spartan travel trailer history

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Spartan Aircraft Company

Tulsa, Oklahoma

The Spartan Aircraft Company was founded in 1928 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The history of Spartan has its roots in oil .Two years before Oklahoma gained statehood in 1905, an oil gusher named the No.1 Ida Glenn sprung up southeast of Tulsa. This gusher turned out to be a giant oil reserve big enough to establish future companies such as Getty, Gulf, Standard Oil, (now Exxon), Sinclair and Skelly. The teens and twenties were a time of great opportunities. America was moving into the “modern” era. There were many new technologies being introduced and perfected: the automobile, electricity, and airplane flight were among a few. Oil and the internal combustion engine played a major role in these technologies. Oil companies had a great interest in these new products. William G Skelly founder of the Skelly Oil Company came to be known as “Mr. Tulsa”. In the 1920’s he turned his business into one of the world’s largest independent oil companies. He was one of the wealthiest men in the country and was very aware of the “modern” America and its new technologies. Skelly had a great interest in aeronautics. The Skelly Oil Company sponsored both The Air Adventures of Jimmie Allen and Captain Midnight. Both Series based around aviation. Skelly’s wealth allowed him to pursue this interest by his founding of the Spartan Aircraft Company which was started as an aeronautical college and airplane manufacturer In the late 1930’s Spartan was acquired by the Getty Corporation owned by the famous billionaire and oil tycoon J. Paul Getty. At the end of the W.W.II the Spartan factory was beefed up due to wartime production. Getty had to decide where he was going to take the company next. A product he could market to a large audience was needed. His engineers were busy with several exciting projects. A 5-passenger airplane prototype was completed and flown. Whose performance surpassed expectations and would be the best plane the company had ever built. In addition to this new plane they were also working on a new type automobile and a radically designed travel trailer. Due to the war the competition in airplane manufacturing had risen greatly. Top management figured the cost in dollars and length of time before their new plane design could be in production and producing supply for inventory would be to great an expense. As far as automobile manufacturing went the cost of retooling would be out of the question and this was too much of a departure from what they knew best. With the great need for housing after the war Getty determined that trailer manufacturing would be the way to go. The first prototype was made in the summer of 1945 using aircraft design similar to the Spartan Executive without much concern for other trailers trailer design of the time. They were out to produce the best product on the market. Using building techniques and designs that they had mastered in the aircraft building industry. By mid 1945 the pilot model had been completely road tested and a small production run of 100 was scheduled. G.R. Schutes, a designer of national reputation, had been hired to give the trailers a modern look incorporating many deco design elements. True to their intent, Spartan spared no expense on their trailers. They were of the highest quality and sleekest design employing the monocoque building technique used in airplane manufacturing. They were truly the “Cadillac” of trailers. When we compare the price of a brand new home in Levittown for under $8000 including the land the 25 foot Spartan Manor at close to $4000 was rather expensive. The first models rolling off the production line in the mid 40’s to early 50’s could be considered true travel trailers in every since with the largest reaching around 35 feet long. As the interstate highway system began to come into existence things would change. The company started making much larger trailers, or homes as Spartan preferred to call them. They were furnished in the latest of styles from couches to window coverings. The 50’s saw a great rise in the number of competing trailer manufacturing companies. Most offering models priced much below that of Spartan. In 1958, to stay competitive, Spartan introduced 2 new lines of trailers. The “Sparcraft” an all aluminum and riveted trailer constructed with less appealing styling than the Spartan ie: no compound curves lower grade aluminum and more conservative interiors of lessor quality. Their super economy line the “Sparlane” was a basic boxy affordable mobile home. 1959 marked the final year of production. At this time Spartan had a very extensive line of trailers with 19 models. The largest reaching 10 feet wide by 50 feet long. A fleet of 29 2-ton Internationals was used to deliver these large homes. Among this line up Spartan introduced the “Crescendo” and the “Carousel” two trailers with ultra modern 50’s styling and never before seen curving floorplans. Sadly this would be the last of the Spartans produced.In 1961 the plant closed and the company went into the insurance and financial business, under the name of the Minnehoma Insurance Co., After closing its plant, Spartan sold its name to the Spartan School of Aeronautics, which continues today. (www.spartantrailer.com) Aircraft Quality, Nifty Interiors The enterprising J.P. Getty saw a need, in the post-World War II era, for affordable yet high-quality housing. The Spartan Trailer, utilized for either recreation or primary living space depending upon the model and the needs of the owner, helped to fill this niche. Getty’s familiarity with manufacturing materials and laudable success running the Spartan factory’s war-effort fabrication of entire craft such as the Navy NP-1 trainer or components for B-24 bombers gave him ability and inspiration for creating these trailers. He knew of the durability of aircraft-grade aluminum and other materials, and insisted upon their use in the construction of the Spartan Trailer.

Manufacturer Information

Years built.

1945- 1 Prototype 1946-1959 = “Typical” Spartans 1947?-1953 = Spartanette Line being built 1960-1961 = Last models “Economy Trailers” Company was bought out and renamed to Sparcraft, Short lived under that name. Sometime around late 1959,

• 1945 Prototype “Silver Queen”
• 1948 Manor 25, Manor Tandem, Spartanette 24, Mansion 30, Royal Mansion 33
• 1949 Manor 25, Spartanette 24, Mansion 30, Royal Mansion 33
• 1950 Spartanette Tandem, Royal Spartanette, Manor, Mansion, Royal Mansion, Imperial Mansion
• 1951 Spartanette Tandem, Royal Spartanette, Manor, Manor Tandem, Mansion, Royal Mansion, Imperial Mansion
• 1952 Spartanette Tandem, Royal Spartanette, Imperial Spatanette
• 1953 Manor, Spartanette Tandem, Royal Spartanette, Imperial Spartanette, Imperial Mansion
• 1954 Manor, Manor Tandem, Royal Manor, Mansion, Royal Mansion, Imperial Mansion
• 1955 Manor, Royal Manor, Mansion, Royal Mansion, Imperial Mansion, Executive Mansion
• 1956 Royal Manor, Royal Mansion, Imperial Mansion, Executive Mansion
• 1957 Royal Mansion
• 1958 Royal Manor, Imperial Villa

Vintage Spartan Trailer Specifications, Weights and Dimensions

Spartan travel trailers were manufactured from 1945 to 1962 by the Spartan Aircraft Company. Owned by one of the richest men in America at the time, J. Paul Getty spared no expense in the creation of these high quality travel trailers.  They were built with the same techniques used in the manufacturing of their airplanes. The result was some of the highest quality travel trailers available, and their price reflected that.

