bpmcgee
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Post by bpmcgee on Aug 19, 2015 9:29:06 GMT -8
Presented here for your amusement is my project to restore Imogen, our 1950 Alma:  We bought her this June from Vintage Campers in Peru, IN (www.vintagecampers.com). And for the record, they are super nice people to deal with! Because we had to tow it back to Chicago with us they helped us out by testing and repairing the brakes and by fixing a couple of existing water leaks in the roof so she's water tight. Her model is C-90, which is what Alma called their 30 foot model. They also made a C-80, which was 25 feet long, and a C-100 at 33. Here are the rest of the pictures that I took when we first went to look at her:     When we looked at her, she was wired for a curb-side hookup, and someone had just torn a big hole in the skin below the sink to pull the wire. We plan to rewire her, switching her to a modern street-side hookup. While we're taking the skin off to redo the wiring we'll repair any damage we see. Stand by for pics of the progress we've made so far! Brian |
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RinTin
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Post by RinTin on Aug 19, 2015 10:18:30 GMT -8
In my best Jeff Spicoli impersonation: "totally awesome dude!!"
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kirkadie
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'69 Serro Scotty Hilander
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Post by kirkadie on Aug 19, 2015 13:17:18 GMT -8
Wow Ricky, are you and Lucy going rock hunting when you get 'er done?
Beautiful, but a long long trailer fur sure!
Are there doors on both sides?
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bpmcgee
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Post by bpmcgee on Aug 19, 2015 13:46:42 GMT -8
Kirkadie, Yeah, the bedroom door is on the street side. It's definitely at the limit of what I'd want to pull. But I'm 6'2" tall, so we needed something at least that high with room for a queen sized bed sleeping 4 adults and 2 big dogs. And coincidentally my husband's name IS Ricky  |
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nanat
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Post by nanat on Aug 19, 2015 16:54:05 GMT -8
My dream trailer.
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davek
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Post by davek on Aug 19, 2015 18:50:04 GMT -8
Wow that is a super cool trauler. Looking forward to updates
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coloradocamper
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1956 Terry Trailer
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Post by coloradocamper on Aug 19, 2015 19:00:56 GMT -8
Yowza, I think I'm in love! Please post pictures every step of the way!
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bpmcgee
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Post by bpmcgee on Aug 20, 2015 6:05:26 GMT -8
Thanks everyone! I don't have anyplace to put the trailer where I can work on it out of the weather, so I'm going to have to do it in sections, covering up my work with a tarp. I started working on the front curb-side, pulling out the front and side windows, and removing the aluminum. When I did that, I immediately saw that the corner boards were pretty rotted out.    In fact, if you look closely on the left hand side of the above photo, you'll see that the plywood in the corner there is completely gone!  |
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bpmcgee
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Post by bpmcgee on Aug 20, 2015 6:09:57 GMT -8
I used cardboard to make templates of the curved pieces, carefully cut them out with a chisel and a sawzall, and replaced them with new green-treated lumber:   Then I cut in boxes, ran new wire, and began to re-insulate:  Just before I put the skin back on, it looked like this:  |
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bpmcgee
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Post by bpmcgee on Aug 20, 2015 6:14:38 GMT -8
And finally, with the skin and windows back in:  I've filled all the holes that didn't belong with Lab-Metal, and covered the holes that DO belong with aluminum tape just to keep them water tight until I get everything painted. |
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Post by vintagebruce on Aug 20, 2015 6:58:00 GMT -8
I'm on the band wagon with everyone else who loves your trailer! One thing I am way impressed with is what looks like, your period correct living room sofa frame! I am hoping the backrest folds down flat, so you can have a guest sleeper. Try and source something that correct and cool in vintage furniture ads and if you can even find something similar, the price will make you want to go out and immediately insure the one you have! Do you have a fold down table (to eat on) in the living room instead of a banquette? If so look for a couple of 50's fold-o-matic chairs that match the sofa. My 1950 Travelo had a small rack on the street side wall that would accommodate 2 folded up fold-o-matics, and a fold-down into a table corner cabinet door. I like your Alma better than the Spartanette of the same era.  |
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bpmcgee
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Post by bpmcgee on Aug 20, 2015 7:05:18 GMT -8
Bruce,
Sorry to disappoint, but that sofa frame was actually a modern futon frame. The only original furniture in the camper is a bed-side table and the bed frame with rounded ends.
I've found period photographs of the furniture and you're about right -- a click-clack couch against the front wall with enough room on one side for a drop-leaf table, and one or two chairs.
We find that an excellent furniture setup for our needs, and we plan to do about the same.
B
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Post by vintagebruce on Aug 20, 2015 7:27:13 GMT -8
OOOps! I got so excited about your Alma and furniture I said the wrong name for the chairs I think would be great in there...they are NOT Fold-o-matic chairs they are Leg-O-Matic chairs. Here is a thread to some on ebay. Very cool chairs. www.ebay.com/bhp/leg-o-matic |
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kirkadie
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'69 Serro Scotty Hilander
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Post by kirkadie on Aug 20, 2015 10:41:26 GMT -8
I'm impressed with the way this trailer was built, especially the 4 1X bows under the front window.
Our cheap little hams only have horizontals and lose a lot of strength potential.
I hope you don't have to tear into the sides, but if you do I'll bet they are done well too.
From your first picture, the trailer looks nice and straight and solid.
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bpmcgee
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Post by bpmcgee on Aug 20, 2015 12:08:32 GMT -8
Kirkadie,
Yeah, it's built really well! You can't see it in the picture, but there's a piece of plywood that goes between those bows and the aluminum skin too. In some of the next set of pictures you'll see.
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