Steel Shipping Containers Mobile Home ??
At last after all these years something new. I know practicaly nothing but oh my god neither does anybody else. So I shall ask all you good persons to comment. Make it polite remember I hurt easily.
I bought a mass of shipping containers. I have them parked all over the world but I have at least 2,000 available here on the Pacific Coast.
Very simple. I am going to take them three or four at a crack and make houses of them so advanced that when the first persons from outer space arrive they will look at them and say, "Damn, I guess we are not the first." Besides a lot of my Chinese friends who arrived in this country inside similar ones, say they were a great ride.
First of all they seem to be perfect for California.
Termite Proof, Earthquake Proof, Bullet Proof (22 to 25 cal), Fire Proof and they also Float.
I take 3 40 foot long 8 by 8. and 1 20 ft long 8 by 8, I make a rough C out of them and then I parallel the first one so I have 16 foot wide rooms for kitchens, family rooms, living rooms etc. 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths.
The first one is 1400 sq ft. So I go into the building department in Van Nuys which covers the valley. The kid looks at me and then tries to fit it into a catagory. Is it a Mobile Home, Is it Manufactured Housing, wot is it.
He calls the boss over. "Hi Lucius", he says, "What are you doing to my help?" He looks at the pictures, "Damn" he says, "How much and how soon?" "For you special price, nuthing down and $375 a month. for 30 years." Dun" is the replay, "I'll give you my lot address and legal. Go measure and give me one so I can put my screaming kids in one wing, My mother in law with them. The other wing for my wife and perhaps a small bedroom somewhere for me." He is not kidding he wants it and as soon as possible. I told him he is number 4. Not bad,
I think for the first time in my life the Dept. of Building and Safety are on my side.
Course his lot near Simi looks like a battlefield, covered in gray ash, the trees standing there with no clothes on. I wanted to attach a fig leaf. Very sad.
The thing is I am doing everything on site. I cut the doors and windows put in the plumbing and electric stuff the walls and ceilings with R-9 and R-13. I even plant the sod and three trees one lemon and two orange, my wife's contribution to www.planning.Lovely Atrium just like Rome.
This is what I have to supply, a copy of the specs of original construction. An engineer to sign an approved plan. A plot plan so they know where on the lot the house is and a check. I knew that was coming. They have decided that they can handle it just like a regular house being built. My biggest problem so far seems to be Dept of Water and Power, they seem a little annoyed that I am going to spin their meter backwards for a credit. Solar panels on roof. They want book and page on my disconnects and what really seems to bother them is that I am installing a little storage battery facility next to the house. My theory is that if I have a little stored energy next time they play games and shut off the power I will have power for a few nights.
Ok, I am doing the first one as a model. Then based on that I am doing 30 more as fast as I can. Radient heat in floors and hot water solar heater panels also on roof to heat hot water and heat the house and showers, etc. etc.
Now thats where I am. I have a plasma machine coming to cut in doors and windows and take out middle walls oh god thats going to be fun teaching my highly unskilled help how to cut steel. Oh well we taught them everything else. But then they taught me. I can salt my hand put a lime on it and swig Tequila with the best, I have only bit my hand once. Well twice but that does not count I was drunk. They tied me on a skate board and rolled me home. .
Still it looks like big boxes, which I love hell I would be happy in a space machine, but thats me and my taste. Funny thats what my Ex girlfriend told me when I announced I was getting married. Hmm. If it was me I'd paint them yellow with big letters on each part A, B, C.
OK nice people give me your imput. No I cannot put them back on boats and send them to China. Perhaps a tasty light brown to emulate the soil, The numbers done in a pretty Spencerian Hand. Also a banner, "Eat at Joes" Help I would appreciate a few comments. After all I have taken semi hits at all of you, this is your chance.
First ones sell for $125,000 each profit is over $90,000 The second batch I want to utilize for low cost housing and sell for $58,000 Still make $30,000 and the payment is $375 a month for 30 years. So LA Housing say go. But the problem is if I do that I know what they are going to do. Right on. Sell them for $250,000 which is still under market and back they go to Section 8. A dilema.
Come on Guys and you too Mrs. Metzler teach me.
I await your communications Hurry, I am very old and fat and ugly but I love you all. Especialy Mrs. Metzler.
Lucius
Interesting...
What about the foundation? Insulation? Do they get really hot in the summer when the sun's on them?
I'd love to see you stack 2 of em to make a townhouse.