One of the, If not the Most expensive trailer on the market at that time. This travel trailer is in very good condition. What is the price of it?

Pictures/Videos

Clubs/Links

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Vintagetrailersandmobilehomes/

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Spartantrailercoaches/

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Spartantrailercoaches2/

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/VintageSpartanTrailer/

http://engine-decals.com Spartan Manor decals

http://www.myvintagetraveltrailer.com/vintage-spartan-trailers/ Vintage Spartan specifications

Airport Journals

Ghost of christmas flights past: luckier even than santa, doolittle raiders fly into history books, james dietz – a master storyteller, carroll shelby—from curtiss to cobra. born january 11, 1923 flown west may 10, 2012, read my lips, steve ritchie—the last ace, julie clark’s flying adventures as captain and aerobatics superstar, adam aircraft to fly again a-500 donated to “wings over the rockies”, bobbi trout: “just plane crazy”, harry combs enters the jet age, harry combs: the early years, how emily hanrahan howell warner conquered the male-dominated airline industry, the spartan airplane and travel trailer company.

• By: AJ Staff Writer
• In: National
• On: December 1, 2004

By Randy Rundle

Color ad for the 1950 Spartan.

It happened two years before Oklahoma became a state. The Ida Glenn oil well number one located just southwest of Tulsa, Okla. came in a gusher. The Ida Glenn turned out to be a huge oil reserve, big enough to establish five major oil companies, Getty, Gulf, Standard Oil, Sinclair and Skelly.

Among those, the Skelly Oil Company, led by its founder William G. Skelly, would grow to be one of the world’s largest independent oil companies. By the early 1920s, William Skelly had become one of the richest men in the country. Besides oil and all things mechanical, Skelly developed an intense interest in aviation and aeronautics, learning all he could from every source available. He even went so far as to have the Skelly Oil Company sponsor aviation-related radio adventure programs, among them “The Air Adventures of Jimmie Allen, and “Captain Midnight.” The locals often referred to him as “Mr. Tulsa” for his generous financial support of many local projects and originations.

As a result of his interest in aviation, he founded the Spartan Aircraft Company, which was established as an aeronautical college and airplane manufacturing company. The company, like the oil business, was a growing success.

So much so, that in the mid 1930s the college and aircraft company attracted the attention of billionaire oil tycoon J. Paul Getty. Getty decided he liked what he saw and purchased the Spartan Airplane Company and the college, leaving the same management in place, but with one important change. Money was no object for the college and the Spartan Airplane Company. It was reflected in the quality of the airplanes the company offered under the new ownership.

One of the most lucrative airplane models to come out of the Spartan factory under the new ownership was the Spartan Executive, often considered one of the most luxurious planes ever manufactured. The interiors were very plush and comfortable, equal to the most opulent limousines of the day. The airplane could cruise at 200 mph and had a range of over one thousand miles. The planes soon became an aviation legend. Meanwhile Getty considered them a necessity for people of his rank and station.

The Spartan Airplane Company secured numerous war contracts during WWII and built numerous airplanes for the war effort. Soon after the war, however, the company found stiff competition from other manufacturers, many that were established as part of the war effort. With competition at every turn, the company decided to move in a new direction.

With the huge demand for housing after the war, Getty determined that mobile homes or “trailer homes” were the direction the company needed to go. Using the company’s previous airplane manufacturing experience, a prototype trailer home was built in the summer of 1945, using much of the same technology and many of the same design features used in building airplanes.

By mid 1945, a prototype model had been built and road tested, and a first production run of 100 units was ordered. The trailers featured high-end interiors much like the airplanes, with top-of-the-line appliances. No expenses were spared. Designed to be the Cadillac of trailers, Spartan trailers sold for a hefty four thousand dollars-the average new family home was selling for eight thousand dollars.

By 1955, there were dozens of trailer home manufacturers, most priced well below a Spartan. To address the problem, Spartan introduced a second line of less expensive trailers in 1958. Those trailers featured exposed riveted aluminum skin construction with plainer, lower quality interiors. They also lacked the streamline styling of the traditional Spartan trailers.

With the building of the interstate highway system in the 1950s, the length of the Spartan trailers would be allowed to grow to extreme lengths, with some models as long as 50 feet. By 1955, moving a Spartan trailer required the services of a large truck. This in contrast to the original Spartan models introduced in 1945, which were a conservative 25 feet in length and could be pulled by the family car or pickup. The interiors of the Spartan line continued to be the most luxurious on the market.

The trailers also continued getting heavier and heavier with each model year, with bigger and more luxurious interiors and appliances. Moving the trailers soon became a problem even for the Spartan Company, which in 1955 ordered a fleet of 29 International two-ton trucks, with special towing hitches designed especially to deliver the now oversize Spartan trailers.

The truck fleet arrived just in time to deliver “The Carousel” and the “Crescendo,” the newest, biggest models to date, both featuring ultra modern fifties styling and the latest in deluxe interiors. The expansion in both size and luxury would continue into the early 1960s.

By 1961, however, the Spartan Trailer Company had priced themselves out of the market, and suffered from declining sales. Instead of building less expensive trailers to meet market demands, the decision was made to close the Spartan plant for good. The company then changed directions once again, this time going into the insurance business under the name of the Minnehoma Insurance Company. The Spartan name was sold to the Spartan School of Aeronautics, which is still in business today.

So, as you travel along the rural highways in route to the next business appointment, stop and take a closer look at that funny looking trailer sitting next to the road. It just might be a Spartan. While it may not look like much now, you now know that the trailer before you once represented the Cadillac of travel trailers.

