1956 Flying Cloud – Restoration
We acquired our latest restoration and recovery project in March of 2001, a 1956 California made 22 foot Flying Cloud, serial # 8022. It had been purchased new in Los Banos, California at Toscano RV, and was used regularly over the the next 8 years by its owner from Palo Alto, less frequently the next 10 as the owners aged, and in the Late 1970s it was bought by the 2nd owner who put in on a Duck (hunting) Club, where it sat for the next 25 years. It was in very poor, but original condition – very typical of the 1-2 owner trailers found moldering in pastures and backyards everywhere. These pages will document the restoration.
| Exterior "Before Tour" | Interior "Before Tour" |
| Planned Interior Layout | Restoration Progress |
Exterior “Before Tour”
Here it is at the Duck Club. The original antenna is deployed here.
Looks forlorn, doesn’t it. The skin is relatively dent-free.
The evaporative cooler is perched on top.
Suicide door with the “door within a door” screen vent.
Notice the 1957-’58 California wheel-well cutouts. It is hard to see, but the whole floor and belly pan is shot under the bathroom.
Brought it home using temporary lights. None of the trailer lighting works.
The underside (belly skin) is full of holes and tears.
The hitch and tongue. The original Stromberg Hydraulic brake reservoir is in the middle. The Atwood tongue jack is busted.
Tanks are pre-OPD.
Bargmann #9 Taillights (#6 Lens). These will be be restored.
This is the only working window. This style of window is the Hehr “standard”, and was used from about 1952 to 1957. The screens are all galvanized screening.
Next: Interior “Before Tour”