This is a 1960 Spartan 900 Carousel mobile home for sale on eBay. The design is interesting, inside and out. The exterior has a lot of aluminum to be polished!
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Modern Mobile Home Living
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danemodsandy
Well-known member
That's a Honey!
That is indeed a rare model, and it has been well cared for, even if it's not entirely original.
The only caveat would be that it's not remotely energy-efficient by today's standards; heating and cooling could well be more expensive than for a much larger modern house.
If I were not in Iowa, I'd love to own something like this. Not even the limited square footage puts me off - in fact, this unit's 500 square feet would be a bit of a step up for me, since I'm presently in 480 square feet.
Nice find.
That is indeed a rare model, and it has been well cared for, even if it's not entirely original.
The only caveat would be that it's not remotely energy-efficient by today's standards; heating and cooling could well be more expensive than for a much larger modern house.
If I were not in Iowa, I'd love to own something like this. Not even the limited square footage puts me off - in fact, this unit's 500 square feet would be a bit of a step up for me, since I'm presently in 480 square feet.
Nice find.
I can think of just the place I'd like to have that sitting for summer use.
Gorgeous Trailer!
This is a very interesting design. I usually associate Spartan with premium travel trailers but this is clearly intended for being lived in and not towed around as the front windows would need to be protected, plus at 50' its' weight would tax even a period Caddy, Lincoln or Imperial.
I'd like to think that after Babs Johnson, her son Crackers and traveling companion Cotton made the move from Phoenix, Maryland to Boise, Idaho they'd be living in a grand trailer such as this. With pink flamingos in the yard, of course!
This is a very interesting design. I usually associate Spartan with premium travel trailers but this is clearly intended for being lived in and not towed around as the front windows would need to be protected, plus at 50' its' weight would tax even a period Caddy, Lincoln or Imperial.
I'd like to think that after Babs Johnson, her son Crackers and traveling companion Cotton made the move from Phoenix, Maryland to Boise, Idaho they'd be living in a grand trailer such as this. With pink flamingos in the yard, of course!
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Trailers vs. Mobile Homes:
A lot of people say "trailer" for any mobile dwelling, but there's a difference between trailers and mobile homes.
A trailer is capable of being towed at the owner's will behind a passenger vehicle, although it takes a passenger vehicle of some size and power to tow some trailers.
A mobile home requires specialized moving vehicles, legal procedures and expertise to move.
I wince when I hear someone refer to a 32' X 80' Palm Harbor mobile home as a "trailer"; it always makes me want to ask them what in the Hell they are driving.
A lot of people say "trailer" for any mobile dwelling, but there's a difference between trailers and mobile homes.
A trailer is capable of being towed at the owner's will behind a passenger vehicle, although it takes a passenger vehicle of some size and power to tow some trailers.
A mobile home requires specialized moving vehicles, legal procedures and expertise to move.
I wince when I hear someone refer to a 32' X 80' Palm Harbor mobile home as a "trailer"; it always makes me want to ask them what in the Hell they are driving.
I really like the way some of the cabinetry is done, combining dark wood with light wood, as seen here in the bedroom. It is possible the wood is all the same, just some with a dark stain.
That would be a clever way of dealing with wood that has uneven shading, if you desire a more even appearance.
That would be a clever way of dealing with wood that has uneven shading, if you desire a more even appearance.
This is an awesome mobile home! I grew up having an aunt who was a "trailer-ite" and always admired their efficiency and styling. This one is just wonderful, although I don't agree with all of the 'improvements'. Oh to have the space to park this behind the house. This would make wonderful guest quarters.
lawrence
lawrence
This is an awesome mobile home! I grew up having an aunt who was a "trailer-ite" and always admired their efficiency and styling. This one is just wonderful, although I don't agree with all of the 'improvements'. Oh to have the space to park this behind the house. This would make wonderful guest quarters.
lawrence
lawrence
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Lawrence:
If you ever get the space to park such a thing behind your house, I wish you well with getting the necessary permits inside Atlanta city limits.
The City of Atlanta does not like mobile homes.
If you ever get the space to park such a thing behind your house, I wish you well with getting the necessary permits inside Atlanta city limits.
The City of Atlanta does not like mobile homes.
matthewbrodie
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2012
- Messages
- 55
it's a shame.
This picture has been popping up alot on ebay. It's a scam Check out the tin can tourist website. they have saved a lot of people from getting taken. It usually goes hand it hand with i'm gonna scrap it if it doesn't sell. Or the other buyers backed out... Usually ask for a huge deposit to be wired to him..I do know where two of these are sitting and being lived in near Brunswick Georgia.. I am just waiting patiently for the owners to no longer need them....
