There's a Cabin Car (for sale...) on E bay

[48Rob]

Hi all,

If you've been paying attention, you probably already know about the cabin car, if not, don't feel bad...it was really well hidden, though it has had over 700 views.

After trying all week, I finally connected with the seller.

He didn't really know what he had...though he had several e mails from folks suggesting it was a cabin car.
He's been busy, and is just now responding to the mail.

Anyway, it is indeed a cabin car, BUT, it has been modified

Though not as pristine as one would like, since there really aren't too many to choose from, this one qualifies as a once in a lifetime opportunity...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4596879783&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT






Rob

[Green Hornet]

It has THE look. For sure. I asked to see some more pics of the exterior on the listing. $3500 to start is an awful lot of scratch for sight un-seen.

[48Rob]

GH,

The price is pretty steep for what it is... or isn't.

$3500 wouldn't be bad for an unmloested original, but it appears much of the original interior is gone, as well as a few other parts and pieces...sure is hard to tell from such small dark photos.

But in the end, it is a cabin car, and there just aren't too many out there to choose from.

Last year, before I started mine, I would have been pretty interested, but then, as now, I'd be on the fence with regard to buy it or pass.

It would need a full restoration either way, but with all the changes, there may well be precious little "original" left in the end?

Rob

[grant whipp]

Rob!

How did you determine that that trailer is a bona fide, honest-to-gawd CabinCar? Mfg. ID plate, sales literature match-up, advertising match-up, or what?

While it IS easy to see SOME similarities to a real CabinCar, it's not like any I've ever seen - not even the two factory aluminum-clad versions I know about. While I'll be the first to admit that I don't know EVERYTHING about teardrops ... ;-} ;-} ... I've yet to see anything that shows me, definitively, that that trailer is a CabinCar.

If you've got the evidence, please share it, or the source, or ... something!
Please ... ?

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, All! In the meantime ...

CHEERS!

Grant

[48Rob]

Grant,

Perhaps I was too generous with my use of the word "indeed"...

I do not have definitive proof that I would bet my life on.

I spoke to the owner at length, and determined/deduced from that information that the trailer had undergone a major rebuild at some point in its life.
If that is the case, then it has been reskinned, possibly re-roofed, and the inside all but gutted.

My conclusion was based mostly on my research.
I've spent countless hours studying photos and brochures to come up with the design basis for my version of the Cabin car.

I really believe it is a Cabin Car, but I don't know everything there is to know either.

I sent the owner a copy of one of my brochures, and he too felt that it was a match, with exception to the remodeling.

I'd love to verify one way or the other, but the fellow is on the other side of the country...too far to go out of curiosity.
If anyone is close, a couple pictures of the underside would likely be all that is needed, though a series of detail photos would be great too!

I did advise him that you were one of the leading "teardrop" experts, and passed on your Contact info as he seemed interested in learning more.

It is possible that someone like me, years ago, chose to replicate the Fleet design?
A "close, but no cigar" deal.

Thanks for pointing out my error.

Merry Christmas!

Rob

[bledsoe3]

Rob, If someone on the board was really interested, I could drive out to take a look. The listing has expired, but no one bid on it. So it might still be available.

[48Rob]

Bledsoe,

Thanks for your interest.

I am interested in pictures/information in general.

Since beginning my quest, I've learned much about Cabin Cars, but still know little.
Rather like a needle in a haystack...
With so few examples remaining, any leads are worth exploring.

Grant mentioned recently that he or someone he is associated with is working on a book that may contain info on the Cabin Car trailer.
The proof one way or another would be great info to include...

If you wanted to take the time to shoot some pictures, that would be fantastic, several of us (at least) would be very grateful!



Rob

[Mukilteo]

We had on when I was younger, much younger. If I remember correctly the roof was aluminum.

[doug hodder]

Eric....wonderful pics of a vintage Cabin Car with the family!!!! It appears that it was towed by a Studebaker station wagon to boot!!!. Those pics really should be put in the vintage pics thread. Well, a quick check finds that you already did....good job and thanks for sharing those! Doug

[Outlaw]

Looks like the auction has been pulled

[Alan Wood]

Looks like the auction has been pulled

It's just that someone resurected a 3 year old thread.

[Outlaw]

Looks like the auction has been pulled

It's just that someone resurected a 3 year old thread.

Whoops, did I mention it was almost 3am