This
beautiful
trailer
will
be
available
at
Leake
Auctions
in
Scottsdale,
Arizona
on
January
18th,
2020
If
Don
Draper
would
have
had
a
Travel
Trailer,
you
are
looking
at
it.
Westcraft
epitomized
Art
Deco
on
wheels,
and
‘Calypso’
is
the
brilliant
result
of
more
than
a
decade
of
meticulous
restoration,
craftsmanship
and
modernization.
As
the
largest
and
most
rare
model
Westcraft
ever
offered,
the
‘Capistrano’
is
33
feet
long,
and
features
a
Pullman
roof
with
seven
windows
on
each
side,
allowing
6’4?
of
headroom.
Only
one
other
‘Capistrano’
is
known
to
us,
in
a
completely
dilapidated
state.
Owner
Lucas
Lackner
purchased
this
example
in
neglected
condition,
and
proceeded
to
assemble
a
team
of
some
of
the
best
craftspeople
in
California
in
order
to
achieve
the
finest
restoration
in
the
world.
The
team
was
led
by
Steven
Butcher,
considered
one
of
the
premiere
vehicle
restoration
experts,
who
worked
with
Lucas
to
envision
a
resto-mod
unlike
any
other.
They
decided
to
improve
upon
the
original
design
by
integrating
the
latest
in
safety
features,
luxury,
comfort
and
connectivity.
Modern
touches
are
hidden
within
cabinets
and
behind
period
switchplates
and
custom-made
curtains
in
order
to
maintain
the
classical
Deco
feel.
Rather
than
using
LEDs,
the
light
bulbs
in
the
gorgeous
fixtures
were
replaced
with
originals,
although
finding
these
old
bulbs
in
good
condition
was
a
major
task
in
itself.
When
it
became
time
to
address
the
woodwork,
approximately
half
of
the
interior
birch
paneling
needed
to
be
replaced.
The
new
sheets
had
to
be
custom
fitted,
and
required
numerous
coats
of
tinted
varnish
and
faux
grain
to
match
the
originals.
Once
installed,
all
surfaces
were
given
four
coats
of
varnish
and
were
sanded
between
every
layer.
The
old-growth
pine
floors
were
removed,
refinished,
and
treated
to
a
unique
inlay
pattern
from
stem
to
stern.
Even
after
many
years
without
being
repainted,
only
about
50%
of
the
aluminum
body
was
oxidized.
Utilizing
the
latest
in
CNC
waterjet
technology,
body
panels
with
compound
angles
and
curves
were
created.
New
heavy-gauge
stainless
steel
surfaces
were
machined
and
individually
fitted
for
the
kitchen
counters
and
bathroom
interior,
including
a
fantastic
shower
stall.
All
new
period
faucets
and
fixtures
were
incorporated
into
the
design.
The
bathroom
panels
are
interlocking
to
prevent
any
moisture
penetration.
Waterjetted
and
polished
aluminum
was
used
for
the
shelf
trim,
speaker
grilles,
fan
&
AC
vents,
drawer
handles
and
grips.
Meticulous
details
such
as
faucet
fittings
and
the
shower
curtain
rod
were
custom
milled
from
solid
aluminum.
The
propane
tanks
were
polished
and
coated
to
prevent
oxidation.
The
undercarriage
and
chassis
were
thoroughly
cleaned,
repaired
and
reinforced
by
adding
gussets
and
plates
in
critical
areas.
The
electrical
wiring
was
completely
replaced
with
20-amp
Romex.
The
wheels
were
refinished
and
fitted
with
new
tires.
The
axles,
brakes,
and
springs
were
also
refurbished
and
updated.
A
new
water
heater
was
custom
mounted
to
meet
seismic
codes,
and
the
extremely
quiet
and
energy-efficient
Duotherm
heating/AC
system
can
be
remote
controlled.
Two
NAD
audio
systems
can
be
played
independently
in
the
living
and
bedrooms,
utilizing
individual
amps
to
drive
NHT,
Focal
and
Sunfire
speakers.
Each
room
has
a
Sony
flatscreen
with
Bose
sound
bars
using
common
connections
to
both
surround-sound
systems.
Concealed
throughout
the
trailer
are
USB
charging
sockets,
ethernet
and
coaxial
cables
and
modern
grounded
outlets.
Other
fine
amenities
include
custom
blinds
throughout,
a
completely
redone
Dixie
Permaview
stove
and
a
new
Norcold
freezer/fridge,
which
incorporates
3-way
power,
running
off
of
12v
DC,
120v
AC
or
propane.
