Ruby’s Revival: The Awakening

After months of anticipation and casual chatter, the moment has finally arrived to formally introduce you to our latest and most ambitious renovation project: a magnificent 1946 Spartan Manor vintage camper. Get ready to embark on an incredible journey with us as we breathe new life into this classic beauty, now officially christened Ruby’s Revival!

For those just joining our adventure, let’s take a brief trip back to where it all began. Last fall, I had the privilege of visiting K’s family in picturesque south Georgia. It was there, amidst the tranquil surroundings, that I first laid eyes on the vintage travel trailer K and I had often discussed. This particular gem, a 1946 Spartan Manor, held a special place in K’s family history, having served his grandfather and father primarily as a “shop” trailer. This unique past meant it was never fully equipped as a living space – no integrated stove, no bathroom, and certainly no plumbing. Unlike the more commonly known Airstreams that frequently capture the attention of DIY enthusiasts, Spartan Manors are a testament to a bygone era of craftsmanship, manufactured by a company that is no longer in operation. What makes our Ruby even more special is that 1946 marked the very first year of Spartan Manor production, adding a remarkable layer of historical significance to our project.

K, deeply rooted in family sentiment, envisioned the restoration of this camper as a way to “keep it in the family” and perhaps even transform it into a mobile sanctuary for road trips and new memories. While the path from its current state to a fully restored, road-ready marvel is undeniably long and filled with challenges, I recently returned to south Georgia. This visit provided the perfect opportunity to meticulously document Ruby’s “before” condition through a series of photographs and videos, which I’m thrilled to share with you today.

Our trip wasn’t solely dedicated to the camper, however. K and I joined his parents to assist with extensive tree cutting and property cleanup. South Georgia had been significantly impacted by Hurricane Michael, leaving a landscape dotted with fallen and precariously leaning trees. Many of these had caused considerable damage to the fence line separating their property from neighboring farms. So, we spent a dedicated weekend, from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, contributing to the substantial clearing efforts.

If you followed our stories on Instagram, you might have already caught a glimpse of our progress with the tree work. I plan to detail that in a separate post, complete with video footage. However, the sheer volume of “before” pictures of our vintage camper demands its own dedicated spotlight. I’ve been eagerly awaiting this moment to share the official kickoff of Ruby’s Revival, and I simply couldn’t wait any longer!

Introducing “Ruby’s Revival”: Our Vintage Camper’s New Identity

A while back, I reached out to our wonderful community for help naming our beloved project. It seems fitting to start there. Initially, I was quite taken with “Dottie,” a name that would honor my spirited Granny. She once owned her own camper and explored the length and breadth of the U.S. in it, creating cherished memories that she often recounted. My attachment to her, as many of you know, runs deep. However, K also harbored a desire to name the camper after a member of his own family. Given that this trailer originated with his family (though it now belongs to both of us), the “family name” argument became a delightful point of contention.

Ultimately, we opted for a name that captured the vintage essence of the camper without specific familial ties, yet lent itself perfectly to a project-oriented identity. The suggestions poured in, and we were truly grateful for all your creative input! After carefully reviewing every name on our list, “Ruby” emerged as the singular choice we both enthusiastically agreed upon. And thus, Ruby’s Revival was born! It perfectly encapsulates our mission: to revive this timeless piece of history and bring it back to its former glory.

Before diving into the nitty-gritty of the restoration, we felt it was essential to capture a group “before” photograph, a visual anchor to look back on as Ruby transforms. Naturally, our furry companions, Charlie and Stella, were an integral part of this momentous occasion.

To keep you organized and ensure you don’t miss a single step of this exciting restoration, we’ve created a special category on the blog dedicated exclusively to Ruby’s journey. You can access all related posts and updates directly from its dedicated page:

In addition to detailed blog posts, I’ll be developing a comprehensive video series and playlist, documenting the major milestones and challenges of Ruby’s makeover. These episodes will be available on a dedicated page right here on the blog, and of course, you can subscribe to my YouTube channel to follow along with every chapter of this exciting transformation.

