48Rob wrote:GP,
I came across several photos of vintage trailers being built (in the collection of the Library of Congress).
They are currently down for maintenance, but here is one that shows the pre formed corners they used in the material scarce war years;
<img src="http://images.yuku.com/image/pjpeg/9ff263240959c5e946d3aa0c1ff356a59550e144.jpg">
It appears to be some sort of paper or fiber material made on a form.
Rob
Rob,
Thanks for the photograph and the tip. The site seems to be back up now:
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/. I found the pictures under "Western Trailer Company".
I guess, due to the war, steel was in short supply. In addition to the pre-formed paper corners, the site showed fender wells being made that way too. It is almost like paper-mache (not sure of the spelling) molded over a form. On picture showed the reel of paper being "mushed" through the glue. Other things I found interesting were that masonite was applied over 1/8" fir plywood as the exterior. Also, batting was used under the canvas roofs.
It is a very interesting site. Thank you for the reference.
Tom