'73 Starcraft Bargain?

[Himmark]

Hi All,

My family is just starting in the popup world.  We have a v-6 windstar to pull a popup and have been looking for about 3 months.  I don't want to invest alot of money since this will be our first foray into camping and I'm over 50.

I found a '73 Starcraft, 8 footer for $300.00.  This camper has not been used in about 4 years but has been garage kept the entire time.  I've been told that the tires were new when last used.  It has heat but no a/c and the awning is in bad shape.

Is this a good deal, and what should I be looking for?

Thanks,

Himmark Family

[brainpause]

Might be a good deal, even if the interior needs a little work.

If you have to replace the canvas, plan on spending 500-800 dollars. If the tires are 4 years old, just replace them for safety's sake. A lot of dry rot happens.

If you are handy at all, restoring one of these old ones can be much of the fun!

Larry

[Willc]

What engine in the windstar the 3.0. I pull a 2800 # rockwood with mine all the time

[hoppy]

Three hundred bucks is not too bad.

 Figure around  $ 225.00  to put a really nice awning on it, and if you need to add AC (pretty hot and muggy in NJ) you can add a  8 K BTU window style unit through the back wall of the PU for about $ 250.00. It will probably need to be a window style, since the roofs on PU's back aaround that time were not built to support the weight of a AC unit.

 I restored a 78' Palomino back in 90' and it shinned up like a brand new penny. They can be fun to work on.

 I second the advice to replace those four year old tires, since they may be dry rotten by now.  

 Well good luck macking your decission.

[Himmark]

Thanks for the advice.  I'm going to look at the unit in about 30 min.  Will let you know what happened.

[Himmark]

Well we bought it!

Got it for $100.00, but it needs some TLC.  The interior is in in as good shape as a thirty something PU can be.  It's very must smelling from not being used for a couple of years.  The canvas has a few tears but I think a little Duct Tape will fix it right up.

The lift mech seemed to work perfectly.  I forgot to ask if this model has breaks (This is SF-6).  I hoping to have the maintenance work done soi that we can take a maiden voyage over Labor Day weekend.  Any one have spots they can recommend in NJ (I don't want to go to far on the first time out)

Thanks again for the advice.

[brainpause]

Congrats! Great price, no matter the condition!

Very doubtful it has brakes at that age. In fact, I'd just about bet my front yard it doesn't.

Change the tires and have the bearings serviced. This can be done by you, if you are handy. Will keep the axle/bearings from seizing.

Use Febreze, charcoal, and dryer sheets to help it be a little more nose-friendly.

And enjoy!

Larry

[GeneF]

Congratulations on the new-to-you camper.

For $100, you sure couldn't leave it there.

If you don't like camping, you could always make a planter out of it or a utility trailer.  

Sounds like the family could have some fun getting it up to par.

Happy camping.

[chip]

While I'm a big fan of duct tape (If you can't fix it with duct tape, it ain't broke), I found when repairing the tears on my old Starcraft that contact cement worked better.  Cut the patch larger than the tear, and follow the directions on the can.

Congrats on your new to you popup....Hope you and yours make many happy memories with it.  

[Gone-Camping]

Very doubtful it has brakes at that age.

Not so...my fathers 1968 Starcraft (Starmaster-8) had surge brakes, as did my 78 Starmaster-8. However, by the model number represented I don't think that one has brakes. They didn't equip the old Starcrafts with electric brakes, so if you had them at all, you're unit would only be equipped with surge brakes....
 
How do you tell?? Look for a large box and fluid reservoir right behind the coupler on the trailer tongue. If you just have straight frame rails there, then you don't have brakes.
 
Welcome to the world of PU camping...even at age 50 you're gonna have a great time with it....I know, I'm older than you!!

[dee106]

our first was a 78 starcraft, we had fun rebuilding it, first season was patching up, second was rebuilding it, new canvas, installed electric brakes, then the lifters started, so we rebuilt them, changed out the faucet from pump to free flow, (was not using holding tank) re did the cushions added a boarder trim to update it. got a box heater , added better lighting. Then ken fell in love with the new starcraft and my son out grew the bunkend ( 6ft2) so we moved up to the king size beds and the slide out and all the added features of the times, etc.....and we keep on moving up! :eyecrazy:
 so now I won't let ken go to any rv shows,,,, don't know what he will bring home next!:yikes:

[tlhdoc]

Congratulations on the PU.  Good luck on the remodeling.

[Himmark]

Hi All,

Thanks for all of the encouragement!

We got the beastie home (received a $60.00 Ticket on the way because the registration expired in 2001.  It has been garaged all this time).

OPened it up to satrt airing it out and will be taking it to for new tire and  getting the bearings repacked.  I'm getting excited now and I'm sure I will have many questions as this new hobby?  Lifestyle?  Project?  whatever develops.

Thanks again.

[vjm1639]

Goodness.... $100??----or rather  $160 (counting ticket)?  LOL  That is awesome!  Can't beat a deal like that.  Hope you  have it ready for a labor day trip. Oh yeah....count on it being a new lifestyle...it's all you'll think about now.  ;>  Welcome to PUT!

[hoppy]

Congrats on your purchase.... you can't beat that deal with a stick... even with the ticket.

 Too bad the police didn't cut you a break, since you just purchased it and all. But it is still a great buy.

  Have fun fixing it up and making it ready for your first trip out. I know I had fun restoring my first 78' Palomino when I purchased it back in 1990. I had to work on a number of the appliances in mine, (the AC had a problem starting up the compressor, the furnace burned with a yellow flame and needed to clean a mud-dabber home out of the venturi pipe) and replaced the canvas, the awning, and the interior fabric for the outdated motif, and it shined up just like a brand new "penny"  I gave this one to my DD and SIL when I bought the Mesa back in 2003, and they still use it about 6-7 trips every year.

 Hope you enjoy yours for many years to come. I know that I did.