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04-03-2015, 12:48 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
1972 31' Sovereign
Laie
, Hawaii
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 61
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Odd Airstream-like vehicle spotted
So my lovely wife and I were on a road trip through northern Texas back in November and spotted an interesting aluminum Airstream-looking vehicle in a small town. We couldn't stop, but now I wish we had.
It had a tapered rear end that looked like an old Airstream, possibly 50s vintage. But as we passed, I saw that it was actually a delivery-type van with a short nose. It was unrestored and looked neglected.
These attached photos show some similar elements/vintage, but it could have been a hallucination or a road trip mirage.
Anyone ever see this? It was along Highway 289 north of Dumas, maybe in Stratford. It was on the west side of the road by a building.
I'm hoping someone driving through could keep their eyes open. It's driving me nuts; a bee in the bonnet. I thought it would be easy to identify later for curiosity's sake.
It's kind of like an old girlfriend. Those gauzy, hazy memories are always better than the reality was. Maybe there was a reason we didn't stop.
marc
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04-03-2015, 12:58 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
1963 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Central
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,919
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I have seen it, it's a Spartan trailer that has been merged with a van. On the south side of Hwy 287, right?
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04-03-2015, 01:01 PM
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#3
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2 Rivet Member
1972 31' Sovereign
Laie
, Hawaii
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 61
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV
I have seen it, it's a Spartan trailer that has been merged with a van. On the south side of Hwy 287, right?
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Highway 287, you're right!
That must be it. A custom job would make sense. Was it a good conversion?
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04-03-2015, 01:04 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
1963 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Central
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,919
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Ive never stopped, it's been there atleast 5 years.
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04-03-2015, 01:15 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1984 31' Airstream310
Honokaa
, Hawaii
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 993
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Not in Texas, but like this?
Sparton Motor Home 1940-50s
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04-03-2015, 01:20 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Ebro
, Fla Panhandle
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,212
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That does sound intriguing, someone should go get that thing.
Or at least take pics for us to see.
This is a common challenge for me, having driven by something that caught my eye. But didn't stop to check it out.
Oh the flights of fancy that can build from such a sighting.
I've been at this RV thing for just a little over a year. First step in improving the experience was getting off the interstates and onto the minor or state roads. Next step is to slow down more in areas of interest, and be ready to stop quickly to check things out.
I have been cruising mostly solo. Does it help to have a copilot/navigator aboard in seeing and pulling over in time to have a look see, or hurt? :-)
Cheers Richard
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04-03-2015, 01:59 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
Lin
, Ne
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,430
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2 more to see.
__________________
The higher your expectations the fewer your options.
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04-04-2015, 06:21 PM
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#8
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2 Rivet Member
1972 31' Sovereign
Laie
, Hawaii
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 61
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Love those beautiful lines and shapes!
I wonder how many real car guys among us use our road trips to find unrestored and interesting gems among the detritus...
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04-05-2015, 10:22 AM
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#9
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3 Rivet Member
1981 31' Excella II
Richmond
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 133
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Yes, I saw it back in Jan 2010. Actually turned around and went into the shop to ask about it. It was NOT an airstream conversion, but I'll be danged if I can recall the make of the trailer. Somewhere in my folders I might still have a picture of it.
__________________
Bob (K5RPS) and Gail (MAAAA)
31' 1981 Excella II
2001 F-250 7.3D Crew w/8'bed and Pullrite 180degree
"Ask the Man Who Owns One" (Packard, Of Course)
or
"Ask the Woman who lives with one...or more!" (Gail)
'
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04-05-2015, 06:56 PM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Glendale
, California
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 66
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Is it an Ultravan? I restored one quite a while back. Here's a picture.
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04-06-2015, 10:33 AM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member
1972 31' Sovereign
Laie
, Hawaii
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 61
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Heck, I'll bet all it needs is a good interior and exterior restoration, and engine, transmission and suspension, etc. Piece of cake, right? I'd love to see photos if you have them.
Seriously, though, I think my wife is quite relieved we don't live on the Mainland. I'd probably be one of the guys trying to figure out how to buy it and drag it home for a long project.
It's hard to be a car guy in Hawaii-- and 'old' car is one built way back in the 1990s.
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04-17-2015, 06:11 PM
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#12
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3 Rivet Member
1981 31' Excella II
Richmond
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 133
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Found the pics....enjoy!!!!!
Well, it took some digging through all my folders, but finally found the pics of the RV in question....
Enjoy!!!!!
__________________
Bob (K5RPS) and Gail (MAAAA)
31' 1981 Excella II
2001 F-250 7.3D Crew w/8'bed and Pullrite 180degree
"Ask the Man Who Owns One" (Packard, Of Course)
or
"Ask the Woman who lives with one...or more!" (Gail)
'
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04-18-2015, 12:03 PM
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#13
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1987 Avion 34W owner
Vintage Kin Owner
Good Ol'
, USA
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,090
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That's a Spartan, fer shur!
__________________
I this great country!!!!
1987 Avion 34W
1995 Ford F250 7.3L PowerStroke
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04-19-2015, 02:31 AM
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#14
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2 Rivet Member
1972 31' Sovereign
Laie
, Hawaii
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 61
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Thanks for those photos!
I'm still a bit confused: did Spartan actually manufacture those, or was it a modification of a trailer? I have seen a few examples on the interwebs, but it's not clear.
Very cool regardless.
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04-19-2015, 11:22 AM
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#15
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3 Rivet Member
1981 31' Excella II
Richmond
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 133
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All I know is that I spoke with the folks in the antique shop and they told me that THAT particular unit was created by the owner...not the Spartan factory.
Someone would have to find an old Spartan employee to find out if the factory ever made any.
It certainly was a well done conversion, but as I recall, I was told that it was under powered.
Wish I had taken a picture of the inside!!!
__________________
Bob (K5RPS) and Gail (MAAAA)
31' 1981 Excella II
2001 F-250 7.3D Crew w/8'bed and Pullrite 180degree
"Ask the Man Who Owns One" (Packard, Of Course)
or
"Ask the Woman who lives with one...or more!" (Gail)
'
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04-19-2015, 11:27 AM
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#16
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3 Rivet Member
1981 31' Excella II
Richmond
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 133
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Note that the front wheels have a narrow track so it could make turns, and avoid the need to make wheel cut outs...thereby keeping the clean lines of the trailer.
__________________
Bob (K5RPS) and Gail (MAAAA)
31' 1981 Excella II
2001 F-250 7.3D Crew w/8'bed and Pullrite 180degree
"Ask the Man Who Owns One" (Packard, Of Course)
or
"Ask the Woman who lives with one...or more!" (Gail)
'
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04-19-2015, 03:27 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2012 30' International
1997 25' Safari
1967 20' Globetrotter
Burlington
, Ontario
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,499
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I figure it was Piņin Farina's touring coach that he used when he was visiting Kenosha just to confirm that they had enough of the wheels covered up on the vehicles that they were shoving out of the plant. Jim
Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums
__________________
Jim
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04-22-2015, 06:54 PM
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#18
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Rivet Monster
1975 31' Sovereign
1980 31' Excella II
Sprung Leak
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,172
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Saw this one today. No where close to an Airstream, but interesting conversion none the less.
Aaron
__________________
....so many Airstreams....so little time...
WBCCI #XXXX AIR #2495
Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
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