I would LOVE to see a pic of them. Would you mind sending me one? (email on profile).
Keep us updated on how this goes.
here here!
i say build the first one in philly. i'll stick my neck on the line (hehehe) and buy it and live in it. if it can handle THIS weather and seasons, then i'll make it my mission to redevelop north philly! (as if i haven't already)
spaceships are cool ...
Lucis,
I thought you were joking but perhaps not.
I know you are VERY experienced in MANY areas of real estate so I am wondering have you gotten HUD preliminary approval yet?
Thanks
Hello Lufos
Sounds to me like all your doing is making modular housing, you know taking little pieces and making a big piece.(sorry i'm in the modular buiss.)
Very attractive and cost effective idea though. What you need is somone to draw up multiple plans let customer tell you what they want you to build that fits your building blocks.
ED
Me again
Lufos look at modular housing today boxy is out with a good plasma you could have any shape you want. Sorry don't mean to ramble so much but this concept is great.
Think CAPE, 2 Story, Ofset 2 story the list goes on my friend.
ED
Sounds brilliant. Providing supply for a demand. Give me one to live in and provide me with money for food and groceries and I will move there from Iowa to help you with whatever you need. I'm 18 with nothing to lose. Anyway, sounds like a great idea. Insulation would be one thing i could see being a problem. Bolting them down to a concrete slab? As far as cosmetic appeal, what will be done? I sure wouldn't want to live in one that is fresh off the docks... but dressed up they could look very contemporary. Would lightning be an issue? The whole house would have to be well grounded, I'd assume. Would it be carpeted? And would you also have to lay a subfloor? Some people love different, some do not. I know I'd choose one if the price was right.
Chase
Hay Zeus, you all, are fast. I am impressed. If you all learn Spanish you can come and work for me anyday, excuse me. Work with me.
Mr. Mike,
Stop laughing two heads indeed. As to Hud. I do not wish to play their game, I think us simple citizens can do a better job then they ever dreamt of. All they have ever done is keep the Absentee Landlord System working which creates slums. Time we taught them something. about absorption of low income persons into an upward mobile pattern. It is not done with projects, it is done in infill.
Hibby 76,
Foundation is full perimiter use 1" bolts inserted into foundation at time of continuous pour every 4 ft. . PSI 3,500, I use a mix for fast drying. 4 no 5 R bar horizontal all the way. 18" into soil (so far) and 22" above. I am fat and I need space to crawl.
Insulation is R9 in walls R13 in ceiling. I am checking that again cause I think it is a little light. On the roof at each corner is a misty sprinkler which can be turned on during the times you wish it would rain. I also use the system for fireprevention. I load the reserve tank with a heavy water additive makes it stick so when the big fires come, and they will, you have a cocoon of water all over structure. Works for Air Force so I shhhh stole the idea.
The house for me is double story on front. The top is all glass one side with turbos to roof area. A windy steel staircase goes to lower street level. Big sign goes on it. If your measurements are 36-24-35 you may climb these stairs.
Jackman
You got it North Phily is yours, and just so you know I care. I waive the downpayment and you can work out the payments. I am also sending you a bullet proof vest and a modified for civilian use gatling gun so that you will fit right in.with the neighbors.
Elock, Noh Baca San
Now you are very clever, I studied Lafcaidos book on Japan and then I went and talked to the lady that seems to be building all the mfg houses over there. I am copying her system. A client comes down sits in front of a CAD and the operator assembles a complete response to her living pattern, goes over it and then Client signs, deposit check and the house starts down the rollers.
Now thats what I would like after I get about 60 built. If it was good enough for Ford, it is sure good enough for me. I think that the final solution might be a semi mobile factory set up. We tie all sits together by computer and grind out custom housing for every client. If the lady looks pregnant we add a room.
Most correct except you are way ahead of me. I will of course come see you as we start to go full National Distribution.
Of course I have my eye on a slum called Anfield in Liverpool England. The old counsel houses are being removed and slowly so there is an infill situation there. I want to get those lots one by one and long term lease them back to people who buy our houses. If it was good enough for Mr. Crown and Mr. Church I am willing to copy the English concept of long term leasing. Hell my forefathers wore the funny pointed hats and stole land from the Indians.
Thank you very much, but do not stop now. I have so much to learn. Of course what I should do is date older women and learn, but alas at 81, all the older ones are so quiet, they just lay there with there arms crossed.