© Copyright 2016 Airport Journals

Vintage travel trailers specs and info

Vintage Spartan Trailers 11

Tags: Spartan Trailers

Vintage Spartan travel trailer

 Vintage Spartan Trailer Specifications, Weights and Dimensions

Spartan travel trailers were manufactured from 1945 to 1962 by the Spartan Aircraft Company. Owned by one of the richest men in America at the time, J. Paul Getty spared no expense in the creation of these high quality travel trailers.  They were built with the same techniques used in the manufacturing of their airplanes. The result was some of the highest quality travel trailers available, and their price reflected that.

11 thoughts on “ Vintage Spartan Trailers ”

Just bought a Spartan, not sure of the age????? Royal Mansion Vin # 35 14 382 Approx. 35 ft full length with hitch. Can someone help me with the date manufactured?

Got it figured out. Was missing a number in the vin#. It is a 33 ft 1951 Thanks Asa

Hi I’m going to buy a 1951 33ft. Spartan Royal Mansion, serial#: 33-51-A4272 but I am unable to locate any floor plan inforamtion for this serial#. does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance! Stephanie

There are Spartan trailers being advertised on the internet as manufactured in the 80s. Does anyone know if there is any relationship between these and the original Spartans? Regardless, I would like to know which company manufactured the later “Spartan” trailers, given that the original company closed and the name was sold to the aviation college.

I don’t know anything about 1980s Spartans, but they wouldn’t have any relationship to the post-war-1962 Spartans.

The Spartan name wasn’t sold to the Spartan School of Aeronautics (as it was called during the time Spartan built trailers); Spartan’s aircraft businesses pre-date Spartan trailer manufacturing. Spartan started out building airplanes and built many during WW2. After the war, demand for airplanes plumeted, so Spartan started building trailers to take advantage of the aluminium and other aircraft building materials they still had in stock, and the skills of their current employees. Spartan trailers were built in the same hangars that they had built airplanes. That Spartan trailers were built using WW2 era aircraft materials and techniques wasn’t a coincidence.

I own a Royal Spartanette Camper i bought back in 2006 and I didn’t get any paperwork with it , how can I get paperwork for it ? Serial number 135-51

Where is the serial number on a trailer. We didn’t get any paper work so need to buy a license

I just bought some property tha has a 1961 spartan sparcraft statesman on it it is 50’and is in very good shape for its age and could be liveable with a good cleaning,i dont need or want the trailer it has axles on it and is sitting on gravel on blocks, what are these things going for about the inside and out is original and in shape

Bobby where are you located? I will buy it.

I need a wiring diagram for a 1951 Spartanette Tandem

Bobby, I’d be interested in buying as well.512.914.0183

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1948 Spartan Manor

A brief history.

The Spartan Aircraft Company was founded in 1928 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In the late 1930's Spartan was acquired by the Getty Corporation owned by the famous billionaire and oil tycoon J. Paul Getty. At the end of WWII Getty had to decide where he was going to take the company next. With the great need for housing after the war, Getty determined that trailer manufacturing would be the way to go. The first prototype was made in the summer of 1945. The first models rolling off the production line in the mid 40's to early 50's could be considered true travel trailers. Spartan spared no expense on their trailers. They were of the highest quality and sleekest design. By the mid to late 50's Spartan began to make larger trailers, or homes, as Spartan called them. 

About This Trailer

During the 2020 COVID-19 shutdown Anna, Justin, and Sully spent much of their family time in the shop working on their most recent spec trailer. (You can view the video on our Flyte Camp You Tube Channel here: https://youtu.be/QjhuuUmtANU ) The 1948 Spartan Manor is one of Anna’s all-time favorite trailer models. While much of the building was completed by Justin, he emphasizes that it was Anna’s idea, design, and new floor plan that made it a reality. “The Spartan Manor was what originally got Anna started in all of this craziness. After twenty years, she was finally able to re-create this Spartan Manor the way she has always wanted to. She loves it,” he said about the trailer after their most recent camping trip to the coast. 

This 1948 Spartan was in pretty decent original condition when we picked it up. We went to a few shows with it before deciding to maximize the space with a bathroom, updated electrical, and some key design nods to the original Spartan trailers. With seventy-two years of use, it was necessary to refresh the trailer from the frame up to accommodate modern amenities.

The restoration started with removing the body from the frame. With the body off, we were able to address years of wear and tear to the frame as well as run new wiring and install a new subfloor. New Marmoleum flooring in Trace of Nature, part of their Striato line, was selected due to its similarity to original Spartan flooring. The linear pattern creates an illusion of a larger space, guiding your line of vision from front to back. The browns in the pattern match the birch paneling.

Four coats of Spar varnish really make the birch paneling shine. The majority of the original cabinetry was meticulously restored and reinstalled. The original Spartans had a red and white grid patterned backsplash in the kitchen. We re-created the original Masonite backsplash using a thin plastic with the grid carved into it. Marmoleum was chosen, this time in Earl Grey Chocolate, for the countertops. The original oven was refurbished. The oven cover was given a new shine with a few rounds of sanding and polishing. An original Frigidaire fridge had some body work completed and the original color re-applied. 

The bathroom is a new addition as previously mentioned. A vintage Pullman sink was installed above the toilet so it could be tucked away while not in use. A stainless-steel shower was also installed with a teak floor. The bathroom door was created with the signature porthole window and privacy glass for allowing additional light into the small space. 

For the upholstery, Anna was inspired to maintain an original Spartan theme. Plaid was chosen to lend a 1940’s feel of camping by the lake and going fishing that is reminiscent of the era. The plaid wool blend includes the colors grey, a great neutral, as well as blue and red. The original Spartan logo is red and the color makes appearances throughout the trailer as a nod to original Spartan design. The commercial grade tweed upholstery fabric is in a complementary neutral grey tone reminiscent of a traditional mid-century fabric. These fabrics were used throughout the trailer, maintaining the theme from the sitting area to the bedroom.  

This trailer shines as a true classic with tasteful modern amenities. With its inviting warm wood interior and very functional layout it’s the perfect escape whether in the backyard or on the road. 

