Classic DREAMCARS Mount Dora, Fla. (352) 385-1945 www.classicdreamcars.com

 

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SORRY, YOU MISSED A GREAT TRAILER- SOLD TO ATLANTA, GEORGIA 

1953 ROD AND REEL VINTAGE 'ART DECO' 16 FT. CAMPER TRAILER


A TRUE FRAME-OF RESTORATION OF A VINTAGE CALIFORNIA, BORN AND RAISED, CAMPER FROM THE FIFTIES. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE GREAT TRAILERS THAT ARE SUPER EASY TO TOW WITH A SMALLER MOTOR CAR AS IT WEIGHS IN AT AROUND 2200 POUNDS. IT IS 14' LONG (16 1/2 FT.INCLUDING TONGUE), 8" TALL AND 7' 2" IN WIDTH. IT TOWS LIKE A DREAM BECAUSE THE TONQUE WEIGHT IS 280 LBS. IT IS SURPRISINGLY 'HUGE' INSIDE AND SELF-CONTAINED WITH PROPANE AND ELECTRIC CAPABILITIES, ALL REFURBISHED AND INSULATED. IT SLEEPS 3-4 COMFORTABLY WITH A LARGE REAR BED TO THE LEFT AND A DINETTE THAT MAKES INTO A SMALLER BED TO THE RIGHT. THERE'S PLENTY OF STORAGE SPACE AND A HANGING CLOSET AS WELL. IT IS DESIGNED FOR OCCUPANTS TO STAND UP FULLY WITH PLENTY OF HEADROOM ABOVE. MANY OF THE WINDOWS CARRYING SCREENS BUT, THE CAMPER IS ALSO EQUIPPED WITH A 'FANTASTIC' FAN THAT HAS A REVERSE CYCLE TO PURGE THE INTERIOR AIR. UNDERGOING AN EXPENSIVE RESTORATION: THE NEW BRIGHTSIDE, POLISHED, CORROGATED ALUMINUM THAT IS ESSENTIALLY 'CARE FREE'. THE ORIGINAL ALL BIRCH INTERIOR WAS PRESERVED AND REFINISHED IN IT'S ORIGINAL COLOR AND ALL MATERIALS WERE REPLACED BY MODERN GRADE FABRIC. KEEPING WITH TRADITION THE DIXIE STOVE AND MARVEL FRIDGE APPLIANCES WERE LEFT AND COSMETICALLY RESTORED. TYPICALLY, THE FOLKS THAT BUY THESE 'SHOW' THEM AND RETAIN AS MUCH OF THEIR ORIGINALITY AS POSSIBLE. OTHERS USE THEM ARE ARE "THE TALK OF THE CAMPGROUND OR TRAILER PARK " AS SOON AS THEY ARRIVE. DESPITE THE FACT THE LINOLEUM FLOORING WAS RESTORED WITH NEW...THE AQUA COLORS WERE KEPT ORIGINAL EVEN DOWN TO THE BOOMERANG PATTERN MICA COUNTER AND TABLE TOPS. WE HAVE ADDED ORIGINAL FIFTIES CANNISTERS TO MATCH, WOODEN BLINDS, COLOR MATCHED PILLOWS AND PERIOD ARTWORK. "CUTE AS A BUTTON" MAY HAVE BEEN A FIFTIES TERM BUT, IT CERTAINLY FITS THIS GREAT LITTLE CAMPER. WANT TO TURN HEADS AT THE CAR SHOW- YOU FOUND YOUR VEHICLE..... A GREAT ART DECO TRAILER. 'STIMULUS' PRICED AT ONLY $14,500. SOLD

THE STORY:
When America became 'mobilized' in the Fifties, Trailers suddenly became super popular. They allowed Americans, of all ages, the ability to relocate, either permenantly or part-time for vacations, to completely diferent locales. so, City Folk could see and experience the Country like never before. They became "The Rage". Wally Byram, Inventor of the 'Airstream' became a household word building his Airstream Trailers, bragging... "they could be towed by a bicycle" but, in reality it took a much larger vehicle. The 'Canned Ham' Style Trailers prevailed as a cheap, functional alternative to the heavy airline style units and America responded by buying them in record numbers. Like any American product, they came in different degrees of quality. Painted Aluminum or Polished, Mica Interiors or Real Birch Wood. The better units had a following just like the difference between Chevy and Cadillac with some brands achieving Icon Stature like Spartan, Boles Aero and, of course, Airstream. Rod and Reel Trailers were first developed for the Hunting and Fishing Set but, soon evolved into Family Campers. They featured all the 'fancy' options found in the larger, more expensive trailers and were made in Cypress, California by Mobile Holdings Corporation. They offered models from 15' to 50' and up to 10' wide, equipped with 1 & 2 bedrooms, and even offered Jalousie windows in some Deluxe Equipped Editions. If you're looking for 'character' in a trailer- you found it!


IN THE WORLD
The undeclared Korean War ended in 1953 with an estimated 4 million deaths including more than 1 million Chinese and 54,000 Americans being killed...yet, precious little territory changed hands. The Soviet Union took pause as to whether to celebrate or grieve when Joseph Stalin died of a brain hemorrahage. Khrushchev emerged as head of the Communist Party, second in power, and soon took over the helm. In May, New Zealander Edmund Hillary (and Nepalese Sherpa Guide, Tenzing Norkay) reached the summit of Mount Everest at 29,028 ft.......the highest point on Earth. Christie Brinkley (model & smart ex-wife of Billy Joel), John Malkovich (actor), Tom Petty (rocker), Ron Howard (film director & 'opie'), would all be born, while Ethel and Julius Rosenberg (U.S.convicted Spies) would be put to death. Chevrolet would introduce the "corvette" sportscar, Buena vista cafe would sevve it's first Irish coffee in san Francisco, TV Guide would be published for the First Time, and JAL , Japan Airlines, would fly the Golden Skies for the first time. 1953 was a Good Year !