Mel and I are looking into purchasing a home in the near future. I have long wanted to have a property that had at least 2-3 acres where I can create my idea of cool guest quarters. I think it would be fantastic to purchase a few large Spartan campers and permanently place them on the property as guest quarters. You can actually find the large Spartan campers on Craigslist occasionally for a reasonable price (I have seen them for $1600, needing interior resto). I think at least three of them would be great. I would have power, water, heating, and cooling hooked up to them. I have also thought this would be a great idea for a motel if you had the space and the access to lots of retro campers. Anyways, I would buy them one at a time and go through them and keep them original on the inside and bring them back to life. When family or friends would come to visit they could have this amazing experience staying in their own spacious camper. This idea really gets my designer and restorer juices flowing. You could even do each one in different themes such as Tiki, diner, Coca-Cola….. the options are endless. Here are a few I would LOVE to get my hands on:
Ok, just imagine, you wake up, grab the paper and a cup of coffee and sit in front of this fantastic window staring out at the coming morning. I love that they made one of the ends all windows.
Look at how long this one is. It would be like living in your own flat. Once the camper was jacked up and permanently parked I would plant shrubbery and flowers around it with a walk out deck.
I love when these are all shined up. I would make sure I had enough polish on hand to keep them shinning like a new penny.
Not all the Spartans were huge. This one seems to be a smaller one but still would be great as a guest house.
Imagine the privacy your guests would have. I could just imagine doing your dishes as you look out over the property.
Here is a shot of the interior of a spartan from 1959.
Here is a shot of the chandelier in the same kitchen in the above ad. This photo is of a Spartan that requires restoration.
As you can see from the photos below they had many different arrangements in these fantastic campers.I would keep everything original. I would even try to find period furniture and appliances with a functioning retro television. I would want my guests to feel like they had stepped back in time.
The great thing about these campers is that the paneling had a really warm glow to it. If I am not mistaken I think the paneling was birch paneling. I love the varnish on them and how the light just shinned. Here are some examples of what the paneling can look like when re-finished, or if it has been taken care of.
It looks like gold and makes me feel so welcome.
It would be great sitting there and reading Atomic Ranch magazine.
Look how the wood shines
The counters look great!
Someone loves Jim Reeves. Look at the cute sitting area.
Here is one that looks like a new deck has been added.
I hope to one day realize this dream. It will not be anytime soon but I will not get discouraged. I will make sure that whatever home we buy allows me an area to make this a reality. I hope all of you think it is cool idea as well.
P.S.
Our good friends Ms. Adventure and Sheri let us know of “Shady Dell“, it is located in Arizona and they have put the idea of a hotel with trailers & a yacht into action. Kate of the B-52’s also has a spot in New York called “Kate’s Lazy Meadow Motel“. Thanks Ms. Adventure & Sheri!
Hepcats Haven 
I am ready for an invite or to make a reservation! Whichever one works for you guys! 😉 As a full time RVer, these trailers look divine to me! I know your dream will come true!
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Thanks Sherry. I appreciate your confidence. I hope it can happen.
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I think its a brilliant idea and you are lucky you both have same ideas in mind.(my hubby and I are so opposite in likes ) I reckon you will do it to as you are a real go getter.I look forward to following your adventure in getting started..
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Thanks Nelly. I am determined that if we get a house I will do this. I am even more determined now that I have received soo much positive feedback.
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That is the perfect dream! Guests would absolutely love staying in those. And it would be so cool to see them on your property day after day and get to decorate them like little playhouses.
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I agree Eartha. It would be soo fun to decorate each and make each one different from the other.
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These trailers make my heart sing! I wish we could get them here in Australia…
x Molly
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Hey Molly,
I hope all is well! I wish you had these over there too. I am sure you have really cool stuff we don’t have though.
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This is seriously the COOLEST idea I have ever seen. So original and absolutely adorable. I want to live in one.
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Thanks Kelly!
I thought I might be alone.
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I so love the Spartans! We are in the middle of a full resto on a 1968 Airstream. It certainly is a labor of love!
Every year we take part in the Tin Can Tourists gathering just outside of Detroit (May and September). Vintage trailers of all makes and models. It’s like being in a museum. What a fantastic time! If you are ever in the midwest, it certainly is worth a stop.
Also check out The Shady Dell- http://www.theshadydell.com/ They are on top of the whole motel thang.
Kate of The B-52’s fame has a spot in New York- http://www.lazymeadow.com/index.php?page=our-rentals
Good Luck!
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I think that is sooo cool that you are restoring an Airstream! I would love to see some pictures. Thanks also for the note on the Shady Dell and Lazy Meadow!! Mel and I will have to stay at either or both places one of these days.
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Hah! Miss a day & see what happens – I’m FIFTH on the list for a reservation! Book me baby! :- ) What a wonderful & unique idea Hepcat. And I know you will make it real. And I’m going to be “on location” watching every step of the way. ;- ) Hoo-Boy!
~Vic~
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Lol, that will be great cuz I could use the help. I will let you know.
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Here’s a place for you!
http://www.theshadydell.com/
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Thanks Sheri,
I added this info to this post. It looks like a cool place to stay.
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I love this idea. I have been wanting to do something similar for years. I just need to convince my husband!
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Cool! I am surprised how many people have the same idea. I really hope to be able to accomplish this.
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I think the first picture you posted is from another trailer-motel setup – El Cosmico in Marfa TX. Super cool place my husband and I just stayed. They have vintage trailers, teepees, and yurts.
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Oh, some of these images are positively swoonworthy! We just have a little 1964 Serro Scotty camper but I dream of bigger places like some of these park model mobile homes. But where would I keep all my collected vintage stuff?! A gal can dream! Thanks for the inspiration!
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That’s a great camper. I hope to have this dream become a reality one day but not anytime soon.
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