Contact Us At Flyte Camp

Mail: PO Box 7996, Bend, OR 97708

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The largest online resource dedicated to the preservation and promotion of vintage Spartan Aircraft trailercoaches

Learn the history of how famed oil tycoon, J. Paul Getty, turned a small aircraft company into a luxury trailer manufacturing enterprise. View a photo database of various model Spartan trailers categorized by year. See beautiful Spartan trailer interior shots. Review resources on Spartan trailercoach documentation. Read and enter in on facebook discussions related to this subject. Link to other sites with vintage trailer related material. Follow the restoration of a Spartan Manor from the first year of production. As one of this sites main resource, the spartantrailer.com site has the largest database of, for sale and sold Spartan Aircraft trailers. spartantrailer.com is one of the best sources to research and purchase a vintage Spartan trailer. Shop for fun Spartan Trailer merchandise. Also view frequently asked questions regarding Spartans and the Spartan Aircraft Company.

As an owner of a Spartan and enthusiast of Spartan trailercoaches I have created this site so that everyone can share this resource. If you have any information on this subject which you would like to contribute or if you would like to repost information from this site please contact me David Pumphrey

The Vintage Spartan Trailer is Still a Hot Commodity

Last Updated on February 20, 2023 by Jess

The vintage Spartan trailer is still a sought-after item, and for good reason. There is something special about the classic Spartan design that never fails to capture our imagination.

Its iconic shape, attractive design and special features have made it a favorite for collectors and outdoor enthusiasts.

In this blog post, we’ll go over the history of the Spartan Trailer, its unique models, and the reasons why these trailers are still so sought after today. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

The History of the Vintage Spartan Trailer

The iconic Spartan trailer first appeared in the 1940s and quickly gained popularity due to its unique design and attractive features.

The trailer’s timeless look has captivated generations of outdoor enthusiasts and has become a favorite among collectors and campers. Let’s take a closer look at the history of this popular classic.

What is it?

The Spartan Trailer is a travel trailer developed by the Spartan Aircraft Co. after World War II. They built it with the idea that it would be more of a home than a camper.

They used an airplane style half-shell construction that no one had used on camper trailers before. Clad in shiny aluminum, the Spartan trailers were ahead of their time and had an ultra-modern art deco look.

The history of the Spartan pendant

The Spartan trailer was the brainchild of J. Paul Getty. After World War II, his Spartan Aircraft Co. struggled with the alignment.

Since there was a strong demand for housing, Getty decided the company’s next step would be to enter the housing market using travel trailers.

They started out like many other travel trailers, ranging from 25 to 35 feet in length. However, the Spartan trailers were cutting edge in terms of construction and design and cost quite a bit more than most other travel trailers.

As competition grew, Spartan began using less expensive materials and construction to make its trailers more affordable. This led to a long list of models, culminating with a 10-foot wide and 57-foot long version.

What years were Spartan trailers manufactured?

The first prototype of the Spartan trailer was introduced in 1945. The company began production shortly after designer G.R. Schutes gave them their iconic look.

Spartan Trailers production lasted a little less than two decades, with 1962 being the last year in the trailer business. The plant was closed and converted into an insurance and finance company, Minnehoma Insurance Co.

How many models of Spartan Trailers are there?

In the 17 years of their production there were at least 19 models of Spartan trailers.

There were many stunning designs, but only a handful became what collectors coveted most. Let’s take a look at the most popular Spartan pendants.

The Manor was the first Spartan trailer to roll off the assembly line in 1946. It featured a fantastic combination of comfort and style that set it apart from its competitors. It had a shiny, curvaceous aluminum body with a large viewing window.

This 25-foot model also featured a fully equipped galley kitchen with a stainless steel sink, a stove, and an icebox for food storage. Plus, the built-in cabinets provide plenty of space for all your camping essentials.

The Manor was designed with luxury in mind, offering comfortable sleeping accommodations and many modern amenities. The company marketed it as a house rather than a travel trailer.

Spartanette

The Spartanette came on the market in 1948 and was one of the most popular old Spartans. With a combination of style and comfort, this caravan was particularly attractive to campers looking for something luxurious and practical.

It was not as luxurious as the Spartan Manor and was marketed as a true travel trailer. The Spartanette had a spacious interior with large windows for plenty of natural light and a kitchen and dining area with modern appliances such as an icebox, stove and sink.

The Spartanette’s exterior, with its sweeping curves and aerodynamic details, maintained the epic Spartan aesthetic that stood out from the crowd.

The Mansion, like the Spartanette, was first released in 1948. It is one of the most sought after vintage Spartan pendants.

While the Spartanette was more sensible, this luxurious 30-foot model offered style and comfort inside and out. With the idea of a living trailer that resembled the Manor, it had a modern interior with plush fabrics and cabinets. It also had a fully equipped galley kitchen for preparing meals on the go.

Its aluminum exterior, with its elegant curves and attractive details, helped Spartan Aircraft Co. make a big splash in the caravan world.

Don’t forget: Vintage Burro campers are getting harder and harder to find! Let’s see why people love the Vintage Camper

Imperial Villa

The Imperial Villa, with the elegant aluminum design that made Spartan famous, was launched in 1958. It was one of the company’s most ambitious offerings ever.

She was 10 feet wide and 46 feet long. The luxurious interior came in one and two bedroom versions. It had a living room, kitchen, dining area, and all the plush fabrics and cabinets that made Spartan famous.

The Spartan Imperial Villa always strived to remain at the forefront of the touring car segment, incorporating the updated styling and decor of the late 1950s.

Why the Spartan camper is still a hot commodity

Old Spartan travel trailers remain a sought-after commodity for several reasons.

First, these trailers have an iconic style that evokes the history and nostalgia of old-school road trips. They feature unique details like aerodynamic curves and fashionable interiors that are timeless in design.

In addition, many old Spartan Trailer models are highly sought after because of their rarity. They are attractive to collectors and enthusiasts alike.