Thanks again Lucius
Hi, Lucius
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
You have probably explored this already but this is my best vision without hallucinating on low-grade pot!
I would paint them in various pastel colors similar to what you might see on traditional housing. I would accent the windows with flower boxes and/or shutters or at least have an option for these. If you have a model set up I see simple landscaping with hedges below the windows and flowers planted or in pots near the doorway.
Jeanna told me she has pictures of your creations, but she hasn't sent them to me yet. She said they were very impressive so I hope my vision does them justice.
Warmest regards to you,
Ed
Just one question? Have you thought about a finished basement? That would be SwEEEEt!! One of the Units in Kuwait earlier this year tried to put a Camel in one and bring it home (it died) make sure you use proper HVAC.
We call them ISO's though not modulars.
OH! Yeah! We used them as Bunkers too when those really big bombs where comin" down range
JIm [ Edited by killenjw on Date 12/03/2003 ]
Ruman, 18 and nothing to do my god man the world is yours enjoy it.
We do not use a slab cause we are a box. we bolt onto a perimeter foundation see posting prior to Mr. Mike.
Good idea thinking of lightning. As an Ex fighter pilot I am afraid of fire and lighning. Then I have to fly along on dark and story nights with wet pants. Here is what I do. I sink two six ft rods made out of copper. One on each side of the boxes and I tie a line to the water system for a ground to ground. So you have two rods and if a lightening strike hits the dwelling it travels down to earth and to ground on the copper rods. Good thinking. You know I always wondered when I was a kid why Benjamin Franklin did not get fried playing with a kite and a key. Oh well, maybe it was because he was a charter member of a famous english club for men. The Hellfire Club.
Look it up. Gives you a whole new slant on history.
Dear Ed, nice hearing from you. I know there is a touch of humor in which you propose but you are one hundred percent correct. It brings to this Industrial Expression of structure here in the year 2004 a return to nature and a vintage design which incorporates shutters of dark green, hedges trimed well and flowers of color. I like it. Damn Ed you better come and help me design some of the interiors. Imagine this highly sparse interior with dramatic BauHaus items An Ames Chair and Ottoman, a Knoll tulip table and Barcelona chairs. Then in the corner we put an old Windsor Chair with the arm on it covered with green velvet on which some old Pilgrim wrote sermons. Guess what I dun got it. Thats what I am putting in mine and your exterior additions I am also going to use. Thanks Ed, hope to see you soon.
Your Pal Lucius
Hi Jim
A Camel, my only comment, must have been Marines. I mean these boxes are tight, we have a small blower system which keeps air in circulation at all times.
Kuwait, damn man you make me homesick for sand. I can hardly remember my Dursi, Pushtu and Arabic Yes I also miss Afghanistan. Ah the taste of warm Beer and a Scorpian in your bed, the lovely slithery feel of sweat in your eyes from the funny pancake hat I always wore so some sniper would think I was his brother. I spent some R and R time in Kuwait. Mostly I drank.
My best to everybody. I know you want a basement. Bombs do that to a guy. But alas I cannot swing it I got to hold the price down so that the newly arrived just off the back of a coyote can swing it.
Hang in my friend. Lucius
I need a drink after reading that....make that two.
Hey Lufos,
Earth sheltering would be nice too. Take the southern wall and put dirt against it so it would stay cool in these Phx summers.
I would love to see pictures! And of course these containers go on the back of a semi so you can deliver them anywhere.
Great Idea!!!!
Best,
Ryno[ Edited by Ryno-n-AZ on Date 12/04/2003 ]
I'm sure if the price is right, and if HUD accepts it, you may be on to somthing..
Where do you buy these containers, and how much are they? you struck a little bit of interest in me...
[addsig]
When I think of houses that are fireproof, termite proof, bulletproof and float, plus can be inhabitate by multiple creatures it reminds me Noah's Arc.
If I was you, I would change my name to Noah , call my business Noah's Arc Building, make houses look accordingly and then you have a 1000 ways to market this.
Dear Brandon
Make that three and a mild sasparila for my cat. Lucius
Ryno
In Apache Junction. Earth Shelter may not be enough. I would dig into the side of a hill and make a cave house with North Exposure. of course you can learn to love horses and turn Apache and spend your winters down south with our brothers the Yaqui. When I was a kid my Grandfather a language freek would take me out your way to spend time on reservation. First time I ever saw dirt heads. You know you pour water on your head and then dirt, let it cake into a head protection. Better then sunstroke. Ah the happy poverty striken days of youth. I really loved it.