The
fully
restored
late
1940’s
American
Standard
jade
toilet
contains
new
internals
and
can
be
used
in
either
the
travel
trailer
or
park
trailer
configurations.
Both
the
exquisite
carpentry
and
superb
leatherwork
were
meticulously
handcrafted
by
extremely
experienced
specialists.
No
expense
was
spared
nor
attention
to
detail
overlooked
in
order
to
create
a
trailer
that
is
unique
in
all
the
world.
Please
click
the
link
below
for
further
details,
and
prepare
to
be
amazed!
CALYPSO
-
Spec
sheet
trailer
company:
Westcraft
Manufacturing
Company,
Burbank
CA
model:
Westcraft
‘Capistrano’
year
built:
1950
length:
33
ft.
owner:
Lucas
Lackner
Photos
by:
Pawel
Litwinski
and
Peter
Lackner
restoration/modification
specialist:
Steven
Butcher
specialists
team:
Clay
Gossage,
Joe
Maggiore,
Robert
Rymer,
Ben
Ahadzedeh,
Noah
Hillis
(intern)
for
further
inquiries
contact
Lucas
Lackner
at
(805)
680-3759
or
Article
about
the
Westcraft:
https://blog.dupontregistry.com/for-sale/1950-westcraft-capistrano-calypso-for-sale/
GENERAL
‘RESTOMOD’
CONCEPT:
The
goal
was
NOT
to
restore
this
trailer
to
it’s
original
mint
condition,
but
to
create
an
even
more
opulent
antique
style
based
on
the
original
1930’s
Art
Deco
design,
thereby
adding
many
new
elements
to
attain
a
much
higher
level
of
luxury
and
elegance
than
the
original
had.
In
addition,
many
modern
practical
and
luxury
appliances
(listed
below)
were
installed
for
truly
comfortable
living,
but
all
of
them
are
completely
hidden
in
cabinets
and
behind
curtains,
so
that
when
all
cabinets
are
closed,
the
trailer
looks
and
feels
like
an
antique
vintage
specimen
in
absolute
mint
condition.
To
achieve
this
double
goal,
almost
all
elements
of
the
interior
had
to
be
meticulously
designed
from
scratch
and
hand
crafted
in
the
shop,
with
the
assistance
of
third
party
specialists
working
on
the
metal
elements,
such
as
water-jetting
and
bending
aluminum,
cutting
and
forming
stainless
steel,
polishing
and
chroming,
as
well
as
high-quality
painting,
especially
on
the
exterior.
CUSTOM
ELEMENTS
crafted
by
Steven
Butcher
and
his
team:
-
approximately
half
the
interior
birch
wood
paneling
replaced
-
to
match
the
new
wood
with
the
original
surfaces,
it
had
to
be
‘aged’
by
tinted
varnish
and
faux
grain
techniques
with
5
coats
of
color
and
aging
-
then
new
and
old
surfaces
were
given
at
least
4
coats
of
varnish,
with
sanding
and
corrections
between
each
varnish
phase.
-
all
walls
newly
insulated
and
struts
repaired
or
replaced
as
needed
-
framing
and
doors
in
Douglas
fir
-
floor:
original
old-growth
pine
boards
refurbished,
reconfigured
with
inlay
patterns
throughout
trailer
-
approx.
50%
exterior
aluminum
surfaces
replaced
due
to
damage
-
all
cabinetry
newly
designed
and
constructed
-
including
the
TV
cabinets,
bathroom
medicine
cabinet
with
triple
swivel
gimbaled
mirror
mechanism
-
all
metal
trim
for
mirrors,
shelves,
etc
-
all
grill
elements
for
loudspeakers,
heater/AC
vents,
fans,
etc.
-
all
drawer
handles
and
interior
door
handles,
pulls
and
grips
-
combined
living
room
foldable
table
and
TV
cabinet
-
original
bar
area
enhanced,
including
glass
shelf
interior
lighting
-
all
upper
clear
story
windows
and
frames
-
most
light
switch
and
outlet
plates
-
all
leather
work,
including
the
couch
and
chair
cushions
and
coverings,
by
Ben
Ahadzedeh
-
convertible
sofa/bed
in
living
room
made
from
scratch
due
to
custom
size
requirement
-
interior
swinging
door
between
bedroom
and
hall
added
-
pocket
doors
added
to
bathroom
and
closets,
with
custom
made
slider
handles
-
all
new
window
blinds
-
all
operable
window
closure
systems
newly
built
or
refurbished,
with
additional
weather
sealing.
