It was quite “the project” when they first bought it, but now Shelly and Greg — along with Looly the Shih-Tzu — love spending time at their 1958 Terra Cruiser Trailer vacation home in Arizona. Their real estate agent recommended they tear it down — but once Shelly and Greg spotted all the pink perfection beneath coats of 1980s paint, they were hooked. 16 bottles of Citristrip later — and this rare trailer is back in original form. And it’s a real beauty!
Here are photos from my 1958 Universal Terra-Cruiser trailer in Arizona (aka the Love Shack).
About seven years ago we were looking for a cabin in the pines in Arizona. Everything was crazy expensive, but then our realtor said she had a great lot for us. “Never mind the icky old trailer on the property… tear it out and build your dream home!” she gleefully recommended. It was an amazing lot (creek, pines, oaks, fruit trees, etc.) so we sealed the deal, and the newly-dubbed Love Shack was ours.
Once we cleaned heaven-only-knows-how-many-years of grime off every surface imaginable, took out all the kokopellis and navy blue *everything*, we started noticing the trailer’s charms… birchwood paneling, groovy original hardware throughout, jalousie windows, etc.
Most importantly, however — the smidge of pink peeking out from under the white paint that covered the toilet, sinks (bath + kitchen), tub, shower surround, kitchen backsplash, and gas stove. After about 16 bottles of citristrip (and many scraped knuckles), we uncovered gleaming, mostly pristine pink 1958 beauty!
[Editor’s note: Precautionary Pam reminds: Readers, there can be vintage nastiness such as lead paint and asbestos in the layers of our vintage homes. Be sure to consult with your own properly licensed professional to be sure what you have so that you can make informed decisions before remodeling. Be Safe / Renovate Safe. ]
I posted some pictures of the place on the internet, and the very knowledgeable and helpful trailer expert Juergen Eichermuller pointed out that it was a Universal Terra-Cruiser model, and quite a gem at that. Even had a “how much do you want for it?” purchase offer from someone!
We decided then to fully embrace the original vibe of the place. Hubs pulled up the living room carpet to reveal the original vinyl flooring (light brown with neopolitan ice cream-colored streaks). It had sustained some water damage in places, so he rooted around inside cabinets, under the bed, etc. to find replacement tiles, and it now looks wonderful.
Last year when I turned 50, we had a big “party in the pines” and our guests brought every piece of flamingo swag imaginable, so the exterior is now as fun and retro-licious as the interior.
Next on the agenda is to re-paint the exterior with the original streamlined design based on a 1958 magazine ad. But….while hubby appreciates the historical aspect of the pink stuff inside, he is leery (okay, understandably) about reverting the trailer to its original pink-trimmed exterior. Boo-hoo! 🙂
Above: Pink & gold swirled wallboard surrounding bathroom sink and tub.
The bath has its original pink tub, toilet and sink as well as the pink-gold marbled tub surround and sink backsplash…all lovingly scraped inch by square inch to remove the awesome Navajo White paint that someone thought was somehow (gasp) preferable.
Above: The original bath light fixture.
In the kitchen, we also have the original pink gas stove & (double) sink!
You might also be able to see the pink checked & gold starburst wallboard in the kitchen.
Above: ’50s-era glider on deck, matching rocker.
This trivet was made with broken pink tiles salvaged from the demolished ladies’ restroom at a local Senator Drive-In Movie Theater (gives you an idea of the extent of my mania, perhaps?).
Above: Built-in desk in kitchen with a close-up of “cracked ice” formica on desk top. [Pam interjects: I would not call this cracked ice; I woudl call it an abstract mosaic with glitter. I would also call it: Fantastique!]
Wow, Shelly and Greg: Underneath all that paint — a real time capsule trailer beauty. It sure sounds like restoring your trailer was “some therapy” — you are definitely a contender for this year’s The Hard Way Award, Pam says!
I’m not sure I could pick a favorite pink piece from your home — but if I had to try, it would be a tie between the laminate countertop on your built-in desk and that adorable pink vintage stove in your adorable pink and white kitchen.
“… the extent of my mania”… you say? Heck yeah, we get it!
Thanks so much for sharing your little slice of retro heaven with all of us!
midmichigan says
Very pinkedelic! Love the flamingos!
Erin in Ohio says
Great job! It looks amazing…retro and cozy and fun.
brenda says
YUMMY!!
Mike and Lindsey says
So cool that you decided to restore it rather than tear it down. I can totally relate to all that scraping in order to uncover original pinkness. Nice work
virginia says
What a great place — and fantastic renovation. LOVE it. So many wonderful features and that porch is to die for. Congrats on bringing the Love Shack into being. Terrific that you all didn’t knock it down and had the good sense and the energy and devotion needed to restore it. And it’s in Arizona — a slice of heaven on earth, your great and beautiful state. I love the way the place is decorated also. All of a piece and yet looks totally natural and unforced.
jay says
Beautiful! How fortunate to have all that retro goodness hiding under the paint and to find it in good condition. Looks like you purchased it with the contents – some interesting vintage stuff. I noticed the lamps, the TV trays. Reminds me of a lot of the places we stayed in as a kid on vacation at the Jersey shore.
ShellyinPhx says
Actually, Jay, I got to do LOTS of fun estate sale shopping to properly outfit The Love Shack. 🙂 There’s very little left from the previous owners (we even had to chain-saw the 1980s-era giant overstuffed couch to get it out!).
pam kueber says
Ahhh — even better to be able to go estate-sale shopping to fill the house!
Janet in ME says
Absolutely marvelous! Even my hubby was impressed with the restoration! Like Pam, I zeroed in on the desk formica and the pink appliances! I also think I see a drop end formica table in pink on the porch next to that fantastic glider sofa, which is a favorite of mine. This is really a great article and a nice feature for summer for those of us who hit the road. I love those retro trailers! Kudos to you, Shelly and Greg, for saving this piece of true Americana, and preserving the pink! Job very well done!
Kate says
Glad you liked this article Janet — it is such a fun story and a fun couple. Now how do I talk my hubby into getting a vintage pink trailer vacation home somewhere…..? 😉
pam kueber says
I think this makes ALL OF US want to go Terra Cruiser trailer hunting!!!
Janet in ME says
Speaking of old trailers, there is a turquoise and white house trailer which I adore in the Maine town we moved to. And we also found two of the Airstream type trailers for the pick-up beds that must be from the fifties, and even saw a DeSoto next to a garage last weekend. The area seems to be in a time warp and we see so many things that you never see any more! I hope some day to get a good look at them!
Mary Elizabeth says
Janet in ME, formerly Janet in CT, have you then made the big move?
nina462 says
I could so live in that trailer! Great job refinishing the love shack.
Chris says
Oh WOW! What a wonderful, wonderful story!!!!!!!!! I am so happy that the two of you rescued and adopted this little piece of history. Most other people would have taken the realtor’s advice and demolished it. I love, love, love what you’ve done!!!!
Jennifer says
Wowza! This is a fantastic rehab. It’s hard to believe that so much goodness was left for the uncovering. Tell hubby that around the turn of the 20th century, pink was considered the “masculine,” color and blue was considered the “feminine” color. (Can’t remember what the history of the change was.) Given how much work you’ve done to bring this gem back into the open, it seems a shame not to go all the way and do the exterior, too.
Also, thanks for the zillion pictures and explanations to go with–it really helps me appreciate the details of the trailer and the hard work you put in, as well as your justified pride of accomplishment.