I know this isn't the place for it, but............. I came accross your post (early '50's Columbia... Western Holly "Californian" range) while trying to find info on my 1959(?) Columbia with the same stove.
Do you have any info on this trailer or know where I should look?
My husband wants to scrap it, and i'm trying to convince him somebody may want it. Even tho' it is "ancient", it is still in fairly good condition and quit usable. Some of the birchwood (?) pannelling needs to be refinished, but the trailer is intact with the exception of the fridge and LR & bedroom builtins.
The good thing is, hopefully I'll only have to do this part once..
The masonite underbelly actually looked great from the outside. All this just for six wires and a couple pipes. Holding tank installation will be interesting. The toilet is less than six inches behind the front axle. I'm thinking a four inch suspension lift is in order. The Linco torsion axles are only a couple inches from the frame.
__________________ 1960 Airstream Caravel 18' 1953 Spartanette Tandem 131 #67. 1961 Holiday House Model 20 1961 Holiday House Model 19 (sold) 1960 Holiday House Model 19 (sold) 1959 Kenskill 18' (For Sale) In search of a Spartanette Model 24, and Spartanette Tandem 130 in the PNW.
I've been super busy as usual, so trailer time is limited, and my other trailers have been demanding what little time I have lately.
We had to quit playing house with the Spartanette and get this 56 year old linoleum back in shape. We removed all the furniture and stripped it twice, then scrubbed every inch with scotchbrite to get all the old carpet glue, stains, mold, varnish, and whatever else removed. Took me at least ten hours on my knees. Three coats of wax later and it's looking decent again. It curled up at the edges of the tiles where stripper got underneath but as it drys out it's settling down again and isn't as brittle as it was before.
Before...
After...
__________________ 1960 Airstream Caravel 18' 1953 Spartanette Tandem 131 #67. 1961 Holiday House Model 20 1961 Holiday House Model 19 (sold) 1960 Holiday House Model 19 (sold) 1959 Kenskill 18' (For Sale) In search of a Spartanette Model 24, and Spartanette Tandem 130 in the PNW.
What a beauty. I often wonder what lil jewels are out there in that condition. Hopefully we see it hauling down the hiway someday. Love the 92 or 93 Dodge cummins too.. I have one myself.. same color and style.
Since I had everything out of the inside, I decided it was time to attack the trailer's worst blemish. It had a huge dent in the right front. They have short tongues and someone probably jack knifed into it. Almost every Spartanette I've seen had similar damage.
I removed the interior window frame and front wall panel which needed to be done anyway to locate a couple window leaks. I'm sticking to my "keep it original" plan and will refinish the original panel vs. replace it.
I have to say I'm pretty happy with the results. The dent went deep into a corner and also smashed an aluminum stud. There is still a 2" skin puncture that I'll have to deal with but overall it worked out well.
Before.
You can see how hard it was to get in and work that corner out.
After...
I still have a puncture to deal with and there is a sand paper scar where there was a nasty scrape from impact. Not perfect but a whole lot better!
My secret tools are a dead blow hammer, hand dolly, a cast iron spring equalizer off an old trailer, (had the perfect shape and length to work out the corner) a couple large crescent wrenches, (the curved jaw is an excellent way get into hard to reach places and work out curved areas) a half deflated mini basketball to roll out and stretch larger areas, and a tennis ball.
Since the aluminum is stretched, it is likely to pop back in so I fit a shimmed section of 1/4" plywood very, very tightly behind the skin to keep it rigid. Once I get the interior wall panel, new insulation back in, and the window frame polished, this little phase of the project will be done.
__________________ 1960 Airstream Caravel 18' 1953 Spartanette Tandem 131 #67. 1961 Holiday House Model 20 1961 Holiday House Model 19 (sold) 1960 Holiday House Model 19 (sold) 1959 Kenskill 18' (For Sale) In search of a Spartanette Model 24, and Spartanette Tandem 130 in the PNW.
Very cool trailer. Love it. Are you going to tow it or use it as a "Vacation detination" somewhere?
Annette
No more sitting around for this old girl. As soon as she's back up to snuff she's gonna be on the road.
__________________ 1960 Airstream Caravel 18' 1953 Spartanette Tandem 131 #67. 1961 Holiday House Model 20 1961 Holiday House Model 19 (sold) 1960 Holiday House Model 19 (sold) 1959 Kenskill 18' (For Sale) In search of a Spartanette Model 24, and Spartanette Tandem 130 in the PNW.
New shoes for my baby! Time to get this stuff out of the garage and back into the trailer now that the floor is done.
Fun new retro shower curtain that matches better than the pic shows.
__________________ 1960 Airstream Caravel 18' 1953 Spartanette Tandem 131 #67. 1961 Holiday House Model 20 1961 Holiday House Model 19 (sold) 1960 Holiday House Model 19 (sold) 1959 Kenskill 18' (For Sale) In search of a Spartanette Model 24, and Spartanette Tandem 130 in the PNW.
Got the bedroom all back together, complete with new bedding and these neat little half shade sconces I found on ebay for $5 each. Gave the woodwork another good rubdown so I had to snap a few pics.
The curtains have to go. I just can't find the material I want that's not $70yd!
The view of the ceiling from the bed.
__________________ 1960 Airstream Caravel 18' 1953 Spartanette Tandem 131 #67. 1961 Holiday House Model 20 1961 Holiday House Model 19 (sold) 1960 Holiday House Model 19 (sold) 1959 Kenskill 18' (For Sale) In search of a Spartanette Model 24, and Spartanette Tandem 130 in the PNW.
Haven't posted any pics since getting the interior straightened up again and woodwork shined up. Still working on plumbing and the underbelly. Happy 4th of July!
__________________ 1960 Airstream Caravel 18' 1953 Spartanette Tandem 131 #67. 1961 Holiday House Model 20 1961 Holiday House Model 19 (sold) 1960 Holiday House Model 19 (sold) 1959 Kenskill 18' (For Sale) In search of a Spartanette Model 24, and Spartanette Tandem 130 in the PNW.
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1994 F-350 Crew 7.3 IDI Turbo, C6, Dually
What a wonderful job, it looks GREAT. Kudo's galore!!!
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