These RVs are so sought after that prices for fully restored old Spartan Trailers can be well into six figures. Even Spartan Trailers that are shabby but with the body and structure still intact can sell for thousands of dollars.

Are Spartan trailers still being manufactured?

Spartan produced caravans from 1945 to 1962. The caravans are no longer manufactured.

The company that made these models is long gone, so the old Spartan trailers that still exist are sought-after collectibles.

Please note: Go back in time with these vintage look campers!

A trip to the past with a Spartan pendant

Classic Spartan pendants offer a unique style and timeless design that still stands out today.

Whether you’re a collector looking for a rare keepsake or the perfect vehicle for a trip down memory lane, there’s something special about these classic trailers.

With their iconic looks and practical features, vintage Spartan trailers are a sought-after commodity that will likely remain so for years to come. Take yourself back in time with a Spartan trailer and experience the nostalgia of times gone by.

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This Fabulous Vintage Trailer Is Built Like A Plane And Has A Cooler Interior Than Many Campers Today

• By Mercedes Streeter
• October 17, 2023
• 26 Comments

If you’re looking to buy a camper today, chances are you’re going to find a lot of boring, boxy shapes and flimsy interiors. RV design nowadays also seems to call for swoopy graphics and spaces that look like a hotel room. If you want to arrive in style and sleep in a camper that feels special, I’ve found a fabulous vintage trailer that hits the spot. This 1951 Spartan Spartanette Tandem is an aluminum trailer built by an aircraft manufacturer and it still works today, complete with a beautiful birch interior.

If you’ve been reading my work for long enough, you know that I love advocating for the adoption of vintage campers. I love some of the technology coming out of the RV world right now like trailers that can basically tow themselves and the glorious resurgence of fiberglass as a building material. Still, I love looking at the past.

Decades ago, RV manufacturers were full of experimentation and released designs that we don’t really see anymore. So, if you have the funds and the patience to keep these old rigs alive, just take a look at what you can get! I found this 1951 Spartan Spartanette Tandem for sale on Facebook . There are a few of these for sale right now; this one might be the best.

From Oil And Aviation To Trailers

If Spartan sounds like a familiar name, perhaps it’s because you’ve read about one of the last times I wrote about a large Spartan trailer over at the old site . Spartan has shown up a couple of times in my RV reporting and it’s because like an old Airstream, these units are captivating.

This trailer was the work of Spartan Aircraft Company of Tulsa, Oklahoma, which has its roots in oil . In 1905, the Ida Glenn Number One discovery well of the Glenn Pool Field struck oil at a depth of 1,481 feet. This well produced about 75 to 85 barrels of crude daily, and it became the stomping ground for rising American industrialists. Harry Ford Sinclair used the field to start Sinclair Oil and the infamous Jean Paul Getty Sr. started Getty Oil from the well.

William G. Skelly was another businessman to profit from the field. Skelly made a fortune from the Glenn Pool Field in the 1920s and used that money to fund his aviation interests. In 1938, he purchased the Mid-Continent Aircraft Company, renamed it the Spartan Aircraft Company, and started the Spartan School of Aeronautics.

Some of Spartan’s first aircraft included the Spartan C3 biplane, which was built starting in the late 1920s. Spartan is best known for the Spartan Executive, a high-performance luxury monoplane marketed towards corporate executives. Built starting in 1936, the aircraft had a then-impressive 190 mph cruising speed and a range of around 1,000 miles. The Executive could be seen as the equivalent of a private jet in the pre-jet age. As such, famous people like Howard Hughes bought their own Spartan Executives.

Skelly initially navigated Spartan through the Great Depression, but in the latter half of the 1930s, a controlling interest was sold to the aforementioned Getty. Spartan eventually shifted some of its production to military aircraft. In the late 1930s, it built the Spartan Model 8W “Zeus” all-metal military warplane capable of multiple roles. In 1940, Spartan also made the Spartan NP-1 biplane trainer for the United States Navy.

After the war, Spartans fortunes began drying up. As Forbes reports , the Spartan Executive was still in production, but couldn’t compete with military surplus aircraft. Thus, Getty decided to take the company in a different direction with more mass appeal. Spartan engineers were already working on a car and a camper, and Getty determined that a mobile home would be a good fit for the housing needs of postwar America. In 1945, the first Spartan trailer was produced.

One of the marketing points of a Spartan trailer is the fact that like a plane, the trailers were built using a semi-monocoque construction where the shell is a stressed element and internal stringers were used for support. Since Getty was trying to provide a living space, Spartan’s trailers were more geared toward being a cozy mobile home rather than your basecamp during travel.

Today, we might call a trailer like a Spartan a “ park model. ” It’s meant to sit in one place for a while but is also mobile enough to go somewhere else at a moment’s notice. Some of Spartan’s units spanned lengths as long as 57 feet and widths as wide as 10 feet. Those trailers would be closer to a typical manufactured trailer home today, a trailer that gets plopped down at a site for years.

This Spartanette Tandem

According to archived records , the Spartan Spartanette was a part of Spartan’s trailer efforts from the late 1940s. The Spartanette was advertised as a riveted aluminum trailer designed around lightweight materials and easy towing characteristics. Those early Spartanettes were about 25 feet 3 inches long and about 3,700 pounds with a cost of $2,937. Around 1950, the Spartanette Tandem joined the line as a 30-foot model that weighed 4,975 pounds and had a cost of $3,950.

As the name would suggest, a Spartanette Tandem was a Spartanette featuring two axles, which ride on a 10 gauge steel frame. Marketing materials for a 1950s Spartanette Tandem said the trailers included glass fiber blanket insulation in the walls, doors, and ceilings plus double insulation in the floors. Spartan said these trailers were good for all seasons and that the insulation would help keep you warm in the winter. Further, Spartan says the floor was made out of five-ply plywood with dead air space and the underside of the trailer had a cover to provide more dead air space.

Spartan says electrical power came from a 110-volt system using cable certified by the Underwriters’ Laboratories. Additional electrical work comes in the form of a 6-volt system for the exterior lights and the trailer’s brakes.

