Hello World

Hi.

So now that all of that is out of the way, My name is Mike and I have this thing with restoring old Trailers and RV's. I buy them relatively cheap, and make them look better, work better, and smell better. :)

My first project was a 1966 Aristocrat Mainliner, feel free to read all about the 2 year restoration, then rebuild again on http://66mainliner.blogspot.com

The next project I picked up several weeks ago (1/9/2010) was a 1973 25ft Barth Motor Coach.

This one is going to need some work to get her road worthy and campable, then a bunch more to make it look pretty, along the way I hope it will start to smell better.

So, this Barth RV is pretty cool (or why would I bother, right?) the construction is the same as a Airstream, the structure and framing is all 1" Aluminum i-beams, and the skin is riveted Aluminum. No rust, no rot. Well, at least with the coach body. The chassis is another story. This runs on a Chevy 1 Ton Chassis, and from what I can tell so far the Motor is a 1972 Big Block 454 (270hp, 390 ft-lb) with a 3 speed Turbo 400 Tranny. Runs and drives great. Just needs a bit of a tune up to get her at her peak. But no trouble getting up and over the pass coming home from Yakima where I bought her.

So far what I've done to bring everyone up to date is:
- Installed 2 new tires on the front, (one blew out, and one was on it's way out)
- Installed a new Coach Battery (Deep Cycle RV)
- Rebuilt the entry steps
- Started to tear down the damaged ceiling (water leaks)
- re-connected the water lines to test the system (needs a couple new leaky drain valves in the rear)
- Installed a new vent cover (Square 14x14 ona rounded corner vent)
- Installed a new toggle switch for the forward roof vent
- got the Roof Top AC working (fan needs some TLC still, blows cold!)
- Fixed the door on the fridge (Still need to make a travel lock for it)
- Removed the luggage railings, broken antennae mount, and brackets and patched holes to seal the roof
- Removed the rear luggage rack and installed a 2" hitch ball.
- Replaced the socket and bulb to repair the lighted entry handle
- Started to remove the vinyl woodgrain finish around the windows to prep for paint or polish
- Test polished a couple small sections (I will eventually strip and polish the whole RV)
- Started to remove the purple window tint.
- Removed the old divider doors

so that is just the start to what I would estimate a 6 month project with a little here and there... so follow along as it progresses! I'll try to keep new content as much as possible.

Now, on to the pictures... everyone loves pictures!

The Yellow and Brown are coming off this summer, the front plate is already gone.

Again Brown is coming off, that rusty rack is already gone.

You can see how it will polish up quite nicely! :)

These Twin beds, after a touch of ME will be a large 76"x 84" bed OR twin beds. Thinking of painting or replacing the wood grain walls back here.

The Tub,Toilet and Sink are all molded fiberglass, and one-piece. Pretty cool. (the dirt in the tub is water and insulation from teh damaged ceiling... cleaned up nicely.

Cupboards are still in nice condition for a 38 year old RV. :) Maybe some Murphy's and scotch brite and she's shine again.

The cockpit. :)

Looking forward to give you an idea of the floorplan... The bathroom is right behind me.

More of the rear beds.

The Dinette also folds down to a bed.

The "Galley" or Kichenette or Kitchen... cool 70's range with Oven on top.

Facing forward, there is a bunk that folds down to just above the headrests of the front swivel chairs. Padded, red like the rest... E Loves it and calls it his new Bonk Bed.

Stay tuned for more!

These pictures and more are available on my Flickr Set at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeblumenstein/sets/72157625823786112/with/5396433503/