Brand loyalty is something every manufacturer, producer, and mom-and-pop business strives to achieve. It’s a bond that can last far beyond the life of a company. In the world of vintage camping, this loyalty is especially evident. Owners of vintage trailers are deeply proud of their rigs and love camping with fellow brand enthusiasts. These gatherings allow them to showcase their restorations and learn how others have tackled the challenges specific to their trailers.
Across the USA, you’ll find rallies dedicated to specific brands like Spartan, Kencraft, Boles Aero, Shasta, and more.
The legacy of Spartan trailers
Spartan trailers, in particular, have a special place in the hearts of many vintage trailer enthusiasts. These iconic trailers, produced after WWII, utilized advanced technology and techniques from the aircraft manufacturing industry. The result? A product that has truly stood the test of time.
One such enthusiast is Frank Stevens, who in 2019 stumbled upon an all-original 1952 Spartanette on eBay. Little did he know it would one day be featured in the Vintage Camper Trailers magazine. After a long drive to inspect its condition, Frank knew he just “had to have it!” The 30-foot Spartanette boasted original features like a Dixie stove, Frigidaire fridge, Lumaline lights, exhaust fans, and most of the original lighting fixtures.
The restoration journey
Frank’s restoration journey began with removing all the appliances and meticulously restoring each one. With the appliances out, he took the opportunity to upgrade the trailer’s plumbing, replacing old drainpipes with modern PEX, and adding holding tanks and an instant water heater. This Spartanette was destined to hit the road again as a camper trailer.
Inside, Frank installed new blue Formica countertops and Marmoleum flooring. He painstakingly cleaned and reinstalled all the hinges and handles. Remarkably, most of the wood paneling in the trailer remains untouched since 1952, with only a few small panels needing replacement.
A passion for Spartan trailers
Frank is no stranger to Spartan restorations. His first Spartan, a 1947 Spartan Manor, was featured in Issue 40 of Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine. He has logged over 20,000 miles towing that trailer, even visiting the original Spartan Factory in Tulsa, OK, twice. On one of those trips, Frank discovered some tiles on the now-abandoned factory property. During the restoration of his ’52 Spartanette, he was inspired to use those tiles in the bathroom, creating a tangible connection to Spartan history.
The final touches
The three-year restoration project involved countless hours of detailing. Due to exterior damage, all the bottom half-round pieces were replaced. The round edging on the side of the trailer was stripped down to the metal, reworked, primed, and painted. Frank also replaced all the original screws with stainless steel ones and spent hours stripping the frame, welding cracks, and adding modern features like a Slimp wheel, electric jack, and all-new propane bottle mounts and gas lines.
With every inch of the Spartanette receiving Frank’s loving attention, from barkcloth curtains to the polishing of scratches, this classic trailer is now back on the road, ready to be enjoyed. And as for Frank, he’s already contemplating his next project—whether it will be his 1954 37-foot double-ender Spartan or his 1956 45-foot Spartan Imperial Mansion.
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Thank you, Paul! 🙂 Very nice; thank you for sharing the pictures and description. Have a great week and safe travels! 🙂