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gypsygirl1 · 01-30-2008, 05:48 PM

Wanted to share some pics of our 'other' trailer. This beauty is permanently (well as permanent as a trailer can get anyway) moored on a bluff overlooking Lake Erie in Ontario Canada. We bought this 52 Royal Spartanette in June 07 and spent all summer working on her to get her livable. She came from New Mexico last May, and came to us in June. The interior was in pretty good shape, and needed new floor, wiring, plumbing, propane, and some windows were cracked. Not too bad, really. We love it.
The new floor is the yellow/brown checkerboard. Nice Flextile - easy to keep clean.
Also a couple of pictures of our 'baby' just before Christmas.
We've been very busy with our 59 A/S Tradewind. We just bought her in Sep 07 and have been fortunate to get her inside for a month this winter. We've been working very very hard, and have her just 'bout ready to roll. We have pictures of that one in the Member's photos.

InsideOut · 01-30-2008, 05:53 PM

VERY Cool! Love it!!!!

Shari

JimGolden · 01-30-2008, 05:58 PM

SWEET rig Gypsygirl! I really like Spartanettes. The 35 footer is a real monster. Lots of room in that baby. You know they polish up beautifully...could be a good springtime job for you

Seriously though, what a cool trailer!

gypsygirl1 · 01-30-2008, 06:08 PM

Yeah, we just worked ALL LAST SUMMER on the I N S I D E ! ! ! ha ha
Now we're workin' all winter on our Airstream.........
We thought about polishing her up, but we are right on the bluff and get alot alot of sun. Don't want to confuse the boats (ships) in the lake.

Sugarfoot · 01-30-2008, 07:50 PM

That's fabulous ~ I'm also very fond of the Spartanettes and Spartans. What a great escape spot you have.

LJH · 01-31-2008, 07:53 AM

She's a Beauty!

Mel · 01-31-2008, 08:52 AM

That's gorgeous! I love those birchwood interiors. We've been keeping an eye out for a Spartan project, but don't know if we'll end up as lucky as you.

cameront120 · 01-31-2008, 09:26 AM

Beautiful!

at_wanderer · 01-31-2008, 03:31 PM

Gypsygirl,

I am familiar with your name, but can't remember if I have seen it on this site or the Spartan Forum. If you haven't been there, check 'em out at Spartan Aircraft Trailercoaches . It's not "quite" as active as this one, but good information can be had.

Royce · 01-31-2008, 05:20 PM

Great looking trailer and I really like the mooring.

gypsygirl1 · 02-01-2008, 06:17 AM

Thanks for all the nice comments. I love the forum and all the helpful information. I will check out the Spartan site. Thanks again.

Cadillac1978 · 04-04-2008, 07:37 PM

You and your hubby, have done a fantastic job on this one. It's truly beautiful! I've been considering one of these beauties myself - only the one I've found currently looks more like a beast than a beauty. Anyway, is there anything from the voice of experience that you would be willing to share? I'm a complete novice regarding travel trailers but, I do possess average to above average carpentry skills gained from working on my vintage Victorian home. It appears that the Spartanette would be a relatively simple redo (compared to the other Spartan models - I fully realize that a lot of blood, sweat and tears went into your restoration of this one!) - I'm only referring to the fact that the Spartanette doesn't have the many complex curves the other Spartan models share. And yet, it manages to retain the Art Deco look of the 1940's that I love, to simple perfection - it's my favorite of the lot. But, as I've found many times in regards to redoing my home - appearances can be deceiving! It always seems that projects end up costing 3-4 times more than anticipated. Anyway, you have a great rig and fantastic location to park her!

Mackhopp · 04-04-2008, 08:31 PM

Wow! What a beautiful interior - and the flooring looks great too!

gypsygirl1 · 04-05-2008, 06:34 AM

Thanks Cadillac1978 for the nice comments. We have worked so hard on our Spartanette and just absolutely love it. We're anxious now for May 1 to arrive to open her up for the season. Last week we had to trudge through about 6 inches of snow to get to her. We were very lucky with our Spartanette find, and although we put in a new breaker box, and some newer receptacles, we still have some minor repairs to do in that regard. Almost everything electric works, with the exception of the vanity light in the bathroom. I think it is probably the bulb, but can't seem to find those kind anymore. We've replaced most of the plumbing, and still have to put in new taps in the kitchen and bathroom this spring. We also put in a new hot water tank. As you probably know with your home restoration, that Murphy's Oil Soap is THE BEST on the planet for wood. We cleaned every square inch of the inside with it and were absolutely amazed at the result. The flooring was the last thing we did before we enjoyed 'living' in it for the rest of the season last year. Oh yeah, we also had to adapt the outside deck to fit the new 'docking' spot. We had to move her over 2 feet and ahead 2 feet closer to the gully than where our previous trailer had been so as not to block the neighbour's view. Sounds small, but large job.
Our ceiling vents (4) need work, but we are planning to install the Fantastic Fan in the center vent over the kitchen. The others will just be regular vents. All require size adjustment, as we couldn't find the exact replacement size. Another job this year.
Feel free to PM us if you like....
Good luck in your search, and keep us posted.

campernut64 · 04-05-2008, 09:09 AM

Nice trailer you have there. Good incentive for me to get started on my '49 Royal Mansions restoration. (full Monte) I'm looking forward to traveling in style and 60 year old comfort.

Good plug on Murphy's Oil soap too. I'm a firm believer in it myself.....Well, that and the fact that I work at the liquid detergent plant where it's made. Keep on scrubbin' so I can retire and travel full time.

Have a good weekend,
Brad

gypsygirl1 · 04-10-2008, 05:35 PM

Yup, that Murph's is the BEST, and easy on the hands, too.....

Isadora · 04-11-2008, 08:06 AM

I love the old Spartans, I lived in one full time many years ago: a 1953 (can't remember the size, think it was a 25') with birch interior. We pulled it with a l961 Cadillac convertible from Missouri to Colorado and New Mexico and back again. If I can find pictures I will try to post them. I loved that trailer. I still have a chest of drawers from the kitchen of it; it is now a permanent part of the kitchen in my house.

soldiermedic · 04-11-2008, 08:36 AM

Amazing!

Was the interior that mint on the inside, or did it require extensive fabrication and restoration?

Steve

FC7039 · 04-11-2008, 08:46 AM

Name: Royal%20Spartanette3A.jpg
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Was this picture taken just on 69 just outside Big Cabin, OK?

gypsygirl1 · 04-12-2008, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isadora

If I can find pictures I will try to post them. I loved that trailer. I still have a chest of drawers from the kitchen of it; it is now a permanent part of the kitchen in my house.

We would love to see your pictures..... Hope you can find them.

The interior is pretty much original. We had very little actual repair to do. It was just alot of elbow grease and washing all the years of dirt away. The original birch just shines and shines. We found that the bathroom had alot of scaling or flaking on the walls, but once washed well with Murphy's and then coated with very little varathane it all came back beautifully.
We also added quarter-round trim along the floor edges, just to clean up the edges of the new tile. No other varathaning was necessary anywhere else in the trailer.
Less than a month now until we open her up for the season!! ! Yeah!