This picture has been popping up alot on ebay. It's a scam Check out the tin can tourist website. they have saved a lot of people from getting taken. It usually goes hand it hand with i'm gonna scrap it if it doesn't sell. Or the other buyers backed out... Usually ask for a huge deposit to be wired to him..I do know where two of these are sitting and being lived in near Brunswick Georgia.. I am just waiting patiently for the owners to no longer need them....
That is fun to see - it would be a fun vacation or lake house. Do we think the large cabinet in the hall near the refrigerator (space) might have been for a washing machine? Years ago, my father had a 60's mobile home on a piece of lakefront property he bought at a tax-auction. It was minty clean and really never lived in, but had a similar space near the bathroom where there was a Norge automatic washer tucked into a cabinet.
Most municipalities hate mobile homes and have strong prohibitions against them outside of specifically zoned areas. In the case of this Spartan although it is larger than a normal travel trailer it is still smaller than most mobile homes, which are generally built of modules 54-60 feet long and 12-14 feet wide. This one is only 10' x 50', closer in size to a large "toy hauler" travel trailer meant to hold motorcycles or ATVs plus living space; some of those get up to 40' long and 8'-6" wide. TOL motorhomes can be even longer, up to 45', and both those and large trailers often have "slide-outs" that increase the width significantly.
Given that the aesthetic of the Spartan exterior is very much that of a '50s or '60s streamline travel trailer and not a conventional mobile home it would be interesting to try and park it in a backyard on a driveway. It also still has a hitch and wheels, both of which are usually removed from mobile homes once they're permanently parked; it's not unusual for mobile home axles to be removed and reused as well. Using the Spartan as living space would unquestionably be illegal as parked vehicles are considered to be stored and not additional living space, but you might be able to get away with it in some places provided it was fairly hidden from the street. It would certainly make a fabulous guest house, I know I'd want to visit.
Given that the aesthetic of the Spartan exterior is very much that of a '50s or '60s streamline travel trailer and not a conventional mobile home it would be interesting to try and park it in a backyard on a driveway. It also still has a hitch and wheels, both of which are usually removed from mobile homes once they're permanently parked; it's not unusual for mobile home axles to be removed and reused as well. Using the Spartan as living space would unquestionably be illegal as parked vehicles are considered to be stored and not additional living space, but you might be able to get away with it in some places provided it was fairly hidden from the street. It would certainly make a fabulous guest house, I know I'd want to visit.
Ah, but remember that Babs executed the Marbles for being a**holes, which is why she and her family had to get out of Maryland. I do think the Spartan would suit them beautifully, what with that lovely big window on the end where Edie could have her playpen and watch for the eggman to come skipping through the woods to bring her eggs. Bab's '57 Coupe de Ville would look right at home parked outside too.
retromania
Well-known member
I love it!!!
What a fun design!!!
What a fun design!!!
whirlcool
Well-known member
Isn't the politically correct term for trailers "Manufactured Housing?"
When I was growing up there were a few trailer parks on the edges of town. One year the city passed a zoning ordnance prohibiting them and in a few weeks they were all gone.
In college there were a few trailer parks filled with trailers that the owners rented out to college students. Most of them were roach motels. I had a buddy that lived in one. He said they were hot during the day and cold at night. But they were economical. Another guy I knew had parents that bought him a trailer house to live in at school. All he had to pay was trailer park rental of $35.00 per month. Then when he graduated they sold the trailer to another student.
What happens to trailers when they start to fall apart or are abandoned?
When I was growing up there were a few trailer parks on the edges of town. One year the city passed a zoning ordnance prohibiting them and in a few weeks they were all gone.
In college there were a few trailer parks filled with trailers that the owners rented out to college students. Most of them were roach motels. I had a buddy that lived in one. He said they were hot during the day and cold at night. But they were economical. Another guy I knew had parents that bought him a trailer house to live in at school. All he had to pay was trailer park rental of $35.00 per month. Then when he graduated they sold the trailer to another student.
What happens to trailers when they start to fall apart or are abandoned?
ptcruiser51
Well-known member
@ Whirlcool
My parents lived in a 55+ enclave of "manufactured housing", which others in town just referred to as "the trailers".
I learned what becomes of "old" mobile homes driving back and forth through NC and SC on my way to my new home in FL. They are mostly left to rot and fall apart on their own. The "replacement" is often parked right next door. I saw plenty of these carcasses with all four walls collapsed "out" and a rotting framework within.
Trailers/mobile homes will always have a stigma attached, no matter what.
My parents lived in a 55+ enclave of "manufactured housing", which others in town just referred to as "the trailers".
I learned what becomes of "old" mobile homes driving back and forth through NC and SC on my way to my new home in FL. They are mostly left to rot and fall apart on their own. The "replacement" is often parked right next door. I saw plenty of these carcasses with all four walls collapsed "out" and a rotting framework within.
Trailers/mobile homes will always have a stigma attached, no matter what.
