1955 Spartan Royal Mansion 38' Double Ender
Featured on the cover and in VCT Magazine Issue #67 May/June '23
Voted "People's Choice" Palm Springs Modernism Week Vintage Trailer Show '23
Voted "Best Long Trailer" Antiques at the Spanish Peaks Vintage Trailer Rally '23
Description:
This 1955 Spartan Royal Mansion has been restored and customized. The trailer features the original layout with a bathroom and a queen bed. There are fresh water, black, and grey tanks, and an electric 10-gallon water heater. The trailer has a vintage Panel-Ray heater and dual Dometic Penguin II air conditioners. A pocket door closes off the kitchen from the bedroom, the dinette can be made into a bed as well as the front couch.
This trailer can be used as a Travel Trailer, Tiny House, A.D.U., or AirBB/VRBO income rental.
Before:
The 1955 Spartan lived its entire life in California trailer parks. Not being towed saved the exterior, but the inside was completely trashed, and it's hard to see in this picture but the whole trailer was painted...silver!
After:
1400 hours later the Spartan shines again. The interior was completely gutted and the body lifted off to paint the frame and replace the floor. What little of the salvageable interior was left, was reconditioned and reinstalled. Holding tanks, a new belly pan, and air conditioning were installed.
Reconstruction
The body and frame were cleaned, the frame painted, and new floor framing put in.
Reconstruction
The new plywood subfloor was installed and new Marnoluem Spa flooring was laid out to allow it to acclimate for a few days.
Observation Lounge
Standing at the door and looking into the observation lounge: vintage couch with original upholstery, custom chair, and coffee table. Barkcloth pinch-pleat curtains.
Room Divider
A custom room divider with a Flat Screen TV, a Blu-ray player, and a built-in console stereo with a record player, separates the observation lounge from the kitchen and dinette.
Dinette
A Sputnik light fixture hangs over a custom built-in dinette.
Kitchen
Original kitchen layout with a custom twist, angled front drawers, and a custom starburst backsplash. Recessed light fixture for better head clearance.
Bathroom
Original layout with new old stock Formica and sink, plus a vintage green swirl plastic tile. A 1950's inspired spun aluminum cone light shines down on the vanity.
Bathroom
Original tub with vintage green swirl plastic tile.
Bedroom
The back bedroom features a built-in queen bed, custom nightstands, and original shelving. Two 1950's inspired spun aluminum double cone lights illuminate the room.
Bedroom
The original fold down vanity/desk
Bedroom
The hallway between the bedroom and bathroom features vintage ads from Cole's of California in starburst frames, a 1950's inspired spun aluminum light illuminates them from above.
Bedroom
Slide this door to the right to close off the bedroom from the rest of the trailer, behind it hides a wardrobe and a 4 drawer dresser. The door was inspired by later model Spartan trailers
Photographic credit: Jean Bundschuh