Is that my Grandpa with Kim?
All those days spent polishing the trailer, putting new air shocks on the car, hours spent scrounging thrift stores for the perfect get up are over, and another great May weekend with the TCT is nothing but a memory.
Kim and I had, again, another great weekend thanks to the hard work of Forrest and Jeri Bone, their son Terry and his wife Michelle, who again hosted what has to be the best vintage trailer gathering in the country.
We rolled in Thursday evening about 5:30, a little late for the chili cook off, but not too late to visit and have a cocktail with some of our old friends already there. We got the trailer up on the pad without sinking into the mud, unlike our friends Kirk and Beth a couple of spots down, who had to get a 4WD to pull their car out and park the trailer.
Friday we spent catching up with friends, and making new ones. There were many new people there this year, and the variety of campers there was amazing. Everybody has a story to tell about their trailer, and I really enjoyed meeting some of the new people, and hearing their tales. Here are a few…
Is that DeNiro with Marilyn?
Baron and Teri Leblanc brought the “Starlight Lounge”, a 1955 Pontiac Chieftan motor home. This thing was found on Craig’s List rotting away in a field with no engine and trans, but that didn’t stop them, no sir. They could see the late 50’s cool through the dirt and decay. Baron had a 302 Ford and automatic setting idle, and dropped (GASP!) into the old Pontiac’s engine bay. Then, they spruced up the dilapidated interior ’60’s lounge lizard style, and went camping! Cuba Libre, anyone?
Their first TCT trip was last September’s fall rally, but it won’t be their last.
John and Debbie Dingman had planned on bringing their early 60’s Fleetwing to this springs meet after having a great time at last years fall rally, but an arsonist changed their plans. The trailer was torched in their driveway, and was a total loss along with their truck. John, a pastor, found that their insurance policy only covered items owned by the church (they live in their church’s parsonage), and the trailer turned out not to be insured.It’s said that when one door is closed, another is opened, and this turned out to be the case. They found their Royal Mansion on Craig’s List just three weeks ago, made the deal, and are now happy campers in this spectacular original trailer. Their truck, a church owned vehicle, was covered, John and Debbie now have a new insurance agent, along with a new trailer!
Mike Fontana was there with a stunning ’48 Ford coupe, and a ’65 Bee Line. He bought the trailer from a friend, whose new wife refused travel in the X-wifes camper, so Mike made an offer and the Bee Line found an appreciative new owner. He lives just down the road in Wixom, and vows that by this fall the coupe (powered by it’s original, but hopped up, Flattie) will be equipped with a hitch to tow the Bee Line.
Steve and Mellisa Reed bought a 1960 Shasta for a hundred dollars, and thought it was a pretty good deal. The next day, he bought 5 scratch off lottery tickets, and one of them was a hundred-dollar winner, so they figure the trailer cost 5 bucks. Jackpot!
Chris and Jan O’dell are Milford residents who’ve been coming to the open houses for several years. This year, they brought their own trailer, a ’66 Bee Line “Wasp”, and towed it with their cherry ’63 Impala. They also have a ’57 Chevy 2 door post sedan they will probably be sporting a hitch as well!
Glenn and Linda Parrache came all the way from southern PA with their beautiful ’57 Silver Streak Jet. Glenn incorporated some ’55 Pontiac Silver Streak trim in the interior, along with other “Jet Age” styling cues, to set the beautiful trailer off. They hope to be back as well.
Friday night, I was convinced (after a couple of glasses of wine) to serve as the auctioneer for the TCT trailer auction. The happy (?) new owner was a little discouraged as he thought I was ignoring his bids, but really, Bob Merideth kept immediately out bidding him! Congrats to Brian Lossing for sticking with it, ignoring my admittedly limited auctioneering skills and getting the winning bid on the little canned ham.After the auction, “McCool and the Gang”, made their first, and hopefully LAST, TCT appearance. There is a reason guys don’t usually stand in front of a band and sing, and this is it. I’d be embarrassed, but, really, Mike Greene made me do it…
Two classy dames ready for a night on the town.
Saturday was the open house, and official “show”. Kim had fun giving tours of the trailer in her late ’40’s garb. She said I looked like my Grandpa, but I don’t think he had a goatee. Lot’s of people dressed in period clothing, from the ’30’s to the 70’s. We had a ball, and everybody seemed to enjoy it!
Kids, don't try this at home.
Under the Big Top on Saturday night, Alexander Kensington and that Dangerous Beauty, Charon Henning, entertained with their sideshow act. Fire eating, sword swallowing and contortion, they make it look like childs play, but don’t try it at home!
In addition, they’re TCT members and had 66 Airstream Safari at the show. It was great to see them peform again for us.
We’d packed away the awning and lawn chairs before the rain on Saturday night, so we didn’t have wet gear to stow, and got a pretty early start what turned out to be a beautiful Sunday morning. It’s always sad to leave, but Vicksburg, the Gilmore Red Barns Show, Port Crescent, and the Fall Rally back in Milford are right around the corner.
See you there!
So long for now!
Cool McCool's Garage 
Hello Brian
I sure enjoy your newsletters there always fun and colorful, oh I wanted to mention one
thing I read Chris and Jan O’dell the Milford residents you wrote they also have a ’57
Biscayne I think you must of meant a ’58.
Keep up the good work.
best regards
gene newton
Brian:
Cool site! Cool story! You are correct, sir.. ’63 Impala and ’57 210.
Chris and Jan Fodell