you never run out of hot water. The original gray water tank was metal and still solid, so they left it alone.
Modern touches include a backup camera (thank goodness, because parking this beast is no joke) and the towing hitch is ready to go. The generator setup means you can camp anywhere. And get this: the original Shasta logo on the back is still there, which is pretty sweet for anyone who’s into vintage RVs.
Interior Renovation & Design
Now for the really good stuff. The inside went from water damaged disaster to a cozy home on wheels that somehow feels both modern and vintage at the same time.
Front Cabin & Living Area
Walking inside is where things get really interesting. They kept the original flight deck, which basically means you’re surrounded by windows. The view is incredible no matter where you park this thing. The passenger seat is clever too. It flips around to become a lounge chair or even converts to a bed if you need extra sleeping space.
Remember that water damage we mentioned? They ripped everything out, fixed the problems, and put in new paneling and insulation. The teak countertops look amazing, and they managed to save the original window shades, which adds to the whole vintage vibe. The dashboard got cleaned up but still looks like it belongs in 1973.
The new stereo system is legit, with speakers placed just right so you can actually hear your music while driving down the highway. That backup camera monitor sits right where you can see it easily, which makes backing up way less stressful.
Kitchen & Storage
The kitchen is where you really feel at home. It’s got this cozy feeling that just works. The backsplash matches up with the blue carpet in the living room, which ties everything together nicely.
The sink is deeper than you’d expect in an RV, and the faucet pulls out so you can actually use it outside if you need to rinse something off. Three burners plus an oven means you can cook real meals, not just heat up canned soup. They simplified the cabinets to make them more practical, but there’s still tons of storage up top. The corkboard wall is genius for sticking up photos or notes from your trips.
Sleeping Area
Here’s where it gets really clever. The bed pulls out to become king size, and they used memory foam cushions so it’s actually comfortable. With windows all around, it feels like a little hideaway spot. There’s a TV on a swivel mount so you can watch from any angle, plus more cabinets and drawers for all your stuff.
Bathroom Upgrade
The bathroom got a total makeover. Fresh white shower walls and a new shower pan make it feel clean and modern. They went with a dry flush toilet system, which is pretty smart for boondocking, though the black tank is still there if you want to use it the old fashioned way.
The wallpaper and cedar details warm up the space so it doesn’t feel like a typical RV bathroom. There’s actually room to store things under the sink, and the lights dim down for those middle of the night bathroom trips.
Tech & Utilities
They didn’t mess around with the power setup. A 200 watt solar kit runs the lights, fans, and even the oven. There’s a 100 amp hour lithium battery with an inverter, and you can check everything on your phone through Bluetooth. Pretty cool for a 1973 RV, right?
The tankless water heater has a remote control for temperature (fancy!), and they added a slim radiant heater that warms up the whole space super fast on chilly mornings.
Why This Shasta Is Special
What makes this restoration possible is the all aluminum frame and steel roll cage. The bones were good, so they could focus on making the inside awesome without worrying about the structure falling apart. Keeping the outside original while modernizing the inside was the perfect approach.
This might be one of the only Shasta Class A motorhomes from this era still rolling around. That alone makes it pretty special.
The Sale & Next Projects
Here’s the kicker: they put about $20,000 into this restoration and sold it for nearly $40,000. Not bad for a Facebook Marketplace find!
What’s next? The builders are already planning custom builds and van conversions. They might even tackle an Airstream restoration. If you want to follow along with future projects, check out their Facebook page, Van Crafters.
Closing Thoughts
This project shows what’s possible when you give an old RV some love. Instead of letting these vintage motorhomes rot away, someone brought this rare piece of history back to life. It’s not just another RV now; it’s a one of a kind road trip machine with a story to tell.
Thinking about your own vintage restoration? This Shasta proves that sometimes the weird finds on Facebook Marketplace are worth taking a chance on. You might just end up with something nobody else has.