-
all
plumbing
and
electrical
wiring
renewed
(using
20Amp
Romex),
with
additional
circuits
and
internet/cable
capability
-
bathroom
lined
in
stainless
steel
with
interlocking
metal
surfaces
and
no
screws
(to
optimize
moisture
protection)
and
enlarged
to
include
shower
and
custom
made
shower
curtain
rod
-
full
stainless
steel
kitchen
surfaces
and
sink
fittings
-
storage
compartments
under
bed,
including
hidden
areas
beneath
the
King
mattress
-
polished
aluminum
propane
tanks
and
valve
system
added
-
trunk
remodeled,
lined
with
German
carpeting
-
all
running
lights
replaced
with
NOS
original
period
lighting
-
undercarriage
-
aluminum
plates
added
as
needed,
all
wiring
and
plumbing
shored
up,
in
conduit,
chassis
and
plates
painted
with
rustproof
protector.
-
wheels:
axles,
bearings
repacked,
drum
brakes
checked,
rims
refurbished,
new
tires
with
period
look
-
step
units
at
both
entrances
genuine
period
railway
train
steps,
refurbished
and
painted
to
match
trailer
APPLIANCES
-
visible
and
concealed:
visible:
-
kitchen
stove
-
refurbished
Dixie
Permaview
-
fridge-
new
Norcold
fridge
/freezer
with
ice
maker;
custom-made
Art
Deco
period
front
facade
doors,
hinges
and
handles
matching
mint
green
period
stove;
3-way
power
option:
110Volt,
12
Volt,
propane
-
period
American
Standard
toilet,
late
1940’s
refurbished,
with
modern
flushing
mechanisms;
can
be
installed
either
in
travel
trailer
or
park
trailer
configuration
-
stainless
steel
kitchen
sink
with
Chicago
faucets
and
custom
made
Art
Deco
trim
-
original
Art-Deco
NOS
(New
Old
Stock)
lighting
-thermometer/barometer
-
original
period
-period
lit
door
bell
concealed:
-
water
heater,
mounted
according
to
earthquake
hazard
regulations
-
2
separate
NAD
stereo
systems
-
for
bedroom
and
living
room,
with
NHT
speakers
and
Sunfire
subwoofers,
Focal
speakers
-
2
Sony
flat
screen
TV
systems
for
bedroom
and
living
room,
each
with
Sony
Blue
Ray
DVR,
with
several
sound
bars:
either
via
dedicated
Bose
sound
bar
beneath
each
screen
or
connection
to
surround-sound
stereo
system
in
each
room
-
Duotherm
forced-air
heater/AC
with
custom-made
Deco
intake
and
output
duct
grills,
remote
control
operation
-
USB
charging
sockets
(concealed)
in
bedroom
and
living
room
-
cable
and
internet
wiring
throughout
-
water
filtration
system
beneath
kitchen
sink
unit
There
are
innumerable
other
details
and
improvements
incorporated
into
this
restoration.
Photos
of
the
restoration
and
metamorphosis
of
‘Calypso’
are
available.
CALYPSO:
A
Ten-Year
Restoration
Journey:
Owner
Lucas
Lackner’s
Labor
of
Love
GENESIS:
In
2008,
I
bought
a
banged-up
and
somewhat
decrepit
33-foot-long
1950
Westcraft
‘Capistrano’
park
trailer
from
a
friend,
with
the
intention
of
doing
a
moderately
thorough
restoration.
This
particular
model
was
the
longest
and
most
rare
of
the
line,
fabricated
in
Burbank,
California
in
the
post-WWII
era
by
the
Westcraft
Manufacturing
Company,
known
after
the
war
for
thick
aluminum
framing,
ribs
and
skin,
copious
amounts
of
rivets,
and
heavily-chromed
architectural
elements.
These
materials
had
been
considered
strategic
materials
during
the
war,
but
then
became
available
in
abundance
for
the
construction
of
trailers
and
other
vehicles.
The
George
T.
Hall
Company
was
already
an
established
pioneer
in
the
manufacturing
of
trailers
when
it
introduced
the
Westcraft
brand
in
1932.
During
WWII,
the
company
participated
in
defense
programs,
but
soon
afterwards
resumed
trailer
fabrication
for
civilians,
utilizing
heavy-gauge
aluminum
bodies
over
all-metal
frames.
From
1946
until
the
closing
of
the
factory
in
1955,
Westcraft
trailers
were
produced
in
Los
Angeles,
then
Burbank,
with
a
separate
line
of
less
expensive
‘Westwood’
models
made
between
1946
and
1948.
The
Westcraft
line,
named
after
well-known
romantic
California
destinations,
included
the
Montecito,
Coronado,
Shasta,
Sequoia,
Yosemite
and
Capistrano.