Pusha Lucius
Dear Birddog 1, (Realty Analyst)
I have a problem with Hud, and I am one of their acredited Brokers. I watch their prior attempts to supply lowcost housing and it seemed to me that they did nothing but perpetuate the creation of slums. Also as they terminate their deals they free and enable the landlords to increase rental rates and that causes a hardship. Also they do not let their appraisers properly appraise always they come in with the amount similar to the amount of the foreclosure sale. So I am just going to do this the old fashioned capitalistic way.
oops I am on a soapbox. forgive me you touched a noive.
I buy them from shipping companies. You can buy them about $1,500 each retail. my house takes 3 of the 40's and 1 of the 20's I buy them much cheaper but I buy damaged and on site repair.
Dear Olga
Did you get the house? Still working on it? Sounds wonderful. I am envious.
Noah's Ark. an Arc is like a curved line.
God you must set a good example and spell correctly, if you keep this up people will think you are a native of California where spelling is not a primary skill.
Give my luv to Foster City.
My best to alll Lucius
Lucius,
Here in South West Florida it is often illegal to put up billboards on construction sites. It is legal and indeed polite to hide your equipment that is normally all over your contruction site so the neighbors don't have have to look at all that unsitely mess. The solution is to use high cube containers. Of course they are not very attractive.
We have, however, a unique solution. On the spot where we will build a twelve unit condo, we put four containers - two on top of two. We then PRINT the image of a fine looking condo and shrink wrap the containers with this image.
Potential buyers get to see a fine looking rendition of ther future home, and code enforcers area a bit puzzeld with how to react. ( " You don't want this building material all over the lot do you?"
There are a few shrink wrapped to look like the amenities building, one for the boat house, etc.
Now I give this idea to you Lucius. Your buyers can pick from a book of images and you can wrap the buildings to look like - let's say a French Villa, A California Tract Home, or indeed you can blend the building into the surroundings and make it look like a burnt out forest, for example. With digital imaging the possibilities are endless.
Gregg
_________________
Gregg Fous
Investor/Developer
"Developers Make it Happen"
[ Edited by GFous on Date 12/04/2003 ][ Edited by GFous on Date 12/09/2003 ]
Dear Gregg,
What a wonderful Idea. I like it. Would it not be fun to do the Palace at Versailles and then produce a crummy little calif nux vomica special? Trump where are you?
I was on the internet to a friend of mine who is getting set to develop in a slummy part of Germany. The port of Bremenhauven if I spell it right. Seems it has hit on hard times as it is a big container depot and they are piling up like crazy. So he has been experimenting with containers, only he goes full bore backwards. He is changing them around to look like classic german farm dwellings. I mean to the point of fake roof lines, quaint looks. Half doors. By the time he finishes cost wise he is dead. Soo he is reduced to getting out there with a torch and cutting steel and welding doubles together etc. He ends up with a space ship looking item and he is standing there looking at it wondering what comes next. The Burgermeister of the town drives by and flips. He loves it. Gives Hans a check and orders five more for a cluster. go figure. Lucius
Dear Lucius,
You win .
Ark, ark, ark, ark!!! Sounds like a dog barking. I am Californian, and shhh-shhh I am still not www.American.I am Russian/Israeli.
But agree with me, that is not a bad idea to compare this to Noah'c Arc. Hhhhh sorry, ARK.
----
About the house will talk with the owners tomorrow. They rented the house to elderly care facility,so they don't show up there frequently.
The secon house, was sold by his owner "Subject to" and now the current owners do not care that some else will have wrecked credit - will be foreclosed on.[ Edited by Olga on Date 12/04/2003 ]
I thought you were just pulling our legs until I did a search for "shipping container house" on google.
Check out http://www.addis.co.nz/container-architecture.html
Addis containers seems to have a side business selling these containers for housing. Crazy world!
Then I even found this:
Home Sweet Shipping Crate
By Rebecca Langton
For the Journal
The concept was simple: to use empty metal shipping containers that pile up on the docks in California as building blocks for a low-cost home.
For a trio of University of New Mexico architecture students, the concept turned into an award-winning idea.
Marcus Bushong, Leslie Ford and Jim Fox developed the design as their entry in the HOME House Project, a home design competition sponsored by the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Arts in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The competition received more than 440 entries from individuals and teams from seven countries. The UNM students' design, drawn in just one week, was one of 25 winners.
