1955 COMET TRAILER Canned Ham Style Brought Home Feb 2009
CROWLEY'S RESTAURANT This old menu was found behind closet when dismantling trailer. It is from the late 50's. This menu was behind the wheel well inside the closet. It had obviously slid back there years ago and been enshrined for posterity. It will be properly framed and become a part of the trailer's decor. Check out the prices. I'll bet the special combo pizza for $1.60 was a dandy. I researched and Crowley's went out of business in the 60's. The Greenville, Maine historical society requested a copy of the menu..... I will deliver it in person. (another good excuse for a road trip)
Please forgive the many apparently redundant pictures. They were taken for documentation in order to rebuild after complete tear down
A quick look around the outside Dirty but not bad
The most damaged of about 3 dented areas easily repaired
Bad sign for wood underneath
July 2009, Starting disassembly. Door and all windows will get new birch,screens and glass
Found inside in pretty sad shape
No sink and counter
Cabinet doors will be re-used Cabinet and Counter will have to be built from scratch
A set of springs from an old cot will fit perfectly here
Closet was ripped out doors and ice box re-used. Found the old diner menu inside under wheel well
The ice box was raised for better access to stored items. It will be used as a pantry. An elect refer will be added across in the counter
It quickly became obvious that everything would have to be gutted and new birch replacing the entire interior
The electric brakes actually work. They will be rebuilt and rewired.
Hubs and Wheels sand blasted and painted
Wheel Bearings and Races removed and replaced with new stock
All right, it is starting to look pretty nasty. When I got to the roof it became even nastier, and I decided the only thing to do was a complete ground up restoration.
Break Time
As well as taking the pictures for future reference, windows were marked, measured and notes taken for the rebuild.
Just some of what's hidden behind "patch and paint" jobs
Making Notes
Many years of "Critter collections" between the walls.... sleep tight
More of what is hidden between 55 year old walls
Comet tow vehicle in the background. The 1935 Willys Model 77 Sedan has a 6 cylinder 231 engine and tows the Comet very nicely.
Most of the railing had to be replaced
Odd size hub caps. I can't find them anywhere so I'm rebuilding them.
Retainer ring removed from outer cap
Cleaned up and coated with Osflo. Osflo contains 70% phosphoric acid. The phosphoric acid converts any reddish-brown iron(III) oxide (rust) that remains to black ferric phosphate (no longer damaging rust).
New Tires
Retainer ring repaired and epoxied to the hub cap. Works great and holds tight to the wheel.
Wire brushed, osflo'd to kill any remaining rust in the pits and it is ready for a heavy primer and smooth paint job
Now we are about ready to get started on the rebuild
I was going to try to go from here, but found I actually needed to remove the walls..... then the metal... then some more wood.... etc, etc.
I found the frame to be in excellent condition when cleaned up.
Masked for undercoat
Undercoating
Frame stripped, osflo'd, under coated and tongue painted
Finished frame with new tires
Started replacing bad wood
New wood was added where needed. Most of old frame was good, although most railing was replaced
Left side removed and set aside
Had to dig into floor a bit to remove frame bolt... floor repaired
Entire floor was very solid. Two corners like this were properly repaired
Again, a lot of these pics are just to remember what goes where
Right side being removed
The floor on saw horses Sides removed and placed to the side
Getting a good look at the floor
Floor was stripped top and bottom. The bottom received 3 coats of floor and deck enamel and under coated in wheel wells. Caulk was put in every joint even along the 2x4 frames Water will not get to this bad boy!
This old mini spare fits the hubs and will be fitted under the frame for a spare
Floor hung up to dry
Enameled floor can be seen through door
Let's play find the trailer parts
First undercoat on wheelwell
From under the deck. Grey porch and deck enamel, undercoat, etc.
New extra durable flooring on entire deck
Wiring 101. Make notes on metal walls
Framing for possible a/c location under dining bench. Later decided to put A/C in rear
New Birch Paneling being measured
Wheel wells painted, undercoated and caulked
Heavy Duty 55 gal Liquid Container. Used for wheel well liner/mud flaps.