Only
the
Capistrano
featured
a
clerestory
roof,
known
as
a
Pullman,
with
seven
windows
on
each
side
up
top,
a
design
which
allowed
for
six-feet,
four-inches
of
interior
headroom.
The
‘bread-loaf’,
smooth-skinned
exterior
shell
was
painted
in
several
striking
colors
of
enamel,
enhancing
its
exclusivity
and
Art
Deco
lines
and
appeal.
It
was
this
extremely
rare,
elegant
and
forlorn
creature
that
won
my
heart.
RESTORATION:
The
Capistrano
was
originally
to
be
used
as
a
guest
house
and
man-cave
on
my
Montecito,
California
estate,
parked
next
to
my
infinity
pool,
overlooking
Santa
Barbara,
the
coast
from
Gaviota
to
Point
Mugu,
the
mountains
and
the
sea
framed
by
the
Channel
Islands
against
the
distant
sky.
I
contracted
with
Steven
Butcher,
a
well-known
restorer
of
classic
trailers
and
vehicles,
to
do
the
work.
He
had
started
early
in
life
as
a
spontaneous
fabricator
of
contraptions
of
all
descriptions,
including
his
first
mini-bike.
He
immersed
himself
in
wood
and
metal
shop
in
high
school,
and
accomplished
his
first
full
automotive
restoration
at
the
age
of
18.
By
the
late
1970’s,
he
was
building
and
track-racing
hot
rods,
and
got
his
first
exposure
to
the
film
industry.
By
the
’80’s,
he
was
doing
paint
and
mechanical
work
on
‘picture
cars’,
and
has
worked
for
the
studios
ever
since.
He
is
considered
an
expert
resource
on
historical
restorations
and
period
authenticity.
He
and
his
partners
run
several
amazing
facilities
used
for
fabrication,
storage
and
location
settings.
His
prolific
movie
work
can
be
found
on
IMDB,
and
he
has
been
the
subject
of
numerous
documentaries
and
articles
in
books
and
industry
periodicals.
Known
for
his
modesty
and
discretion,
Steven’s
vehicles
do
not
appear
on
any
website,
and
he
maintains
a
reputation
as
the
go-to
guy
for
the
highest-end
jobs.
He
and
his
partners,
Johnny
Agnew,
a
collector
and
location
provider,
and
Ed
Lum,
who
is
a
brilliant
artist,
also
maintain
a
huge
personal
collection
of
trailers,
vehicles,
and
memorabilia
which
are
often
used
in
period
motion
picture
productions.
They
are
located
in
Fillmore
and
Altadena,
California.
We
employed
numerous
master
craftsmen
throughout
Southern
California
to
complete
individual
aspects
of
the
project,
including
the
leatherwork,
metalwork,
painting
and
cabinetry.
Steven
considers
this
nearly
11-year-long
restoration
on
my
Westcraft
Capistrano,
‘Calypso’,
to
be
his
most
detailed,
extensive
and
beautiful
masterpiece
to
date.
MODERNIZATION:
Steven
and
I
drew
up
plans
for
an
upgraded
and
modernized
cabin
that
would
suit
my
needs,
yet
maintain
the
amazing
Art
Deco
design
of
her
sophisticated
interior
and
shell:
a
master
bedroom,
full
kitchen,
a
bar/lounge,
a
living
room
with
custom-made
leather
convertible
sofa/bed
and
chairs,
a
magnificent
period
bathroom
with
jade-green
toilet,
gimbaled
vanity
and
heavy
stainless
steel
shower
enclosure.
This
‘resto-mod’
includes
all
of
the
high-end
amenities
as
well:
two
superb
sound
systems,
two
hidden
flat-screen
televisions,
wonderful
Deco
lighting
on
dimmers,
custom-fabricated
grills,
modern
appliances,
incredible
faucets
and
fixtures,
all-new
blinds,
a
honey-colored
wooden
floor
to
match
the
cognac
woodwork,
contemporary
water-heating,
air-conditioning
and
heating
systems,
heavy-gauge
stainless
steel
counters
and
sinks,
and
luxurious
deep
burgundy
leatherwork
throughout,
including
numerous
hand-built
furnishings.
All
of
the
metalwork
has
been
custom-milled
and
fully
re-chromed
or
highly
polished.
All
of
the
wooden
features
have
received
numerous
layers
of
marine
varnish.
The
exterior
enamel
paint
required
multiple
coats.