Since Spartan’s trailers were designed to be in one place a bit longer, they came with residential-style appointments. The Spartanette Tandem included an “apartment size” range powered either by gasoline or propane. You also got full size cupboards, a sink, and a refrigerator. The rest of the appointments are like home including a primary bedroom and a living room. On special order units, Spartan gave the trailer a full bathroom including a bathtub, flushing toilet, forced ventilation, and a vanity.

The seller of this 1951 Spartanette Tandem says the body is in great shape and the trailer even includes period-correct Marmoleum floors. Everything is said to work, including the heater inside of the trailers’s shower. It looks like the trailer has been upgraded where it counts with a new RV toilet present and what appears to be an upgraded electrical system.

The seller also says the plumbing works but doesn’t say if you get any tanks. It was common for these trailers to not have holding tanks, but some owners ended up adding tanks later on. The rest of the trailer is said to be very original, including the original screen doors. All of that wood you’re looking at? That’s birch!

I could not find official documentation for the 1951 model year Spartanette Tandem, so I don’t have the exact specifications. However, by 1953 , the Spartanette Tandem got as long as 31 feet with weight as high as 5,925 pounds. Still, that’s not bad for a trailer full of metal and wood! Also good is the 6 feet, 8 inches of headroom in there.

If you’re as enamored as I am but have more money than I do, the seller, located in Prewitt, New Mexico, is looking for $39,000 for this trailer . Certainly, there are cheaper Spartanettes for sale, like one for $25,000. However, this one seems to be the best of all of them. I’ll warn you now, you might need to buy a different vehicle to tow something this classy.

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Mercedes Streeter

I’ll be damned – a gutted one just popped up on FB Marketplace right down the road from me. https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/340968088590177/?ref=category_feed

If I was the seller, I would’ve invested a few pennies to slap a plate on that AC outlet before taking pictures. Stuff like that can say a lot about how things have been taken care of.

Beautiful trailer… and not too heavy given the size and what you get.

Though I don’t think I can tow it with my Honda Fit. And I would have nowhere to store it.

I do hope it goes to a good home.

Mercedes, There’s a gentleman that’s written a few articles for Haggerty, who happens to have restored and modified a very cool Spartan trailer. If you have time to look up Barry Wolk, you’ll some pretty cool stuff. He’s also active on The Car Lounge for you yellow couch people out there.

Barry is the man. He knows his stuff and is really down to earth.

I love the Spartans. The Spartan Mansions are my favorite because nothing else looks like them.

Birch interiors with amber shellac finish are a special place to stay. They have a feel and scent all their own. We’ve had a vintage 1960’s “canned ham” trailer with a birch interior for over 10 years and is fun for a more rustic camping experience (no tanks, no bathroom, no hot water). It was a pretty cheap cost of entry to camping (a bit over $3000), but kind of like buying an old house, there was a lot of sweat equity into it, but unlike a modern camper, the vintage ones don’t really lose value and probably increase in value as long as you take care of them. You have to buy well though, or you end up basically reconstructing it.

Most impressive? 70 years later and no apparent leaks!

Shaping your whole trailer as an aircraft wing isn’t the greatest idea ever is it? …

Maybe if it were upside down acting like a spoiler. However, a lot of tear drops are built in an airfoil shape as well.

My experience towing a trailer of a very similar shape was that it worked really well except in a nasty crosswind.

Perhaps the low aspect ratio of span and chord would account for the adequate aerodynamics on these canned ham style trailers. Any other aircraft nerds/ any engineers care to weigh in?

Damn I want an Executive

I’ve also seen the modern variant of these referred to as “Destination Trailers”. You buy a piece of land on a lake and hire someone with an F-550 or F-650 to tow it there once, and it becomes your weekend getaway. They’re nicer than your average manufactured home.

Hitch this to a Dodge Power Wagon, haul it up a meadow in Alaska, and live free. Who needs more than this?

Many fancy. Such article. Very wood. Wow

Those birch wood interiors are always beautiful, not out of place in an ocean liner or luxury train of the period (actually, that cracked ice Formica in the bathroom and kitchen is the exact same material used in the First Class cabin bathrooms on the RMS Queen Mary, still in place in a few of them 87 years later)

As amazing as the slabbed aluminum shape is from the outside, it pales a bit to the warm lush glow of that birch interior in the sun. Stunning!

Mercedes a great find and write up. However as you so elegantly described this is a mobile home not an RV. Locate it at an oil field and leave it or sell it decades later when the oil field is done. Not an ideal RV towing it across country using more oil than the field provided and pollute the air.

These are basically forerunners of today’s park models. Not travel trailers, but still mobile enough to get dragged around. It’s lighter than either of my family’s campers! I’ve noticed that when these get restored, the builders will sometimes add a hookup for batteries and holding tanks. Add those and you have what’s more or less a “destination trailer,” or a park model-like trailer that could actually be used as a camper.

And people can and do tow them around like campers, though certain sizes and models are more adaptable than others.

Incidentally, the Redman New Moon in the Long, Long Trailer was intended as a semi-permanent trailer home, trying to use the unwieldy thing like an itinerant camper was a driver of most of the mishaps in the plot (that sucker was 36 ft and weighed over 6,000lbs)

I’m 100% seeing a Hudson Hornet towing that!

I was thinking more Chrysler Imperial.

I’ll go with a slightly older Town and Country wagon

E D S E L baby

Edsel Is Always The Answer

While maybe a bit too modern for this trailer, we at least know the drivetrain of a 1st gen Olds Toronado could easily pull the trailer around.

But my personal choice would be a Chrysler Newport convertible. Something about a big 60’s Chrysler convertible pulling a camping trailer screams mid-century postcard vacation to me.

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Rolling Luxury: 1951 Spartan Spartanette Tandem

“This trailer is definitely not for the PURIST!” says the ad, meaning if you insist on a faithful restoration, look elsewhere. Frankly, it’s hard to imagine wanting to live to the standards of 1951, when this 28-foot Spartan Spartanette Tandem was built. Instead, this offering here on eBay is for a custom restoration by William Ward of Vintage Trailer Coach Restoration in Chico, California (the travel trailer’s current location), and it’s gorgeous. The Buy It Now is $85,000, and the current bid of $75,100 doesn’t meet the reserve.