These liners/mud flaps were placed inside the wheel wells as more extra protection I do not want water to get to this trailer
This heavy rubber "well liner/mud flap" runs from front to below the rear of the wheel well and from side to side.
New Birch Walls
Mixture of Golden Oak and Golden Pecan Stain to get the color I wanted. All joints will be hidden
Raising the walls to attach to frame
A former student, James, provided some invaluable help. Sorry to just get your better side James.
"T" support is holding upper panel against top 1x4 framing while construction adhesive drys
Staples were used for extra support in areas where they would not be seen
Now, if I throw this switch.....
Ahhh.... It is finally looking livable
Golden Oak/Pecan stain was covered with 3 coats of satin polyurethane
The old ice box was in great shape. It has been painted white and placed back in the trailer to be used as a pantry. It is still usable as an ice box draining out the wheel well, but I have installed a new electric refer under the kitchen cabinet
Old ice box painted and replaced a little higher in the closet
This will make a nice pantry
Closing up the front
Cabinets will be framed up and built inside
Wired up as a "Park Camper". Just plug it into a 30 amp socket and you are at home. I also installed 12v lighting just in case.
Where all the electrons hide when not running around in the lights and stuff...... electrical wiring 101
If you zoom in to the closet top, you can see the new tan gimp between the closet and the wall and ceiling. It has been put throughout the trailer.
A start on framing up the counter
New refer in place
Old ice box (pantry)
A single bed size cot spring rather than a piece of plywood for a more comfortable sleep. Storage access beneath.
Starting on the dining area
Dining table and upper storage rack
Left Dining Bench
Area cut under right dining bench for air conditioner, will vent to the outside..... may or may not use this.... not decided yet. Outside skin has not been cut yet.
Electrical schematic on fan in foreground
Wall Sconce Light
All lights were completely rebuilt with new sockets and wiring
It Works!
Insulation added to entire trailer sides and roof then covered with tyvek house wrap
New cabinet framed and covered with birch
It is starting to look like a kitchen with the original doors added
Oops! Thought I got rid of all those rats.
Dining storage framed
Birch Added
Dining light above table is 110v and 12v
Just need to trim the table and insert the front window
Roxy ordering steak again. Heart of sirloin for $2.95. Gotta love Crowley'S
Table makes into front single size bed. Judy (aka; the wife) has claimed the cot springs in the back......
Extra support members and roof vent framed
Running, Tail and License Light Wiring
Will add rails to roof supports then blue insulation and tyvek
Tyvek Housewrap
Water/condensation resistant
All the skin has just been cleaned, straightened as needed and made ready for replacement. It will be properly prepared and painted when on the trailer.
My attempt to show the 2" x 3/4" railing that I forgot to get a picture of before applying the tyvek. This is the rail that runs the full length of the trailer on both sides upon which to attach the skin
Applying the skin with all stainless steel phillips head screws
Front skin squared perfectly to the front window
New roof panels added. Old ones were rough and edges corroded.
Looking like a trailer again
Added a piece of redwood to finish off the front framing. I am considering attaching aluminum diamond plating across the front and back 22" high as a rock guard
Did tear down July thru Aug 2009. Started again Jan 2010. This picture dated April 25, 2010 (for anyone keeping track)
Bottom cap added to cover tongue and redwood
Rear splash apron
Starting on windows and doors. Windows will be disassembled, cleaned and polished. New glass and screen will be added.
All hardware will be replaced with stainless steel
Doors will be rebuilt first then windows.
Old birch and screen
Several pics for re-assembly
Hinge pin will be tapped back down
Door skin is excellent
Restoring Door Lock. Key does not work. All will have to be disassembled, re-keyed and re-assembled. I obviously have too much time on my hands.
Roxy says it's "Break Time"
Shade tree
Start disassembling doors
Cleaning and straightening door frame
Birch removed and doors separated
Bag, mark and picture everything.
