1958 Aljo! READY TO GO CAMPING!
New reproduction logos, new whitewall tires and new, high quality chromed baby
moon caps!
Windows all rebuilt with new seals & gaskets. A Retro Restoration
feature is the exterior plug near the awning rail, with a switch inside the
trailer... perfect for plugging in those party lights without dragging a power
cord around the trailer.
And now a look inside!
Original stove, icebox, and gas lamp. New curtains with an Elvis themed
print.
New comforter and pillows on the bed, add your own sheets and blankets.
This is our latest restoration available from Retro Restoration. 1958 Aljo 15'. This little trailer is in better than new condition! All new birch wood interior, new custom floor, upholstery, a new mattress (custom made coil spring, not a chunk of foam). New water system, appliances all refinished - 3 burner stove with oven and an icebox. We did save the original gray cross hatch counter & tabletops, it's too beautiful to replace. Under the skin has all the structural wood repaired and replaced as needed, the entire cabin is all new birchwood paneling with the classic amber shellac finish. All new insulation, upgraded wiring under the all new skin. Original color combo, a stunning white with turquoise in the original paint design and of course new reproduction Aljo decals. All new j-moldings, exterior lighting (retro style of course). Windows rebuilt with all new gaskets. New propane system (single tank). New wide whitewall tires & hubcaps, mechanicals such as bearings, brakes and tongue latch has been thoroughly checked out and is ready to be towed anywhere! This little jewel will be ready for another 50 years of Camping fun!
Below are the photos of the restoration process from start to finish. As you can see, this is truly a restoration and not just a cosmetic refurbishment.
The Restoration Begins!
July 14:
We begin taking it apart!
This is why we restore them like we do. Even though
this little trailer looked usable as is it literally began falling apart when we
removed the skin. Without any wood structure to hold it together the
trailer will continue to shake apart and there would be no way to stop the
leaks. We found a couple of wasp nests, but fortunately no mold or rodent
droppings.
July 18:
Almost
Apart
We're barely started but the seats are already back from the
upholstery shop! Not the right size but the two tiles will be the floor
colors. The floor will be in the correct 9" tiles.
July 22nd:
This is as far as we're going. The floor decking is very solid without any
soft spots at all, the frame needs some good cleanup but is not damaged or
rusted, wheel tubs are in good shape.
July 24th:
The rebuilding begins! New walls are built using a premium grade birch
plywood, ready for new finish. All interior parts will get 3-4 coats of
Amber Shellac, which will result in a beautiful golden hue.
July 31st:
A
lot more work has been accomplished, just not a lot of big changes. The
walls are finished, most of the cabinetry is being refinished and the floor is
done in the correct size 9" tiles. This is the correct time to lay
the floor, it will now be complete wall to wall flooring under the cabinets just
like original. Next week we reassemble the body!
August 7th:
Now it's starting to look like a
camper again. Most of the cabin is rebuilt, we just can't finish the back
until the galley goes back in (it won't go through the door!).
August 28th:
Sorry for the delays on updates! We were closed for a week to host our annual "Trailer Trash Bash" (www.swvca.com) and had a lot of catching up to do, plus I got a little lazy on updates. We've made a lot of progress however.
All the cabinetry is completed and installed. Attention to detail is what
sets our trailers apart.... notice the all new gimp (welting) in all the
corners, exactly like it was built at the factory. The trailer is all
rewired with circuit breakers instead of the old Buss fuses, including a 20A
outlet on the counter, handy for today's modern appliances or a space
heater.
Check out the original gray laminate. You can't buy this stuff new!
On to finish the exterior! All new Polyisocyanurate insulation and all new
aluminum skin!
Here it is back from the paint shop, just waiting the final assembly.