Shiny Toybox

[Barry2952]

I was lurking about this site a couple of years ago while looking for a travel trailer to convert into a "Toybox". My show car is 18-feet long and 6' 5 1/2" long. It also weighs in at a beastly 5,300 pounds.

I had some unusual ideas about opening up the back of an Airstream but it was very complicated. Craig Dorsey suggested that I look at the Spartanette trailers because the "canned ham" shape lent iself to being opened up like clamshell.

Craig had a Spartanette Tandem he was willing to convert for me but I would have had very little lounge space on that model. I found that the Royal Spartanette was 7 feet longer giving me a living space of 11 feet and garage space of 21 feet.

I found a virtually dent free '51 Royal Spartanette that had spent it entire life outdoors which left it with a nice thick patina. When I gutted it I found out all about dissimilar metals as the vast majority of the steel screws that attached the aluminum ribbing to the wood studs has literally disappeared. I installed 2,000 new fasteners to stabilize the body before lifting it off the old chassis.

If you're interested I've documented the project at:

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/340096/5



P.S. I'm looking for a master riveter in the Detroit area.

Barry Wolk
Farmington Hills, MI

[swebster]

OK. You win....best project I've seen. Can't wait to see the finished interior.

[SilverToy]

Wow Barry -

I am exhausted just following along with your terrific documentation about the trailer resto....! What a job you are doing!!! Stunned, is the only accurate representation.

BTW - Had a 62 Continental, 4 door hardtop, years ago. Was the original Champagne exterior with a Taupe Leather interior. My uncle (mechanic) helped me with the mechanical repairs, took it to lots of LCOC meets, even was on the board for about 2 years. Met lots of GREAT people including Jere DeBaker and Frank Monhart. Collectors of old and significant Lincolns, one and all. What great memories!

Thanks Barry, for binging all that back! Would love to see more of your beauties - trailer and Lincoln(s?)!

Ciao

Axel

[Barry2952]

I was looking for a mid-'60s slab-side Lincoln convertible when I found my Mark II convertible on e-bay. I have fond memories about those car, too.

This is the car that will be transported in the Royal Spartanette "toybox".



1956 Continental Mark II convertible