We were fortunate to get our 60 trdwnd in original condition and nice .
Ive kept it original as it came from the factory mostly except for the split rims,LP tanks and some minor things even period add ons ,fun stuff .
It does have a later model dometic fridge ,be cool to have the original .
I like the vintage feel of these trailers .That said ,alot of trailers as found are
in not so nice condition and then open up a clean slate of upgrades and
designs suitable to ones tastes ,giving freedom to do whatever you want.
So it does depend on the condition as found really .The fun of these vintage units is seeing the classic timeless outside beauty of the trailer ,then go in
and see the many styles and tastes ,be it retro ,original ,updated ,modern
or futuristic .I myself would go with Insideout's idea as posted ,that makes the most sense I think ,and inline with others posts as well.
We were fortunate to get our 60 trdwnd in original condition and nice .
Ive kept it original as it came from the factory mostly except for the split rims,LP tanks and some minor things even period add ons ,fun stuff .
Ditto here with our '64 Bambi II. The interior was mostly pristine so we left the floorplan and cabinets, as is. We were lucky to in that the zolatone is 100% original and intact. Most of the resto work we engaged in was related to plumbing, propane, upholstery, curtains and, of course, polishing!
you know, been thinking more about this. i had actually planned on doing our trotter up to look original, since the 18 footer is going to be really custom...
... but i just can't shake the "make it yours" bug... in short, there's no right or wrong, i guess...
I guess I'm echoing most everyone else, but I too feel it depends on the condition in which it was found. I was also fortunate like Scott of scottanlily. The original PO must have really cared for my 1960 TW. It was in fairly good shape when it fell into the hands of the last POs who left the vintage interior/appliances intact but replaced softgoods and carpeted. It was exactly what I wanted for my first AS. I wouldn't want to change a thing. Except I did replace the plastic toilet with a Sealand china toilet. The original was long gone. But if I found a gutted AS with good bones I would customize rather than restore to original. It would be like having a blank canvas, freedom to express creativity and style. What a blast.
Yeah, I agree A-Merry-Can, vintage or not, restored or customized, you've got to make it your own. Like InsideOut, I would like one of each!
Like the old "Street Rodder" I am, I will leave my 55 Flying Cloud looking as original as possible outside (except wheels, lights, etc) and totally gut and update the inside with all modern appliances and finshes. Of course this was made easier to decide given the condition my trailer was in. The former owner used it as a hunting camp trailer complete with a 110V window unit....
The more I think about it the more I keep coming back to the thought that Wally himself was constantly innovating and changing the trailers to meet the needs of the people who used them. He encouraged them to tell him what needed to be altered to make them as functional and enjoyable as they could be. Heck, in thecatsandI's latest pictures from the factory there's Wally's anodized trailer - quite a variance from the norm. And you could literally order a very customized trailer right from the factory if the standard build did not meet your desires and it is only the factory's desire to standardize production to keep costs and other aspects controlled that has limited this ability. So I guess I'm firmly in the campground that's filled with the modifieds. It's not the sameness of them that makes them so neat, it is the unique and often subtle alterations owners have made over the years to make them functionally superior to the original that makes each one a pleasure to see IMHO.
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