1tcnut
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Post by 1tcnut on Dec 15, 2015 13:07:02 GMT -8
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bpmcgee
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Post by bpmcgee on Dec 15, 2015 14:05:22 GMT -8
1TC, As far as I know, I'm about the only one on the site who owns an Alma, so welcome to the club (if your post means that you're buying it ) Let me ask -- what is the siding made of? Mine '50 is aluminum, but I think later they switched to steel. Your window configuration is a LOT like mine, but with both doors on the same side, it looks more like the '52 that was for sale here (http://www.fletcherstrailersales.com/1952%20alma%20se%20lk.html). Did you see the vintage magazine advertisements I found? If I had to guess, I'd say it was a '52 and about 28 feet long? Alma was pretty popular in the '50s, but was quickly eclipsed by other brands and these days the information about them is almost as scarce as the trailers. I can tell you mine is VERY well built -- you can check out the restoration progress pictures in my thread. If you find anything more, please share it -- I'm eager to know more as well. Brian
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Post by vintagebruce on Dec 15, 2015 14:06:57 GMT -8
to VTT! Here is a small bit of info from the Tin Can Tourists wiki site on Alma trailers...note that Alma made the Liberator and Challenger models (apparently). At the bottom of the info it mentions a couple who own a 1950 Alma 30' C-90 . The C might stand for Challenger. You may have an Alma Challenger. Judging from the photo, and the fact that I have a 1950 smooth-sided Travelo, I figure yours might be in that 1950's-ish range, give or take a couple of years each way. www.tincantourists.com/wiki/doku.php?id=alma#.VnCNPmd0xjoHere is a thread to a 1947 Alma Silver Moon with some history...note the 1947 Alma had what was the trademark front window that protruded out from the rounded curved front in years prior to 1947. vintagetraileritis.com/restorations/alma-trailers/1947-alma-silvermoon/The Atlas Mobile Home Museum site has a 1945 and 1946 Alma ad you can see if you scroll down along the left hand side. www.allmanufacturedhomes.com/Vintage Trailers web site has a sold section and if you scroll down you will see a couple of Almas vintagecampers.com/soldarchives.phpFinally I did a simple Google search typing in vintage Alma trailer and came up with additional threads to other Alma campers and pinterest sites...try that search and see what turns up. Good Luck.
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Dec 15, 2015 15:06:20 GMT -8
Welcome! That is a Big Boy!
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bpmcgee
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Post by bpmcgee on Dec 15, 2015 20:34:58 GMT -8
to VTT! Here is a small bit of info from the Tin Can Tourists wiki site on Alma trailers...note that Alma made the Liberator and Challenger models (apparently). At the bottom of the info it mentions a couple who own a 1950 Alma 30' C-90 . The C might stand for Challenger. You may have an Alma Challenger. Judging from the photo, and the fact that I have a 1950 smooth-sided Travelo, I figure yours might be in that 1950's-ish range, give or take a couple of years each way. www.tincantourists.com/wiki/doku.php?id=alma#.VnCNPmd0xjoHere is a thread to a 1947 Alma Silver Moon with some history...note the 1947 Alma had what was the trademark front window that protruded out from the rounded curved front in years prior to 1947. vintagetraileritis.com/restorations/alma-trailers/1947-alma-silvermoon/The Atlas Mobile Home Museum site has a 1945 and 1946 Alma ad you can see if you scroll down along the left hand side. www.allmanufacturedhomes.com/Vintage Trailers web site has a sold section and if you scroll down you will see a couple of Almas vintagecampers.com/soldarchives.phpFinally I did a simple Google search typing in vintage Alma trailer and came up with additional threads to other Alma campers and pinterest sites...try that search and see what turns up. Good Luck. Bruce, I'm 1/2 of the couple that owns the C-90 We call it a C-90 because that's what the advertising of that era called them. The models were C-100, C-90 and C-80(I believe). And two of the trailers you see on the vintagecampers sold archive are our camper. Dan's sold it twice now. B
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1tcnut
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Post by 1tcnut on Dec 16, 2015 17:59:37 GMT -8
I have edited my original post and added info
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bpmcgee
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Post by bpmcgee on Dec 17, 2015 6:26:17 GMT -8
1TC,
It's an awesome trailer! I can't wait to see pictures of the inside.