The seller says this polished aluminum trailer “will be the envy of any campsite or trailer rally,” and that’s not hyperbole. It gleams inside and out, and is ready for show or go. I’ve written about these Spartan Trailer Company coaches before, and included this bit of history:

Spartan, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, began by building airplanes, including Navy trainers during World War II. The company was acquired by oil tycoon J. Paul Getty, who pivoted it to making aluminum travel trailers and mobile homes (using lightweight, aerodynamic skills gained via the airplane business) after the war was over. The doors were shut in 1962, but the Spartan School of Aeronautics endures to this day.

According to the vendor this time, Spartans were “high-end travel trailers for wealthy clients. They soon earned a reputation as the ‘Cadillac’ of the industry,” with price tags akin to that of a small house.

So it’s a historically cool trailer, with everything new. Walnut panels line the interior, the appliances (including a dishwasher) are high-end stainless units, and there’s a large dinette that converts to a king-size bed. That complements the queen-sized bed in the sleeping quarters. There’s lovely cabinetry throughout, a new toilet, and new shower.

The electrics, which include LED running lights and 30-amp service, are all new, as are the polished propane tanks, axles, and brakes, trim and decals, hot water heater, air-conditioning, windows, gaskets, and screens. There’s a new awning, too.

We haven’t run out of new stuff. All the plumbing was renewed, as well as the upholstery, curtains, lighting, and flooring. Dig that cool vintage clock (below). Even the coffeemaker looks new.

This trailer meets the current historical moment. Sales of high-end trailers have soared in the pandemic because it’s a way to tour the country without having to deal with on-the-road bathrooms, hotel rooms, and restaurants. My friend Don, a college dean, bought something like this, though not similarly vintage.

So does this trailer have appeal? Actually, we know it has appeal. Can you afford it? It’s not going to go for a song.

No, I can’t! And even if I could, I’d go crazy obsessing over how to keep it sparkling clean! Really beautiful restoration, and that exterior…”It’s so bright, I’ve got to wear shades!!” LOL!! GLWTA!! :-)

Get a pair of cheap sunglasses.

For that price,it should come with a case of sunglasses. I’ll bet the neighbors at the campground are happy to see it being towed away on a hot,sunny weekend.

Your comment reminded me of my childhood ! The old couple who lived across the street from us had a large front yard. My bedroom was facing the street, and my bed against the window. For a number of years every summer one of their family would show up in a large Airstream and park in their front yard . Every morning the sun would hit the trailer and wake me up with a blast of sunlight to my face ; it would light my whole room ! .Whenever I see an old Airstream it brings me back to those old days.

This is a very nice trailer with well thought out and executed upgrades. The next owner will get what they paid for, a unique and comfortable luxury trailer.

Saw a similar one at the SEMA show a few years back. Incredible workmanship and attehtion to detail. Cool piece!

I love how the backend with the 2 windows reminds of a childhood memory – Rosie the robot maid on the Jettson’s Good memories.

I really, really like that old clock on the wall. They just don’t make ‘em like this anymore. (Lose the whitewalls though…)

Yes they do. Search “mid century atomic wall clock” and you will find dozens of brand new variations most ranging from $60-150.

I agree that the clock is way cool. You can find lots of mid century clocks like this at specialty antique shops. Saw a few already this year out west…… I’d love an old trailer but this is too nice for me to enjoy…………..

Hey Gregg, I think the buffed out( or chromed?) LP tanks are a plus. My old man had that type of square bar hitch, and it rode like a Mack truck( the old kind, not these cushy VOLVO Macks of today) I wouldn’t want to pull it with the drivers of today. And of course, in typical me fashion, what is so special about a shiny old travel trailer to the tune of $80 grand?

Hey Howard, I was thinking the same thing about the LP tanks. I’ve been keeping my eyes open up in Hayward for an old barn find small pull behind to add to the lake house for guests.and close-by camping………I’m out in Palm Springs now for the winter and don’t miss the cold and snow one bit…….it’s making me think differently about my next move……hmmmm.

As for the tires, they look cool sitting still but, it would be a chore and a half to keep them clean. So, for me, I’d go with black walls for the driving, and leave them on when parked.

You’re saying that you would change tires every time you drove it, and every time you parked it?

Spartan began building planes in 1928, way before WWII.

Hell no. A restored original interior, with new insulation, wiring etc, and some tasteful modern upgrades, would be the way to go, and probably at half the asking price. Not this blinding mirror-finish exterior and boring bland beige interior.

kind of generic interior I think it comes with a gallon of sun screen just so you can stand next to it.

These old trailers are spectacular; I’d use this one until it needed re-restoring, if I was a wealthy man. Just gorgeous. An old Spartan, or an old Airfloat… I can’t decide which is more appealing.

Cool rig, certainly attention grabbing. Looks to be a high quality build but the main area does not look very comfortable for just lounging, looks a little stiff. Would definitely have to add some cigar den vibe to it, just a tad. Needs warming up, too Spartan as is.

I own a ’49 Spartanette. I was lucky enough to find it in a trailer park, 1/2 mile from my house, and only 3 spaces from where I was born! It is fully intact, as the owner was waiting for someone who wasn’t looking to gut it, and repurpose his Spartan. My trailer is painted. Polishing and maintaining the finish on aluminum to this degree, is a never-ending task…but, undeniably beautiful! I have seen many Spartan trailers with the interior deteriorated to such an extent, only a new rebuild such as this is feasible…so, I don’t judge. Same with older Avion and Airstreams. If done well, with taste, and a pile of cash, they can emerge like this one.

For 85 large you could stay at 5 star resorts.

I would always be afraid some moron would back onto it, and then I would have to go to jail.

A very sought after new piece of equipment included, and underscored by the author, is the device that heats hot water. Don’t leave home without one.

It’s terrific. I’m not sure about the effort to keep the aluminum shiny but the interior is wonderful. Very well done by the restorer.