The
work
includes
rewiring
everything
to
the
latest
codes,
replacing
all
plumbing,
redoing
the
closets
and
all
hidden
interior
spaces,
creating
a
pocket
door
for
the
bathroom
and
another
swing-away
door
to
separate
the
master
bedroom
from
the
living
room
for
complete
privacy.
The
fold-up
dining
table,
which
vanishes
into
a
leather-lined
cabinet
that
also
conceals
one
of
the
flat
screens,
is
in
itself
a
design
of
technical
genius.
We
eventually
realized
the
scope,
complexity,
cost
and
duration
of
the
work
we
had
undertaken,
and
resigned
ourselves
to
the
necessity
of
taking
our
time
on
it.
This
apex
of
mid-century
design
deserved
to
be
treated
to
the
highest-end
restoration
on
the
planet.
In
due
time,
all
of
these
aspects
were
realized.
In
addition,
the
exterior
was
completely
reworked
and
painted
in
three
gorgeous
enamel
colors
ranging
from
Midnight
Blue
to
Sterling
Silver
to
highlight
the
sumptuous
design,
a
mix
of
‘land
yacht’
and
private
Deco
train
carriage.
Approximately
half
of
the
aluminum
panels
were
replaced;
the
expansive
trunk
was
entirely
redone
and
carpeted;
all
chrome
and
polished
surfaces
and
handles
were
refinished;
the
chassis,
axles
and
wheels
were
reworked
or
replaced;
the
skirts
were
matched
to
the
exterior
paint;
the
screen
doors
were
redone;
the
solid
doors
were
restored
and
rehung;
all
new
gaskets
were
installed
throughout;
extensive
work
was
done
to
the
under-carriage.
The
grillwork
was
either
restored
or
custom-milled
and
fabricated.
On
the
tongue,
we
placed
polished-aluminum
propane
tanks
with
period
fittings.
To
complete
the
overall
look,
we
registered
the
trailer
with
a
YOM
(Year
Of
Manufacture)
1950
yellow
California
license
plate
in
a
period
frame.
‘CALYPSO’:
Because
of
her
yacht-like
qualities,
I
felt
that
this
sensuous
vessel
should
have
her
own
name.
I
have
always
loved
Homer’s
classical
Greek
myth
of
Ulysses
getting
sidetracked
from
his
odyssey
by
the
goddess
‘Calypso’,
who
seduced
him
for
seven
years
on
her
remote
Mediterranean
isle.
As
a
child,
I
was
also
fascinated
by
Captain
Jacques
Cousteau’s
research
vessel,
‘Calypso’,
which
had
begun
life
as
a
British
minesweeper,
but
which
was
repurposed
by
him
after
WWII
as
a
global
ambassador
for
science.
She
met
a
horrible
end
in
Singapore
harbor
in
1996,
having
been
struck
and
sunk
by
a
barge.
Re-floated
and
moved
to
a
port
in
Turkey,
she
was
hoisted
onto
a
dock
and
left
to
rot
for
many
years
after
Cousteau’s
death.
Finally,
in
2016,
devoted
philanthropists
gathered
the
resources
necessary
to
restore
the
ship
to
her
former
glory.
The
work,
being
done
in
France,
was
well-advanced
when
a
fire
destroyed
her
in
2017.
Yet
once
again
admirers
and
scientists
recognized
the
unique
historical
importance
of
this
fabled
craft
and
rose
to
the
occasion.
The
restoration
process
is
now
again
underway.
I
bring
that
story
up
only
because,
in
my
case,
my
Westcraft,
‘Calypso’,
was
well
into
her
renovation
in
Fillmore,
California,
when
the
Tea
Fire
burned
my
Montecito
house
to
the
ground,
along
with
more
than
200
other
beautiful
homes.
I
have
been
forced
to
move
on,
but
the
Phoenix
of
Fillmore
has
survived
and
flourished,
after
more
than
a
decade
of
loving
work,
and
with
the
enormous
support
and
full
collaboration
of
my
brother,
Peter
Lackner.
She
is
now
the
finest
such
trailer
in
the
world,
and
is,
in
many
opinions,
Steven
Butcher’s
most
beautiful
restoration.
The
craftsmen
who
originally
labored
to
design
and
fabricate
these
incredible
artworks
would
be
incredulous
to
see
this
gorgeous,
museum-quality
example
of
Art
Deco
aesthetics,
functionality
and
luxury
in
a
condition
far
better
than
new,
69
years
after
it
rolled
off
of
the
production
line.
It
is
truly
one-of-a-kind.
This
beautiful
trailer
will
be
available
at
Leake
Auctions
in
Scottsdale,
Arizona
on
January
18th,
2020