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Old 04-03-2015, 12:48 PM   #1
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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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Old 04-03-2015, 12:58 PM   #2
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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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Old 04-03-2015, 01:01 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV View Post
I have seen it, it's a Spartan trailer that has been merged with a van. On the south side of Hwy 287, right?
Highway 287, you're right!
That must be it. A custom job would make sense. Was it a good conversion?
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Old 04-03-2015, 01:04 PM   #4
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Ive never stopped, it's been there atleast 5 years.
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Old 04-03-2015, 01:15 PM   #5
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Not in Texas, but like this?

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Old 04-03-2015, 01:20 PM   #6
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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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Old 04-03-2015, 01:59 PM   #7
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2 more to see.
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Old 04-04-2015, 06:21 PM   #8
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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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Old 04-05-2015, 10:22 AM   #9
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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.
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Old 04-05-2015, 06:56 PM   #10
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Is it an Ultravan? I restored one quite a while back. Here's a picture.
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Old 04-06-2015, 10:33 AM   #11
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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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Old 04-17-2015, 06:11 PM   #12
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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!!!!!
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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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Old 04-18-2015, 12:03 PM   #13
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That's a Spartan, fer shur!
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Old 04-19-2015, 02:31 AM   #14
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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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Old 04-19-2015, 11:22 AM   #15
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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!!!
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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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Old 04-19-2015, 11:27 AM   #16
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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.
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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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Old 04-19-2015, 03:27 PM   #17
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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


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Old 04-22-2015, 06:54 PM   #18
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Saw this one today. No where close to an Airstream, but interesting conversion none the less.

Aaron

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