Should have spent a little less on Chrome and a little more on upgrading the dual purpose bath/shower. The modernized everything else and left a bathroom that would be outclassed by a pop-up today.

Interestingly the new interior in some ways reflects the plain plywood interiors so common in early trailers…..so in that way it’s sort of historically consistent if you’re a nut for originality as I can be. Thankfully there’s no Formica ! I think it will wear aesthetically over the years much better than many auto styles. Brown and yellow green plaid from the early seventies anyone. :)

Of course what period correct rig would you use to tow it? A COE? I’m looking at you HoA :)

Hi Mw, well, I’m a conventional man, and my last truck, an ’85 Peterbilt 359 daycab, I was going to mount a camper on the back. I saw a guy in Fl. that did that, but decided, I spent 35 years in those tincans, I didn’t want that in my retirement. Kind of funny you mention cabovers, they are all the rage now. I could see someone mounting this camper on the back of a KWhopper, like this. Be a lot better than pulling it. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/430516045620860945/

Never was a trailer guy, this is the exception to the rule, it’s totally cool, show piece, I think I’d be afraid to use it

Sweet! I love the cabinetry! But, too rich for my wallet.

Absolutely gorgeous!

75k Thats where 2 fools met one for offering that much and the other for not taking it. Wow

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                Immerse Yourself in History with Your Extra Special Stay in                The Spartan Village with the Cherokee National Forest surrounding you, local dining and shopping only minutes away and a vintage trailer coach and fresh mountain air for a wonderful night's slumber!

Step back in time with your stay at The Spartan Village, a trailerpark resort in vintage Tellico Plains, TN at the foothills of the Cherokee National Forest.

The story of the company is as fascinating as the homes they produced. It's a true American tale of innovation and the ability to adapt during difficult times and at The Spartan Village you may experience the thoughtfulness in design of the trailercoach you select: 

 #1/1953 Royal Spartanette

 #2/1955 Spartan Mansion

 #3/1953 Imperial  Spartanette

 #5/1954 Spartan Royal Mansion

ABOUT (The resort and owner Julie Johnston , PsyD )

The Story behind the creation of The Spartan Village – A Retro Trailer Coach Park

Although I am a native of Wisconsin, I have spent most of my life living in the South and have adapted very well other than learning to like sweet tea and eating any shape or form of okra. I retired from the Army in 2014 and the Federal Service in 2017 as an Intelligence Officer. So, I went from being a very busy bee to retirement and was not prepared for it. You know what they say about idle hands and the devil, well I started to look for a project. In short, I tried several things to include completing my PsyD and getting a certificate in hypnotherapy, which I enjoy very much; however, it did not satisfy my creative side. So, one day after overdosing on HGTV episodes and the Tiny Home explosion, I decided to develop  a retro trailer coach park using vintage Airstreams. I had owned two Airstreams in the past and decided they were the right direction to go in.  In my search of these vintage trailers, I stumbled upon the elusive Spartan travel coach, and it was love at first sight.

When I started to research the Spartan travel coach history and their connection to the military, I decided they would be the perfect vintage trailers to use in my park; however, little did I know how hard these suckers would be to find.

I found individuals in Ohio and North Carolina that collected and worked on Spartans and purchased three of them that way; however, lesson learned the rehab was better on some than others. I found Spartans on the Facebook Market Place, and on the Web; however, many of these beautiful historical Spartans had been left abandoned to the elements and were far too gone to rescue. I was on a rescue mission to find Spartan travel coach’s that were in their original condition that had been either restored or had the potential to be restored. I joined the Facebook Spartan Trailer group and found some Spartans through that forum but mostly I found the ones I eventually purchased on the Spartan Aircraft Trailers website.

While I was hunting down Spartan Travel Coaches, I was looking for land to put them on and that

became a challenge because I needed to find unrestricted property. I found the perfect property

in the little mountain town of Tellico Plains, TN that already had utilities on site. Thus began a long

three-year development of The Spartan Village, that had me crying at times and laughing hysterically

at other times. I had moments that I wanted to abandon my dream, and others when I started to go

in a different direction because I listened to others who did not share my vision. However, in the end

I remained true to my original dream of creating a one-of-a-kind retro trailer coach parks to share

with others and at the same time preserve a piece of our American history. So, come on down, step

back in time and relax without the distractions of modern times!

  Welcome to Tellico Plains, Tennessee

  the small town with the big backyard!

THINGS TO DO

Local Farms and Vineyards

Sweetwater Farm Creamery, Tasali Notch Vinyards, Hayde Farms.  Ask to see our complete list of area listings!

Leisure Activities

Something for everyone!!! If you would like to lazily float down the rivers or hike up to a waterfall! East Tennessee offers an amazing array of ways to relax!

Tellico Plains Tennessee

Picturesque small town located at the bottom of the Smokey Mountains. So much to discover !

The Cherohala Skyway

Start right in Tellico Plains TN drive through the mountains with breathtaking views from convenient overlooks, end your travel in Robbinsville NC!  

The Mennonites Farm Market

Step back into the past with this local farm market located on Fairview Road in Tellico Plains!  You will even see horse drawn carriages!

Local Entertainment

Musical, theater, dancing!  from The shed in Maryville to The Lyric in Loudon, along with local Tellico Plains entertainment, we can point you in the right direction!

GUEST REVIEW

Fantastic experience with The Spartan Village! My inlaws came down and stayed for 3 weeks in Tellico Plains at the park... from contacting them initially, booking , arrival and stay and leaving Julie the owner has provided a wonderful welcoming experience! Anyone wishing to stay in one of the trailercoaches, have an event, or just a great get away you will not be disappointed!

What an exciting experience at The Spartan Village in Tellico Plains, TN! The small quaint town made you feel so welcomed and having all the Cherokee National Forest activities at hand made the trip worthwhile. The kids learned how to fish for trout and the history of where we were! 

Plus, we cannot say enough about the trailercoach resort. What a concept! Thanks to Julie, our stay was so fun

 and we say to anyone wanting something different than a motel/lodge or cabin rental , having  an event, or just a wanting a great mountain getaway you will not be disappointed!                          . ..