It’s finally happened.
We are officially vintage trailer owners!!!!
Against the better judgment of both my father and father-in-law (I didn’t ask because I knew what they would think!)
Oh and my mom’s actual words after she saw it… “I wouldn’t pay 5 Cents for that!”
I told her I’m going to get her on video saying that, and then make her eat her words when she sees how AMAZING it’s going to look! (Love you, mom)
We’ve been looking for a while now, and it’s always been a distant, romantic dream of mine. The hubs started looking again recently on craigslist (thinking he’d score major points with the ultimate Christmas gift!). He spotted our baby, made contact with the owner and we had her delivered 2 days later.
Now, before you look at the lovely pictures of our new baby, can you see where I’m coming from? If you haven’t fallen in love with the idea of a vintage trailer overhaul yet, check out these beauties! Sources, clockwise from left top: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Now…. check her out!
I know, right?
Potential at least… right?
Let’s be honest. She’s in bad shape.
Her previous owners used her for hunting deep in the woods of the U.P. Let’s just say, you can tell.
She is a 1956 Century. Made in Detroit by the Federal Trailer Company. Jay loves the fact that it was made in Detroit and has the original plates still in tact.
The water damage is obvious in several areas. We went into this project with our eyes wide open. I knew it would entail a good deal of gutting the place and replacing walls and flooring. She has lots of holes and cracks on the outside that need to be filled. Oh yea, and that’s a dead mouse.
The selling factors for us were: it sleeps 6 and weighs between 1200 and 1500 pounds. Making it one of the only trailers we’ve found in a while that our van should (fingers crossed) be able to pull with ease. And she was in our price range ($1,700), making her way more affordable than anything new on the market.
Follow along for updates! There is lots to do and the days are getting real cold here in Michigan. My plan is to gut her out, find the extent of the damage and remove damaged wood. I need to either seal her up from the outside or secure a better storage facility for the Winter. Hoping to have a couple more work days left before it snows, stay tuned!!!
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Steve
Hi, nice to see an old Century ! I used to build and install the roofs and plumbing and bathrooms in them when they were built in Webberville, mi. From 1975 to 1977. Have fun restoring her. Steve
Davedonaldson
Is there a way of knowing what year my model 24 was built serial no 1609. Dave 2489353947
Jesse & Tiffany
I loved finding your story, as our family of 5 embark on this adventure with a 71 Sprite that we purchased this week. I hope to get some good tips as I dive deeper in. I have searched to find any other like her out on the internets and cannot find even a picture that matches.
Jesse Joyner
I don’t know why but this just popped up in my email in late November of 23! We were going to do renovations on the 71 Sprite and it is partially torn apart and under cover at the house. We bought a 22 model Coleman 17B so we can go camping now. We have researched and found (including yours) 4 71 Sprite Muskateers. As far as I can tell they were only made in the States for 2 years and the company dissolved their American built operations the 3rd year due to cost and probably the gas crisis that was looming at the time. There was a lot going on in America that would have made sales slump.
Anyway if you see this I hope you have had lots of fun adventures in your Sprite and would love to connect and hear about them.
Kwami
Loved the story! I wanted to reach out to Mrs. Lemp to see if she would be interested in purchasing a number of old RV trailers & one mobile RV we have on our campground property for refurbishing? Look forward to hearing from you!
Heather
Hi there. Love the story. We just bought a century. Having hard time with any info. Doesn’t need much I’m looking for the emblem. Any thoughts how and where to find ?
Steve Eastman
Hi, I’m Steve. I used to build Cetury trailers from 1975 to 1977 . Not sure if I can help. I have a 1972 Century I’m restoring.
Paul Danielson
Hi Steve, I am a new owner of a 1960 Century Model 22. It is restored, with a full old school exterior and a more functional interior for the 21st century. I am looking to find more info on Century but, am I would guess that you already know, there is not much out there. Is there a source for parts? I am looking for a louver window and a turn knob for one of the tiny, high up windows. I am in northern Michigan.