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airdreamers · 01-16-2010, 06:36 PM

Very cool! To be original is to be envied. Keep up the originality.

Bill

SJ1 · 01-17-2010, 06:10 AM

Thanks for the new photos and report. The Spartanette is lovely!

47WeeWind · 01-17-2010, 08:51 AM

All the exterior lights look great, especially the taillights. You have done a beautiful keeping the vintage look while upgrading the exterior lights to modern specifications.

Did you rewire both rear tail light sockets to work the same with a dual filament LED bulbs in each spcket, coming half-on for tail lights and all-on for brake/turn signal lights? What model LED bulbs did you use for the tail lights and the various running light positions (excluding the license plate light)?

I'm also impressed how bright the rear tail lights appear from the sides, an important consideration IMO. Again, very nice job! Thanks for sharing.

ST131 · 01-17-2010, 02:09 PM

Thank you. Yes, I'm very pleased with the LED's and the supplier. My main reason for using them is for safety. The glass tails are cool looking and old school but I was worried about visibility. The last thing I want after restoring this trailer is to be rear ended on the road. If you've been to their website you'll see they have a large variety and it can be a little confusing. They offer bulbs with different amounts of diodes and projection angles. For the tails I went with the 1157-R24-WV. (wide viewing angle) They have 24 diodes each and project 360 degrees radially as well as rearward. This bulb is about the same diameter as a standard 1156 or 1157 so they fit inside my lenses and matched the light difusers in the lenses perfectly. I did use new dual filament sockets in the tails so each tail has two dual circuit bulbs for maximum visibility. The markers are 67-A15, red and amber. Also wide projection versions. The cost of these bulbs is only about double what regular bulbs cost. I did a lot of reading and there are some real crappy LED's out there. These folks offer top quality stuff and stand behind it. I did a comparison with 1157's on one side and LED's on the other. I'd estimate the LED's are 40-50% brighter and I was surprised at how warm and true the light was vs. what you see on big trucks etc, which tend to appear more harsh and pinkish. Again, I'm extremely pleased.

ST131 · 01-18-2010, 10:32 PM

This is what I love about Spartans. They made all their own furniture at the factory and it's good stuff. I refinished out a couple pieces over the weekend. I used the same finish as Spartan did. Amber Shellac. Spartans woodwork is too beautiful to do any other way. Sand, strip, shellac, sand, shellac, sand, shellac... Repeat if necessary.
The nightstand shows a little darker than it is because I used the flash to show the grain, plus I'm not real handy with a camera..

Here's a couple before and after pics of my first two pieces. Many more to go. Don't worry, I won't post them all.

I'm a motorhead, not a woodworker so I was pleased with the results. Notice my state of the art setup on the garage floor..

If I can do this, anyone can.
Don.

As found.

Ready for the first coat.

Done.

Nightstand as found.

Done.

A-Merry-Can · 01-18-2010, 11:00 PM

great looking trailer! I love the old Spartans.

slowmover · 01-19-2010, 04:05 AM

I think this right at the top for "cool" among all trailers found on this site. I may come back and say it again . . and keep up the Spartan info!

dieseleagle · 01-19-2010, 04:56 AM

Great job. The pieces look terrific. Shellac is hard to work with. It dries so doggone fast that my work always comes out lumpy unless I really thin it down.

SJ1 · 01-20-2010, 01:05 AM

You do lovely work! Thanks for showing the photos. Your cabinets are beautiful.

Minnie's Mate · 01-20-2010, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airslide

It looks like a nice setup. I didnt know about the vent and thought the only source of exhaust was through a cracked window.

Those are great results in those cold temperatures.
Thanks for educating us..

Vinnie

You may be thinking about a catalytic heater. They aren't vented to the outside and do require a small open window to replenish the interior's oxygen supply. Typically you open a window slightly at the opposite end of the trailer so that the heat will flow toward the opening. In newer applications the source of fresh air is usually one of the roof vents with the fan turned off.

Hope this is what you were thinking and not me just taking up band width with my limited knowledge of such things.

