There were plans in Popular Mechanics or Popular Science to build a camper similar to those, but a bit smaller IIRC. Google has the PopSci library of back issues on-line... May 1970, page 64 When I proposed a station-wagon camper to POPULAR SCIENCE, I was asked to design and build such a unit, but warned that I'd have to prove its practicality ... May 1932, page 73 In his letter accompanying that design, Mr. Vercler summarized its uses and advantages as follows: To set up camp, drop trailer legs and level. ... March 1946, page 90 The act itself has been staved off until March 31, but nobody knows what the next move is. The Administration, Congress, Selective Service officials ... (click the link then go to page 145 for a small camper, not a teardrop though) Lots of interesting stuff over 138 years of PopSci, and easily searchable!
Man I love this thread. Building, or restoring a teardrop is next on my list. By the way, If anyone is interested... I was planning on listing in the classifieds a vintage hitch that I pulled off a 41 ford. pm me for pics!
I'd love to see better scans of that - My Dad and some of his buddies invented it and built the prototype - they sold the idea to Nomad who put it into production. Dad (Jack Walter), Bama Vaughn, Chick Stephens and another friend (Dick?) formed a small company in the late 50's called Product Design Inc. Chick was an industrial designer, Dad and Bama were Lockheed engineers - I think Dick? worked for Ford. The Nomad camper was one of their first successes - I "helped" build the prototype - I was probably around 7-8 at the time but I remember taking the camper up to Lake Lanier for testing at the Lockheed owned campground. Those are really cool - I'd love to have one.
is anyone on this thread involved in a build? I love build pics, but don't know if this is strictly a picture thread... I am 3 years into mine and coming up on the home stretch.
Alrighty then... What a closer inspection almost always reveals on these and after repairing... ready for the skins... in primer Shooting the Wimbledon white ...and the accent color after making the rear bumper and spare tire holder... Well, that's what I have time to put up now. I have plenty of pics of the interior as it's coming together! peace out,
Karrera. We have a couple of the 54-56 ranger pop up fiberglass trailers,a lot like your nomad, they had a way to carry a 12 or 13 ft, boat on top of them, but we do not have a boat only about 200 rangers ever built
Cool trailer Roothawg. I'm now officially following your big gay blog. It looks great behind your wagon! Brian
i`m also badly infected with the vintage trailer bug (the riveted all aluminum "aircraft fuselage" trailer bug ) my current trailer; she is a 26 foot `66 "Streamline Empress" that i found in very bad shape (she was this >< close to be recycled into beercans) i did an extensive frame off rebuild ...and added some custom touches and here is what i`m working on right now; she is a rare and ultra lightweight `50 "Spartanette Tandem" build by Spartan Aircraft corp in Tulsa OK. at 28 foot she is like a Teardrop trailer on drugs the fat girl in the background is a 31 foot `54 "Spartan Mansion" that is also waiting to be rebuild
Here's one I bought about 15 years ago. It was titled as a 1939 homebuilt and in beautiful condition. Needed a little wood replaced on the back hatch, but still had just about every original part. I had too many projects, and my first child on the way, so I sold it to a couple in Las Vegas about ten years ago who were going to rebuild it to tow behind their street rod.
just picked this one up to replace the 1970 Shasta compact I just sold. She needs work, but is useable as is and for $525.00 I am a happy camper!! it is a 1966 aloha 15 footer. http://s1134.photobucket.com/albums/m607/hm_rm/Trailer/?albumview=slideshow
like this tread this is mine MKP 1965 built in denmark...looking fore one to my lincoln-49 in florida (enyone) going over in november
They still do the sf show? I havent been since they stopped letting the hamb style cars in. did they ever allow them back in? Basically we were the largest part of the show. I went the year they stopped letting us in and ut seemed like a ghost town other than in the gold chainer's main area. Thanks, Skrach www.VividlyVintage.com
I write an article a while back on teardrops. Here it is: http://vividlyvintage.com/2010/09/28/teardrop-trailers-rise-in-popularity/ Thanks, Skrach www.VividlyVintage.com
The Jalopy Journal