Using Habitat for Humanity guidelines, the competition sought new approaches to low-cost, environmentally friendly housing. The target for building each design was $68,000, excluding the price of land.
That's where the shipping containers fit in.
"Because of the trade deficit, the ports in the U.S. receive many shipping crates" from overseas, says Geoffrey Adams, assistant professor in the UNM School of Architecture and Planning who advised the students.
"Los Angeles ports receive one crate every second," added Karen King, a professor who also advised the students.
After being emptied, the containers are left unused by the shipping industry. They are widely available and can be obtained very inexpensively or free.
The containers are about 8 feet high, 8 feet wide and 40 feet long. They originally held goods imported into the United States from Asia.
Each container would become a large, load-bearing space, which could remain as open space, without the need for extra structural support.
"And the large crates offer a proportionately elegant space," said King.
Once the containers were in place, the only work left to do would be to install insulation and finish the inside walls. Fox added, "The floor of the crates are made of mahogany wood."
The 1,250-square-foot plan is meant to sit on concrete piers. The style is contemporary, with a 1950s retro touch. The students' design finishes the exterior with corrugated sheet metal, a very low-maintenance material.
The house plan has several clerestory windows to let in light and create an illusion of larger space.
"The open design lends to neighborhood interactions, which is a concept endorsed by Habitat and is seen in their neighborhood schemes," said Ford.
The UNM project originated with 12 students working together. Twelve designs— one for each student— emerged but were narrowed down to four. Bushong, Ford and Fox worked on the winning design.
"The teams supported each other's ideas through discussion and criticism, learning from each other throughout the entire process," Bushong said. "It was a crazy week."
"It's important to remember that this was the third architecture project for these students to have worked on— ever," King said. "This competitive process was an opportunity for the students to learn about structures, graphics, design and building."
The HOME House Project challenged students to create an imaginative, contemporary design and make it affordable, she said.
The HOME House Project designs will be exhibited Oct. 19 at the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Arts in North Carolina. Drawings of 100 of the designs will travel around the country, beginning this winter.
Adams said she is trying to get the HOME House Project exhibit for the UNM School of Architecture and Planning.
[ Edited by The-Rehabinator on Date 12/04/2003 ]
Lucius
You randy old turkey, sounds like you've stirred up interest all over the place with your tin boxes.
I might just have to make a trip down to lala land just to inspect your finished product.
Keep up the good work, you & I have to teach die kinder how it should really be done.
Merchant
Lucius
You randy old turkey, sounds like you've stirred up interest all over the place with your tin boxes.
I might just have to make a trip down to lala land just to inspect your finished product.
Keep up the good work, you & I have to teach die kinder how it should really be done.
Merchant
http://www.lot-ek.com/
They've got a pre-fab unit for sale already... go to "products section."
I got an architect friend of mine to draw up some schematics, I'll post em when I scan em. They're low-income unites, completely scalable and modular.
Gamando,
I appreciate your help and of course I went to a lecture of Ada and Guseppi who are the partners Lot-EK. They gave a lecture at Woodbury School of Arch in San Diego, so I drove down. Very interesting they are artisticaly right on the cutting edge. I bought there little book which is sitting on my desk beside me. They are sort of leading the parade at this time, but for the actual production of housing I think it is best to back off a bit and throw a little more space into each house. Thats why I am doing two containers parallel which gives me 16 ft in width for those portions of the house in which many people will gather, Kitchen area, Dining area Living area which sort of all combine into what I call a "Great Room"
Things have slowly changed in modern housing, we no longer sit around a fire looking into the flames waiting for a Salamander to jump out. We sit around an entertainment center with a biggy flat screen TV, lots of DVD, wonderful sound that would blow the shell of a turtle. Still the same but slightly different focus. I supose I could make some deep Zen type comment but frankly it would be BS.
Cheers Lucius
Correct Mr. Lucius
Muscles Are Required Intelligence Not Essential. <-- See Can't even spell!
Kuwait was nice but Iraqi sand is what you need to see. The stuff looks like a mixture between a dry lake bed and 10 year old ribeye. ( The ribeyes for color).
We didn't have beer though so most of the guys were pretty PEEEEddd!
Jim
Okay - Here is another use :
Temporary container town solves Miami's need for display space
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Marilyn Bauer
The Cincinnati Enquirer
So many galleries, so little space.