I think you are doing a great job with the restoration. Thanks for saving a piece of history for your generation and one day a future generation.

easyride · 01-20-2010, 03:54 PM

Love the work you are doing,I need to print out the entire thread for reference,for when I get around to doing my 48 24',keep up the good work,I need all the help I can get. Dave

cyafishin · 01-22-2010, 12:08 AM

st131 nice job!!! Wanted to ask your opinion. I have the chance to buy a 1950 spartanette tandem (twin bed). Like you I live in Oregon (Eugene), but it is located out on the east coast. It is in great shape based on the pics i have seen.No exterior issues, really nice interior w/o leaks and original interior complete. It has been in use at a campground. It appears well maintained. I have never pulled a camp trailer greater than 20 feet. How has your experience been pulling this trailer?
Thanks

ST131 · 01-22-2010, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyafishin

I have never pulled a camp trailer greater than 20 feet. How has your experience been pulling this trailer?
Thanks

PM sent.

Cadillac1978 · 02-11-2010, 11:34 AM

What a gorgeous original Spartanette! I think it's the first one I've seen that has the original couch & end tables still in place. In fact, it appears to have all it's original furniture - still in place. What a fantastic find! In my experience, pictures may cover up some damage - but, they generally don't look as good as the "in person" experience does (green shag carpet - aside). Most of the Royal Spartanette's I've seen do have 3 piece baths - although I think many of the tandems had the wet bath version, and smallest model - not at all. Good luck with your restoration!

retromom · 05-22-2010, 11:17 AM

You lucky dogs!!!Thank you so much for doing this! I feel all warm and fuzzy knowing you are saving this beautiful piece of history. and a mwaaaaaaa to whomever didn't ruin it over the years.

Silverfoxrae · 05-22-2010, 06:33 PM

Just absolutely marvelous.

Ganaraska · 06-05-2010, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyafishin

st131 nice job!!! Wanted to ask your opinion. I have the chance to buy a 1950 spartanette tandem (twin bed). Like you I live in Oregon (Eugene), but it is located out on the east coast. It is in great shape based on the pics i have seen.No exterior issues, really nice interior w/o leaks and original interior complete. It has been in use at a campground. It appears well maintained. I have never pulled a camp trailer greater than 20 feet. How has your experience been pulling this trailer?
Thanks

This absolutely slays me. Every time I check out ads for neat old trailers the best ones at the lowest prices are always in the west. Oregon in particular seems to be full of old trailers at bargain prices.

Why would you want to go 4000 miles for a trailer when there are lots to chose from in your home state? I bet if you look around you can find a good Spartan.

Fodus · 11-24-2010, 11:54 PM

Hey, awesome posts! I also have a 1953 Spartanette Tandem that I just inherited and am about to start fixing up. I am curious, my rear door in on the opposite side of the trailer but yours is on the same as the front door. This must have been an option?

These aren't the best pics so I'll have to take more when it's not so dark.

easyride · 11-26-2010, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fodus

Hey, awesome posts! I also have a 1953 Spartanette Tandem that I just inherited and am about to start fixing up. I am curious, my rear door in on the opposite side of the trailer but yours is on the same as the front door. This must have been an option?

These aren't the best pics so I'll have to take more when it's not so dark.

You need to check your ser# ,52 and older had opposite side doors,53 the had them both on the curb side. Dave

ST131 · 11-27-2010, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by easyride

You need to check your ser# ,52 and older had opposite side doors,53 the had them both on the curb side. Dave

Not necessarily true. Fodus has a Spartanette Tandem model 130, which is the original Tandem model built from 1950-1953. Mine is a lightly longer model 131 which was only built between May and November of 1953. It's thought that this model was built to use up existing components of the 40' Imperial Spartanette since all Spartanette models were being discontinued in 1954.

Anyway, thanks for bringing this thread back to life. I'm still working on mine but I've completely restored another trailer since starting this one nearly two years ago, partially restored several others, and am currently in the middle of a 1949 Spartanette model 24. The learning curve has increased significantly and I'm really enjoying the hobby. I'll get this one done too as I find the time. In the mean time here's a little progress.. I wasn't happy with the furniture pieces I did with shellec, not to mention shellac is an incorrect finish for a Spartan. Live and learn.. After a bunch of research I decided the way to get the finish closest to original was to use old school tung oil varnish. I sanded the furniture (again) to bare wood to remove the shellac and also started on the interior. So far I have gotten the bedroom, hallway, sliding doors, and bathroom refinished. Lots of sanding and four coats of varnish. Took a solid month of any spare time I had. I'm pleased with the results.