Prepare your eyeballs for this gem — a rare 1959 ‘Spartan Carousel’ trailer that, as its name suggests, includes a fabulous circular kitchen. This beauty was spotted for sale in Arizona and posted on the Vintage Mobile Homes for Sale Facebook page by midcentury travel trailer enthusiast Pete, owner of his own gorgeous 1964 Shasta Astroflyte trailer.
Folks, this mid mod mad trailer has it all — amazing circular kitchen with warm wood cabinets, a pink wall oven and sink, lovely copper accents, pendant lights — and topping it all off (literally), a circular dropped ceiling with a cutout featuring a sputnik chandelier. Oh, and it has a pink bathroom, too. Overall, it looks to be in pretty good shape — with some sensitive restoration (get the white paint off that original coppertone backsplash, please!), we can then imagine redecorating this Spartan Carousel in any number of retro ways to make this the grooviest tiny house on the planet. Who else is ready to downsize?
I emailed the seller of the trailer, Steve, who was more than happy to let us feature this beauty on the blog. Thanks Steve!
Steve writes:
From what I know the trailer was purchased new in Mesa, Arizona, and then was moved up into Northern Arizona in its current location sometime in the late 1960’s or early 70’s. It has been used as a summer getaway/cabin since then, as it is up in the pines and 25-30 degrees cooler than Phoenix in the summer months.
I am selling our extremely rare 1959 Spartan Carousel 10 x 50 mobile home trailer. This vintage trailer is on three axles from the factory and can be moved. This vintage mobile home has been an Arizona trailer since new and has the original manuals, which are almost non-existent.
If you are looking at this ad you likely are already fully aware of just how extremely rare the Spartan Carousels are. Only a few of these have been offered for sale in the past decade, and I have never seen another Arizona trailer listed at any point. Arizona gives you the advantage of no rust issues and pitting issues, due to the dry climate.
This trailer has often been referred to as the ultimate midcentury tiny home or Eames in a box. You cannot get anymore midcentury modern or atomic in styling than this. This trailer would make a fabulous home-office, guesthouse or tiny house for full-time living. It is a one bedroom, one bath, with the living room and, of course, the stellar rounded kitchen with Sputnik lamp fixture.
The trailer is original and is never been restored. The interior has been painted, and the carpet part of the flooring has started to be removed so that new flooring can be installed. The trailer is sold in as, is-where is condition. The trailer is located in a park that is approximately three hours north east of Phoenix, Arizona.
$40,000 obo
Serious inquiries only please!!
There’s even a pink bathroom!
- See the Craigslist listing for the Spartan Carousel trailer on the Northern Arizona Craigslist — NOTE, listing long gone, this story was from 2016.
Kelly Wittenauer says
That kitchen is amazing! A museum should buy & preserve this beauty. Hope being on Retro Renovation will get it into the right hands, like with the recent Youngstown cabinets.
Heidi E. says
Wow…I don’t want to live in a trailer( enough trouble to deal with the cramped quarters of a 900 SF bungalow given my taste for large dogs as family members), but I would love to be able to replicate that kitchen in a regular house.
Doug says
I didn’t see it mentioned yet, but, the round ceiling fixture in the kitchen was also a skylight to brighten up the kitchen during the day with out lights on. Just search Spartan Carousel Skylight and you’ll find the references. Here is another link to some great photos of another Carousel in great shape you might enjoy seeing.
http://mobilehomeliving.org/1959-spartan-mobile-home/
Karin says
It’s hard to believe that such a fantastic kitchen is hidden in this box.
What a treasure. The price is incredible. I could buy it and haul it to Canada, but that would raise a few eyebrows at Customs. Oh well, a gal can dream. Thank you for showing a truly inspirational kitchen.
Dan O. says
Yeah, sure this trailer is beyond awesome but just picture your neighbor backing this monster into their driveway, how cool would it be then? Somehow I think even the biggest mid-mod fan would respond with “oh HELL to the NO!”, heh..
Carolyn says
Oh, I don’t know Dan O. – it’s no different than today’s behemoth Class A or C RV’s, larger travel trailers/5th wheel/toy haulers. And it would be a seasonal thing since the owners would want to use it for, um…traveling or camping. These things tow like a dream (except, of course, in high winds which affects all vehicles!) since the “family car” back then was large and powerful.
But I think the majority would want to find a site to park it and visit to reduce the likelihood of damage from someone crashing into it on the road. Unless you’ve had access to one, you don’t know the the “feeling” when it comes into sight – aaahhh, we’re where we belong…
Katie B. says
Makes me want to buy a piece of property and put a vintage trailer on it. This one has been maintained so well. Unfortunately, all the cool vintage trailers around here are usually gutted and become “wine trailers”.
Carolyn says
Katie B. please define “wine trailer” – thanks!
Katie B. says
I live near the Napa Valley. Apparently, it’s a popular thing to convert the inside of cool vintage trailers into a place to drink wine lol. They add wine storage and wine fridges, etc. and remove the beds and kitchen. I’ve seen a few for sale on Craigslist, and my husband has seen them at wineries when he was doing work there. I assume it’s a regional thing.
steve vickery says
I would risk prison for this.
Charmaine says
I would love this it would be the only one in Tasmania infact possiably in Australia,the price is fantastic its a shame i cannot have it transported here as i would buy it in a heartbeat
Charmaine says
Love it want it
Juniper says
I wish! Can I just keep it right where it is? I’ve always wanted a summer place up north.
tammyCA says
I don’t know why all images here are blurry on my iPad..but, from what I can make out the trailer is amazing. The circular kitchen & pink oven..so cool! Every time I watch flippin RVs I start daydreaming about vintage trailer cuteness. Did you know there are miniature dollhouse trailers? Just saw them in a miniatures catalog.
pam kueber says
Tammy, re the blurry images, I have no idea why this happening. First line of attack: Does your iPad have the latest software update from Apple? I know that I have make sure my iPhone is updated all the time…
Katie B. says
Same here on my Android phone. It started about a month(?) ago and it’s only on this site.
pam kueber says
Ok. I’ll get after it. Ugh.
Can you let me know if/when it’s fixed?
Katie B. says
Will do. 🙂
Emma B says
It’s been happening to me on the iPad for a while too, but if you hold down on the picture and open in a new tab, you can see them clearly.
pam kueber says
My developers have replicated the issue — they are working on it!