One of the frustrations of many Cincinnati artists is what they say is a dearth of places to show their work. Mark Fox recently told me he could count the number of spaces on four fingers. Studio space is plentiful and comparatively inexpensive, which is why some artists cooperatively rent out space at say the Pendleton to show (not do) their work. It's also, I've been told, why many artists stay in town.
The same lack of sales space occurs at biennials and art fairs. So many galleries, so little space. Well, Art Basel Miami Beach (Dec. 5-8), one of the must-see shows this year, wins my vote for the most innovative solution.
The first-time show, a sister event to Art Basel Switzerland held at the Miami Convention Center, will offer 20 galleries shipping containers in which to show their work. These cutting-edge dealers will set up in South Beach - a short walk from the convention center - grouped into a container village.
The village is a cost-efficient format for new art, and more than 60 international applications came in for the 20 spaces.
The standardized shipping crates had to meet the strict safety regulations of the Miami buildings and fire departments, so Basel architects Steinmann & Schmid lined the containers with white wood walls, left room for shelving and hung silver-colored plastic sheets over each "white cube" to protect the containers from the elements.
And each crate has electrical outlets, air conditioning and space for a gallery sign.
Not really sure what to say. WOW
These sound like a great idea! Reminds me of the old Lustron homes built in the late 40's. Porcelan panel houses that just snapped together like a big erector set, exterior, interior, roof, and fixtures. the perfect rental as they look the same now as they did when built 50+ years ago with almost no maint. They are all over the Midwest.
Lucius,
Living in Hollywood I would purchase some land open up "Cryonics Containers Acres."
My marketing would be for all those aspiring actors that did not make it, this is because your role has not been written yet. Come freeze with us and when the script is written for you, we will thaw you out.
Just stack the wannabe's in the containers for $500 a month, I didn't do the numbers on this but renting space is definitely is better than selling. If you could talk with C.B. Demille and for all I know you do, he would tell you there are enough takers for this.
John $Cash$ Locke
Ah Locke you are a hard man.
Of course the biggest problem we have out here is telling the living from the dead, that is actors you know. A wooden performance is the now existing standard of performance.
I gave a lecture on the B of B at one of our local highschools. While waiting around for the History Class to form, I was sitting in a classroom full of would be actors. The Instructor suggests that to warm up and get in the mood they should give an imitation of say a flower or perhaps an animal, just about anything. So some smart a$$ kid stands up and says, "OK teach, I want to give an imitation of a tree." The Instructor looks at him for a minute, sighs real deep and replys, " Fine Jo, just hold your hands up in the air and play yourself!"
Well I started laughing I almost fell out of my chair. I went up to the Instructor and said. "Now you deserve a break and if you want to go up the street and have lunch with me I'm buying."
Anyway after I gave my little talk, I picked her up and took her to a new very in trendy dendy place loaded with movie types and made her day. God did she deserve it. Once a boy scout always a boy scout.
Avec modernity Lucus
Quote:
On 2004-01-04 14:22, plumzany wrote:
These sound like a great idea! Reminds me of the old Lustron homes built in the late 40's. Porcelan panel houses that just snapped together like a big erector set, exterior, interior, roof, and fixtures. the perfect rental as they look the same now as they did when built 50+ years ago with almost no maint. They are all over the Midwest.
Dear PlumZany,
Lustron a name from the past. If you would be kind enough to go take a picture of one and some of the inside if possible. then e.Mail to this posting, I would be happy to send you a check for your costs and a little extra for your time.
I am still learning and that was a really great time in housing.
I await with baited, er bated breath.
Lucius
Hi Lucius! I would certainly love to take you up on your offer, In fact i would consider it something of a coup. But it's easier to just do a search for Lustron and you can come up with a several websites and articles, with pictures. I actually lived in one back in the mid 70's.
In the Early 90"s i did some reseach into their history trying to find out if the original tooling might still be setting in some warehouse forgotten. I didn't realize how old they were. Thought they would make GREAT rentals or export items. The story was facinating, government corruption, kickbacks, scandal on a grand scale. The concept was super, the ones i see still look the same as when erected 50-odd years ago.
There has been a resugence of interest in them lately, the most notable a grassroots effort to save 40-50 at Camp Lejune (I think) that were going to be torn down. Some have actually been designated historical. I would take all I could get my hands on.
If you can't find the pictures online, I'll drive by one and take pictures.
Cheers! Marty