1950 Vagabond Trailer Model 19
Boy, sometimes I get so lucky. My third Vagabond
One day I received an e-mail from a lady in northern Michigan. She saw a picture of me at a trailer rally with my 1953 yellow 35 ft. Vagabond, and managed to find me via the internet. She explained that a few months prior, her husband bought her an old trailer for Christmas. It seems she fell in love with the quaintness and beauty of the wood interior. Now, just a few months into the new year, he wanted to take it and cut it up to make a hunting cabin out of it.
From the sound of the story at first, the trailer most likely wasn’t anything to write home about. She said it was perfect inside and didn’t have a dent on the outside. Ever hear the phrase “anything that sounds too good to be true, is”? She didn’t even know how long it was, let alone what the make was. I told her to send me some info and perhaps I might know someone back there that might be interested.
The following week I got an e-mail letting me know it was a Vagabond. And, it was a 19 ft. Vagabond, a 1950. I couldn’t believe it. I’d been looking for a 19 ft. Vagabond for years. Now, once again the good part. What kind of condition? I asked her for some pictures and nearly passed out when they came. Another near perfect trailer knocking at my front door. The following day I was on a plane from California to Detroit, rented a car and drove several hours in the snow to the northern peninsula. Upon arriving, I was greeted by the nicest couple. Out we went to the back, I looked, I bought, I shook hands on the deal, and promised to return with my truck in a month or so.
Well, the following month my friend Jerry and I took what we called Steven and Jerry’s great driving adventure. We had a blast driving both ways cross country. We even found another trailer to liberate parts off of for future use… another great story for another time.
When I got the trailer home and started to clean it out, I found the For Sale sign from the original owner. I managed to contact his daughter, who told me that the reason the trailer was in such incredible condition was that her parents used it only a few times and then put it under a covered shed next to their barn. Put to sleep for over 55 years, never to be seen until now.
So enjoy these photos. From the first time I saw it covered in snow, a little panel restoration, a fresh original color paint job, to the magnificent piece it is today.
I swore I’d never sell this one. It’s my third Vagabond. I’d never sell it unless I found something a little more rare. Maybe # 4?
The day has now come to sell. I found another Barn Find. The only known pre war 1940 masonite sided Vagabond known, the condition????? What do you think. Find it on the web site.
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