We had been searching for quite some time for a vintage camper to add to our collection. After restoring two smaller trailers, we knew we wanted something with a bit more room—ideally a camper with a true living area and a full bath, features our earlier projects didn’t offer.
We found this 1954 Westwood Holiday just across town and decided to take a look. It had been sitting for years, though we didn’t yet know how many. The owner shared that he had once lived in it during vacations in Florida, but after his wife became ill, he brought it back to Tennessee. It sat there for more than 20 years. By the time we saw it, the trailer was so full of stored items that we couldn’t even get inside. The body itself was fairly sound, aside from some damage from a lawnmower backing into it, but it was clear the trailer needed a complete restoration. I wasn’t even sure I was up to the task—and apparently, neither was anyone else.
Still, we couldn’t stop thinking about it.
A year later, we returned and spoke with the owner again. His wife had since passed away, and he was ready to let the trailer go. This time, we were ready too. When I asked how much he wanted for it, he went inside and returned with the title in an envelope. He handed it to me and said, “If you think you can fix it up and restore it, it’s yours.” Free. I was completely shocked.
After a few hours of getting it road-ready, we hauled it home and began the work. The restoration has taken countless hours, along with plenty of sweat and a few tears. We’re not quite finished yet, especially when it comes to the exterior. The original stripe has been removed, and we’re leaning toward replacing it to maintain the trailer’s originality.
In all our travels, we’ve never seen another Westwood Holiday in person—only one online. That makes this one feel even more special. We’re incredibly proud to own this rare 1954 Westwood Holiday and often find ourselves wondering how many states and campgrounds it visited over the years. We truly feel blessed to be its caretakers.
— Marsha Torbett