Old Birch
New Birch
Wood frame has to be replaced.
Replacing bad framework
All skin removed from frame
Original 1955 door glass actually still had the original protective covering
New wood frame in work
New Birch on Door
Skin side of door with new wood frame
All Door Stuff
Door Skin Cleaned, Reworked and Attached. Outside door complete.
Inside Door Completed. Glass to be added and framed later.
Starting to Re-screen Screen Door
Stripping screen door for paint and new screen
Marked hinge for replacement later
Hinge removed, door sanded and ready for paint
Drying
Making plexi-glass slide for door handle access
Ready to add new screen
Hope I get the screen and not my finger
Roxie, aka The Rock, checking out the work on her screen door
Installing the J-rail
J-rail installed
Awning rail installed on top of J-rail
Time to start prepping for paint
Doors installed, perfect fit
A few pics of the inside as of 5-27-10
Starting on window restoration
All windows will be disassembled, cleaned, get new glass and screen... then polished
Old galvanized screen will be replaced with aluminum screen
Frames to be stripped and polished
Frame Stripped Old Plexiglass to be replaced with Glass
Rusty screws to be replaced with stainless steel
Glass to be cut
Cutting glass
Glass installed and window assembled
Start polishing end piece
All eyebrows need stripping and polishing also
One eyebrow partially stripped
Window and eyebrow completed All windows will be completed similarly
Disassembling Front Window turned out more difficult than others
Disassembled to install new gasgets
One of 4 small front windows to polish
Polished and ready to install in large front frame
Re-screening rear window and others as needed
Rear Window and screen assembled and ready to install
New Backframe Gasket from VTS for all windows
Using Black Silicone Caulk to hold gasket in place
Start of stained glass panel for door window
Rough Cut of Trailer and Palms
A/C fit perfectly in rear window. Mounts and removes easily. Window is still attached and closes when A/C removed.
Window closes when A/C is removed for travel.
Needs sanding, priming and painting
First, though, a quick shake down run
Guess I ought to remove towel and mock up of spare rack
Tight turn, may have to work on this exit thing...
1935 Willys Model 77 Sedan easily pulled 1955 Comet Vintage Trailer
Reconfiguring/rebuilding tail lights to be flush mount rather than bulb socket being recessed into trailer skin
Need to figure an assembly which will go completely inside lens area rather than having socket protrude out back of light base
Grounding bulb socket to mount. Entire assembly will now fit inside lens area allowing flush mount to trailer
We have lights
Wiring in Electric Brakes
Brake Control has quick disconnect for removal when not in use
Reese Brake Control with Quick Release Wired Inside
"Redneck" 5 wire trailer connector
Hey, it works great! Single wire on left is brake control.
Brake and Running Lights are from old school bus. Trailer is now roadworthy only needing paint to complete. I plan to go camping and take my time deciding on a paint scheme.
Not Painted yet but Camping
Roxy and I enjoying the wilds of Alabama
Caulking every place that looks like it has ANY chance of leaking
All caulking complete, prime and paint next
I need a tool and battery box
Not a good fit to the front of the Comet
Cut a little here and there.....
How cool is this???
Now a little refinishing and there's plenty of storage
Refinished
Battery/Tool Chest Mounted
Home for '55 Comet and '35 Willys
Masked and Primed
Ready for Paint
Painted with Semi-gloss
Color Matches Tow Vehicle
Let cure for a week, mask off and paint red Comet stripe
Backyard Camping until paint cures
Add some lights
Check out the Radio on the card table
Throw in the Tow Vehicle
Then Turn on the Lights
Comet Stripes and Insignia Added
Driver Side
Rear Insignia
The End Restoration Complete Feb 2009 - Oct 2010 Camping Pics will be loaded as taken
Finally, the first "real" camping trip
Three Rivers State Park, Florida Dec 9-12, 2010
Roxy limited by leash to her exploration
Alligator Bait??
Got rid of table for wrap- around seating
Decorating Practically
My Dad's Hats and Cane
