There have been a handful of these Spartan trailers on our site over the last year, and other one has popped up for sale. While many of the ones we have seen recently are in original condition, this one has been restored and is absolutely stunning. A 1956 Spartan Royal Manor, it can be found here on eBay in Austin, Texas. The opening bid is $99,000 but that is still short of the reserve price. I’m sure this one cost quite a bit to build, so I’ll be following the auction to see what the final bid ends up being.
Spartan Trailers was born out of the Spartan Aircraft Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After WW2 ended and there was no longer as big a need for planes, they shifted their attention to trailers. They set out to build the best trailers on the market, and spared no expense in their design. When a brand-new post-war tract home could be purchased for $8000, the $4000 price tag for a Spartan gets put in perspective. In fact, Spartan actually referred to their trailers as “homes” and the largest one was 10ft wide by 57ft long.
First of all, the seller has done a fantastic job of providing high-quality photos of the interior and exterior, and also included some of the construction. The exterior of this Spartan glistens with a mirror-like polish, and is absolutely eye-catching. Of course there really is no damage or flaws to be found, since it’s essentially a brand-new trailer now. According to the blueprints, this model is approximately 7.5ft wide and 32ft long.
This interior has been completely restored with a focus on sustainable and environmentally-friendly materials, and apparently the design was done by a famous “Red Bull athlete.” The only item saved from the original interior is the bathroom vanity mirror. The natural Texas pecan wood, whitewashed walls, cork flooring, fireplace, and metal accents combine to give this a rustic yet modern feel. There are also a few things that pay homage to the era this trailer was designed in – a modern, vintage-look fridge and original-style light switches, to name a few.
This trailer sleeps 4, with a queen bed in the rear and a table that converts to a bed as well. There is a large shower, composting toilet with exhaust fan, a small water heater, HVAC, upgraded electrical, 2-burner propane stove, a large kitchen sink, and plenty of storage. An excellent job was done combining functionality with the space limitations that are inherent in trailers. This is a “home” that I could certainly spend a lot of time in. If this were your trailer, where is the first place you’d take it?
“High” hopes on the price notwithstanding( bound to be some “smokin’ jokes) and in a country that has an ESTIMATED 20 million millionaires, I suppose $100g’s is chump change, but back on the old blue rock, wouldn’t this look cool behind that Jimmy road tractor spiffed out? Oh, almost forgot,,,they’re nuts.
Hmmm. built with sustainable materials. Is it towed by a vehicle powered by vegetable oil?
It better be. Still its beautiful.
I think it is really cool. The mini wood stove especially. Having owned two “average” priced RV’s I am sure the build quality on this is way better. Now compare this to a new Airstream 32ft model and the price isn’t crazy at all. Probably better build too.
What is a composting toilet.
A composting toilet:
Composting toilets are an invention that was created to function without water. They use a natural process to get rid of human waste from our homes.
I think maybe it will create logs to burn in the wood-stove but I’m sure of that. Another possibility, it creates artillery shells to fire at unruly naybors.
Hey Honey , can you get me one of those crappy logs? Its cold in here.
I get it. It turns logs into logs. Brilliant!
Puts a whole new meaning to dropping a log on the fire ;-)
Disgusting inventions, I’d just as soon crap over a log in the woods,,,a 5 gallon pail with a toilet seat works better.
“Hey look, Howard’s been here.”
Commented as one strolls through the woods.
Something we are all gonna need after the poop truly hits the propeller after the 2024 election.
I am in the wrong line of work. Spartans were a dime a dozen back in the day, they are heavy as lead compared to modern RV trailers, and unless they undergo heavy modifications to the chassis they would be a nightmare to tow anywhere near highway speed. Why would I spend over $100k on what was considered a trailer park queen a few decades ago, vs a far better handling 25-30 year old Airstream for a fraction of that?
With only 2″ thick walls and an aluminum exterior, you certainly couldn’t park it anywhere where it gets cold. It would be like living in an icebox, regardless of the type of insulation. More of a renovation than a restoration, there is nothing left inside to restore. Crazy price, but with what tiny houses (about the stupidest idea I’ve ever seen) are listing for, perhaps not so crazy..
Tiny houses are the stupidest idea you’ve ever seen? They partly exist because of what all houses are listing for these days. Also, because more people than ever live alone, while most houses were built for a family. I live alone in a 3 bedroom, 2 full bath 1200 sq ft house in the burbs. What a waste. But, I’m not going to live in a condo, apartment or town house with no yard or garage. I’d love a tiny house with a garage bigger than the house on some acreage. Some day.
Park this puppy at Ocean Waves Campground in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, and retire there.
And hope it floats 20 years from now.
Not to worry, a lot of us commenting here will be dead 20 years from now. Older than that trailer.
look cool, out of my price range but looks way cool
Bogus bids. No one’s going to drop that amount based on a few pics.
I want a tiny house with a four car garage.
YES! Or, build a huge steel building that’s essentially a huge garage and park something like this inside it as your living area. Or at least during the winter months. Then in the summer pull it outside.
I do feel like some “tiny houses” are a bit TOO tiny. 500 to 700 ft would be more than plenty and still be considered tiny to some.
actually the deffinition includes the 400 sg ft demention.
“Small homes” go 500, 600 upto 12, 14K sq ft. Gota ol man’s apt @ about the ‘tiny’ & don’t even use 1 of the 3 or 4 rooms. Lost a 3 bd rm in the country to the Great Recession & it has what I couldnt bring myself to dump…
Something like this could B backed onto a foundation (weight offa wheels/axels) in MidLantic (if in the East) and driven out
when rambeling @ little cost (climate change, we stay alot warmer than pre Y2K). Just need a tow rig (pay a deliverer?). Or leave it set. It’s bigger than my apt…
Now 100K$…? Dont think so…
You would no more take this on a road trip than you would a restored Duesenberg and it’s a whole lot more vulnerable to the slings and arrows. One day there will be Pebble Beach for trailers. You would have to place this one in a storage building or a hanger just to live in it and keep it from getting unintentionally damaged or worse yet vandalized. Gorgeous though.
Looks like something to sell cotton candy out of at the State Fair.
Looks great and someone put a bundle of work and money to get it there. Can’t see trying to pull this thing down the interstate at speed and add a cross wind seems to spell disaster.
Ended:Dec 26, 2021 , 10:12PM
Current bid:
US $99,100.00
Reserve not met
[ 2 bids ]