Ruby’s Exterior: A Glimpse of Her Past Potential

Despite the widespread destruction caused by the hurricane across nearly every part of the property, we were incredibly fortunate that both K’s parents’ house and the vintage camper were spared any direct hits. It was truly surreal to witness the numerous fallen trees that had miraculously angled away from the old travel trailer, leaving it largely untouched.

We certainly got lucky! The immediate challenge ahead involves figuring out the most efficient and safe way to extract Ruby from her secluded spot, given the intricate web of surrounding trees. However, we believe all things will come in due time as we plan each phase of the restoration.

Undoubtedly, Ruby’s exterior currently presents a picture of age and neglect. It’s covered in layers of grime, oxidation, and the remnants of decades spent exposed to the elements. Yet, beneath this weathered facade lies immense potential. We envision a stunning transformation once we meticulously polish her aluminum skin, restoring it to a gleaming, mirror-like finish that will reflect the sunlight beautifully. We’ve dedicated a significant amount of time to researching the best restoration techniques and products for vintage aluminum trailers. Our hopes are incredibly high that our efforts will yield the dazzling results we dream of.

Ruby’s Interior: A Spooky Start to a Bright Future

While I’ve previously shared a glimpse of Ruby’s exterior, the true reveal for this post is the interior cabin! It’s considerably cleaner now than during my initial visit, which has allowed me to better visualize its immense potential. I’ll even share some of our nascent design ideas in the video tour below.

If I had managed to capture these interior shots before Halloween, they would have been perfectly themed for an October post! The current state of Ruby’s cabin is, to put it mildly, downright spooky. Imagine peeling wallpaper, dusty surfaces, broken windows, and a general air of abandonment that only adds to its eerie charm. It certainly doesn’t scream “adventure” just yet, but it does evoke a strong sense of a forgotten past, waiting to be rediscovered.

Despite the scary appearances, the leaks, and the inevitable water damage accumulated over decades, a significant portion of Ruby’s interior features remains original. This preservation of history fuels our excitement even further. We are absolutely chomping at the bit to begin the extensive gutting process, paving the way for an entirely new and functional layout. Our ambitious plans include designing distinct areas for a cozy bedroom, a fully-equipped kitchen, a compact yet efficient shower and toilet facility, and a comfortable living area. The possibilities feel endless, and we’re eager to transform this dilapidated space into a charming, modern, and highly functional home on wheels.

Exclusive Vintage Camper “Before” Video Tour

For an even more immersive experience, we captured detailed video footage of Ruby’s current state. This video tour provides a fantastic opportunity to get to know K a little better as we walk through the interior, discuss the camper’s fascinating history, and outline our initial plans for its future. You’ll get a real sense of the scale of the project and our excitement.

This undertaking is undoubtedly monumental. Until we can equip Ruby with new wheels and relocate her closer to our home, progress might appear painstakingly slow. Sourcing replacement parts for missing components, especially for a rare 1946 Spartan Manor, presents a significant challenge. We are currently in the thick of extensive research, scouring eBay, Craigslist, and various online forums, trying to gauge the rarity and availability of original or suitable parts. Our fingers, toes, and everything else are crossed, hoping that all the pieces will eventually fall into place. We anticipate a considerable financial investment in this project, meaning the pace of restoration will naturally depend on the income generated by the blog, which we hope to reinvest into acquiring RV parts, undertaking necessary repairs, purchasing appliances, and much more. The “to-buy” list, my friends, is undeniably LONG!

We sincerely hope you enjoyed this initial tour of Ruby’s Revival. Now that you’ve seen her in her raw, untouched state, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you have any suggestions for preserving a piece of her original charm? We plan to largely gut the interior, but I’m keen to salvage a small piece of the old camper to create a unique art piece or memento to carry with us on our future adventures. Perhaps even a second piece for K’s parents. Also, if you know of any active vintage RV communities or restoration groups on Facebook that we should join, please share your recommendations! Your collective wisdom and support mean the world to us as we embark on this exciting journey.