The rear end of yours is definitely different than mine - more bread-boxy than canned-ham. Also, that siding is quite different. Mine is big sheets of aluminum jointed at the seams. Can you tell if the tail lights are original? Mine had round "wedding cake" lights but those look more rectangular.
I wouldn't be surprised if yours were much newer like late 50s? Style-wise it has much more 60s design elements.
B
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1tcnut
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Post by 1tcnut on Dec 17, 2015 13:33:14 GMT -8
thanks for the back and forth..... mine has "snap" together sheets of siding.... not fasteners visible... I am sure there is a name for this system. As I mentioned earlier the siding appears to have a factory applied paint.. very durable paint in good condition (under the green and black paint applied by former owner's grand kids... used a playhouse!) The tail light housings appear to be original. I will post some pics of interior soon. the roof did not leak MUCH (except small amount around one of the roof vents).. so looks like the roof system was good. some paneling needs replacing... mostly under the windows.
I can not find any ID information with the exception of the "Alma" name tag on the side (see pic)
I checked in closets for any ID and also checked on the frame at the hitch... no VIN, model or any other ID located.
1tcnut (Minnesota)
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bpmcgee
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Post by bpmcgee on Dec 17, 2015 13:58:32 GMT -8
1TC,
I've never found a VIN stamped on mine either. It's hard to tell from the picture -- does yours have a tubular tongue? Mine is a 4" steel tube.
B
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1tcnut
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Post by 1tcnut on Dec 17, 2015 14:13:24 GMT -8
here is the hitch setup... heavy channel iron...
1tcnut
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Post by vintagebruce on Dec 17, 2015 17:21:14 GMT -8
You might check the underside of the kitchen sink. Sometimes the water system inspector would write his/her initials and then the last 2 numbers of the year it was inspected under the sink. My 1950 Travelo has initials and then 50 after them in white etching marker. You might also check any information plates on appliances. Sometimes part of the code might give up what year the appliance was made. Here is a thread that talks about a '55 Alma on ebay. I clicked on the thread but the ad was too old to be opened. BUT at the bottom of the discussion are 2 jpegs supposedly of the '55 Alma I think. goodoldrvs.ning.com/forum/topics/ebay-55-alma-trailer-auction
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bpmcgee
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Post by bpmcgee on Dec 18, 2015 6:38:53 GMT -8
That's a great find, Bruce. The '55 in those pictures is exactly the same shape as T1Cs. Did you guys see this postcard from the vintage campers website? It's almost an exact match. It's listed as a '52 advertisement:
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Post by trailertrasher on Dec 18, 2015 20:13:05 GMT -8
I'm with the others that this is an early 50's unit. My guess 1950 +-1 just based on a combination of parts I'm seeing. Remove the LP tank holder and strip the paint off the curb side frame rail using stripper or a wire wheel. The stamped #'s may be faint and lost by a grinder. If found they may reveal the exact year. Using the 52 ad that bp posted. that seems a little sportier in the roof line and rear and has less body seems (granted its only an illustration) also shows and oval emblem. So guessing the script emblem predated the flat tag, that makes me feel pre 52 also. The one Bruce posted as a 55 is suspect as I think he feels as well. Think its just mis-dated.. Just FYI: Your windows are Marvel (lucky for you the aluminum version as that looks like a moist place). The tail lights are Bargman #2 with new lenses available here: www.vintagecampers.com/viewpart.php?partID=2037 Let us know what you find..
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1tcnut
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Post by 1tcnut on Dec 19, 2015 6:53:32 GMT -8
thanks to all of you who have responded. your feedback is appreciated and very helpful!
tcnut
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1tcnut
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Post by 1tcnut on Dec 19, 2015 8:39:59 GMT -8
thanks trailertrasher.... so Marvel windows are a good thing? they were not fool proof... as lots of bad paneling under the windows..
does the high quality... baked on look of the beige paint say anything about the year it was built... I was expecting bare aluminum or paint that easily flaked off down to bare metal.. but the paint beige paint is rock solid (although a bad color in my opinion)
1tcnut
I will get back after taking a closer look for year and serial numbers stamped into the hitch.
PS: my pics are so disoriented ... any suggestions on how to do a neater job with my pic posting?
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