47 Spartan Manor restoration

[elewayne]

Interiors in those were just so nice and classic it's a shame to loose that. On the other hand it depends, to me, on condition. I bought a 67 Silver Streak with a trash interior because I wanted to start over with a nicer interior that they ever had. Personally I think the SS interiors were just ugly and probably part of the reason for their demise. I have an architect working on mine with me. yours could still use modernization though, to get it into the 21 century. That can be a good thing. good luck with it.

[lewster]

I also have a Spartan in just about the same shape as yours; a 1949 25' with twin axles. I just picked it up over the summer. It has a very nice interior in many spots that look so cool I am keeping them. I also have removed the large heater, extending the closet next to it and making the rear space a full bath.

This takes work and I don't have a lot of time to do it. I think that I'll be done in a couple of years, but we'll see. The only thing missing from this one are the front windows, which are plexiglass and easily replaced!

Good luck with your interior! It takes a lot of effort to restore one of these, but you will be rewarded in the end when you have a fully functioning trailer from the late 40's.

Good luck!!

[Flyin Finn]

I'm starting to get the bug to get back to work on the Spartan, if the snow ever melts. Almost mid April and still a foot of snow on the ground.

Here are a few pictures I took last fall.

Jeff

[PKI]

Should not need to catch a bug to work on that beauty? It must be really cold outside. Really, really cold. A real beauty. Pat

[PaulnGina]

Beautiful... just beautiful!! If I was to ever get another aluminum trailer, it would be a Spartan!

[PaulnGina]

Also, should have mentioned: One of the things I LOVE about Spartans is the interior woodwork. If yours is in good shape, I would vote for keeping it!

[OTRA15]

Wow!

Amazing images of a fine restoration of the aluminum.

[TouringDan]

Flying Finn

Beautiful trailer. You are doing a wonderful job on it.

I suspect that it may be fairly heavy considering it is only a single axle. I would recommend that you install a Dexter torsion axle with 16” wheels with Michelin tires and disc brakes. This would be best for a positive and safe towing experience.

I would definitely install a full bath with hot and cold water.

Here is a nice one I got to park next to on the Blue Ridge Parkway 2 years ago.

Dan

[PLVMB]

Originally Posted by PKI

Original

A similar coach was renovated by an Oregon firm. Saw the summary on a program about it the other day. They had to buy a complete extra coach to get the window cranks. It was also interesting that they stopped by Coker tire prior to delivery. Very impressive coaches. Pat

The Cranks are Ford

[LittleJohn]

Yes yes beautiful! I agree keep it as original as possible but with modern and safer hidden features. One thing I did on our ‘49 Royal Mansion was get rid of the fluorescent light in the cupboards and put in an adhesive backed LED strip adheared to a 1/8” t piece of finished birch plywood. It works very well.
I have a question about your furnace. I too have a fuel oil furnace (International Furnace Co) in out ‘49 Spartan and would like to know a bit more about it. Good? Bad? Expensive to have refurbished? It looks to be to be in very good condition.