One of the best things about this Travco is the paperwork. The original owner, Leslie Smith—a perfect 1966 name if ever there was one, did an amazing job of storing and organizing everything. I’ve got every manual to every single item on the bus. They really are a window into a different time.
Here is the original sales receipt. You can see the original sales price of $13,800—converted via an inflation calculator that works out to $99,000 today. Ali’s parents told us they paid $15,000 for their first house two years later. This was no small purchase back in the day.
The sales catalog. Look at how much fun they’re having. Who wouldn’t want to own a Travco? It’s the most successful vehicle of it’s kind in the world.
That’s right, gas powered lamps. Modern.
Old school advertising at its best—employing the use of a scientist to explain the complexities of dish washing. We are, after all, in a war against dirty dishes.
The original owner actually installed radar detectors in an RV.
Side boob and bee hive—I’ll take one of those shower heads please.
Original manual in perfect condition.
Leslie, Eileen, and Merle doing business in 1979. Please just send that to a truck terminal in Cedar Rapids and I’ll pick it up.
Maybe I’m more enamored of the old-schoolness of it all than I should be. I mean, this crap is all OLD, and we have newer and better stuff now. Right? Everything is bigger and better these days. That’s what we all tell ourselves every time we replace something that is still perfectly good. Anyway, interior pics coming soon.
14 Comments on “Paperwork”
What do you suppose the equity of $9545 included? If that was a trade-in it must have been a helluva expensive what-ever in 1966!
They probably traded in a big old boat that was too much trouble and not how they wanted to travel anymore.
Sales Tax $269.12 = 2% back in the good ole days 🙂
I love the old gas lights. The light is beautiful and soft and they keep the chill out of the air on a cool morning or evening.
I love the light and ventilation and would keep the gas lamps as well. Does it come with a “drink lady”?
Don’t know what your restoration plans are but having worked on lots of old Detroit iron for many years, I would suggest the following unless you have up to date maintenance records:
1. Replace any/all rubber hosing, especially brake & power steering hoses. We had two engine fires from split power steering hoses.
2. Open up & clean out the carburetor float bowl.
3. Replace the coolant
4. Change the transmission oil, especially if it is an automatic
5. Have a thorough brake system re-build done by a good, well known shop.
6. Drain the fuel tank, if possible. After sitting there probably water in it.
7. And the list goes on.
Or, you can just get in it and go, and fix whatever breaks alongside the road, better than a lee shore. 🙂
Paul Thomas
Wondering if that old 318 is ethanol compatible? In stock form it would not be. Maybe it’s not an issue once you get south of the border.
OMG, I just had a flash back to my youth. My parents dreamed of the day they could have one of these, but settled on a tow behind until us kids were grown and gone. This is going to be a fun adventure.
Hi Guys! Neat ride! We’ve generally found that when buying used boats, cars, etc. that the ones that have original paperwork, are kept in a neat garage, etc. indicate that the owners were likely to have taken care of the vehicle and they have turned out to be great deals. I know that you’ll make the new Bumfuzzle into another great home for the four Bums!
Lorraine and Mike
Hey Pat and Ali (and the little Mexican Bums), why not try to get to Quartzsite, AZ in January? It’ll be nice and warm there (compared to the upper midwest, anyway), it’s on the way to Mexico, and there won’t be anything a person could want for an RV that isn’t available there during the Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show (January 18-26, 2014).
What’s more, you can boondock for nothing (for two weeks) or next-to-nothing ($40 for 2 weeks or $180 for up to 7 months from September 15th to April 15th) in the LTVAs (long term visitors areas). The LTVAs include dumping for household trash and grey water and black water tanks, as well as potable water fill-ups. Those aren’t available in the free boondocking areas.
Or, of course, you can stay in a full-service RV park for around, say, $400/month + metered electric power, but it would be hard to find available space in one at this late date. The boondocking areas, though, never really fill up . . . the desert goes on virtually forever and the BLM seems to own almost all of it.
I know humdreds of thousands of RVers older than dirt isn’t your scene, exactly, but Quartzsite would give you a decently warm place to do whatever you want or need to do to the Travco, and if there’s anything you want to get for it, you will certainly have many options available in Q.
TJ
Love it! When we bought our first cruising boat (1990 PDQ36 catamaran) it had the same paperwork file. Letters written on typewriters back and forth hand written notes, it was great fun to pour through.
I looked up the address shown in Marion, IA on 24th St hoping I might see the Travco in the driveway. Were the original owners still living there when you bought it? I recently bought a 1967 sailboat from the original owner too but it didn’t come much in the way of paperwork. It looks to me like they paid $10,545 after negotiations. Considering they had it for 47 years and got $9000 for it when they sold it to you, that some pretty cheap vacations – a mere $32 per year plus maintenance. If only we could do the same with a new vehicle today!
No, we’re the 4th owners. The original owner appears to have owned it for a good twenty-five years or so. They sold it to someone else nearby who owned it until two years ago. This couple we bought it from saw it in the guys driveway and decided they must have it. They bought it, but got busy with life and never used it. They fixed the brakes and sold it to us. Also, I think the paperwork shows the purchase price of $13,800. The $10,545 appears to be the $1,000 deposit, and a $9,545 trade-in allowance. At least that’s how I read it.
Fyi Pat, I googled “Les and Eileen Smith, Marion, IA” and there is still an Eileen Smith living at the same address on 24th St. If you contact her she may have more info, maybe even some pics of the motorhome new or during their ownership. You could travel to the same places and take pictures 40 years apart. Could be cool.