Feel free to email me. ejokmo@verizon.net

Is there anything in particular that Barth fans would want? I just might have it.

Funny. Grandpa was just Grandpa to me......always busy. Liked to fish. Still listened to Johnny Cash on an 8 track at his house.... Ate at the same little restaurant every day. Drove a pickup truck. Simple guy.
Liked Las Vegas vacations alot though. Grandma swore she made enough on the slots (I think it was quarter or nickle slots) to pay for their trips...but I never believed that....still don't get the fascination of Vegas - but Grandpa did whatever Grandma wanted. Just seems funny to me that old people liked a place like Vegas........anyway.....

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask.

I see you still have Barth motorhome get togethers. It's interesting to read this forum because I think perhaps you people know things about my family history that I don't.

Thank you for stoping by. You may not know that your grandfather sold the company in 1969 just when they started making motorhomes. But the design which is attributable to your grandfather is still the reason we love them so. I have attached to this post an article supplied by our friend Lee Shiek of College Park, Md. It tell a great deal about the history of Barth and calls your grandfather one of the "pioneers" of the travel trailer industry.

quote:

ejokmo@verizon.net

Barth_Success.pdf

That opening paragraph was the nicest thing I've heard today. Thank you for stopping by. We hope to hear from you again. Please stop by more often.

I've received an Email from Bob Barths Granddaughter.

quote:

Hi Bill,
I joined a Barth website some time ago just out of curiosity awhile
back. I'm not sure if it was yours. Perhaps you might remember me.
I am Bob Barth's granddaughter. I am 39 years old and didn't know
much about the real history of grandpa's business and it was
interesting to learn a bit about it.

What brings me back now is that I am interested in finding a trailer
from when he would have had a hand in the business. Perhaps you can
advise me on what years those would be? I know you are the pro at
this info. I just want (I believe) a trailer that I can hook to the
back of my SUV or truck. I'm a very sentimental type and would like
to go camping with my daughter in a Barth.

Thank you.

Kristi

I have reset her permissions and will invite her to post here. I hope she does...

Greetings from McBarth, I just joined this site. Just a note to let you know I have a 1965 Barth Jr. 18ft. I just got it for Xmas and it's in original shape but needs a little TLC. I hope you find one too!! I want to decorate it up in a diner/coca cola theme. If I figure this website out and how to post pictures I will. I'm fairly new to computers and digital cameras so be patient with me.

McBarth (and Kristi), welcome to the Forums!

I met one of the granddaughters in Key West at a laundrymat last December a year ago. They had an older barth trailer and were staying at Long Pine Key campground and were from Indinia. We were supposed to hook up later, but things did not work out to see each others rv. sky

Hi All,
On a whim I thought I'd drop back by to see what Barth news there may be - and lo and behold you are planning a get together here in Warsaw! I hope you don't mind that I just signed up again since I've long forgotten my old password information. It made me smile to know that the Barth name lives on and these trailers are still bringing joy to you. My grandparents have both passed away and I struggle to remember the sound of their laugh and even their faces sometimes. Funny what remains of memories. I think the most precious memory I have is a kleenex grandma used to blot her lips after applying her lipstick once - the color that I never see anyone wear anymore these days that was distinctly hers and something suddenly so dear to me when she died. Of grandpa, a shirt that has Barth embroidered on it, and the way he chuckled when I scrunched up my face at him throwing the fish he caught up on the grassy bank here at the house. Strange what survives a person: A kleenex, fish stories and apparently a bunch of well built homes on wheels. We bought their property out of their estate when they passed and live in Warsaw so I will try to drop by and take in the sight of all the Barths proudly lined up in June. I'm particularly interested in seeing the ones built during the time Grandpa still owned the business -which I understand to be until around 68' when they apparently decided to sell the business so they could devout themselves full time to spoiling me....that's my story, and no one can convince me otherwise. (I was born in 68') Warmest wishes to you all. - Kristi Ormsby

Wow!

What a down-to-earth post from the blood-line of the man who started this whole thing...

...makes me feel not-so-silly for some of the things I can't seem to part with; reminders of the people who came before us and have left a rather large footprint that we could only hope to fill.

I will definitely think of my coach in a different way from now on. Built by down-to-earth people, as I presume most of the people here at Barthmobile are themselves ...and maintained and carried-on by that very same mentality.

Thank-you for your kind words and sentimental candor Kristi Ormsby...

Kristi: I am also looking forward to the June GTG to meet so many nice people and see more Barth coaches. Hopefully I will see you there. These coaches seem to attract the kind of people that know the value of good stuff, even if it's old. I think this is our way of resisting the throw-away mentality so common today.

I think your family should be rightly proud of your grandfather, he had a vision of high quality coaches that were built to last. I'm pleased to own one and especially pleased for the fine group of people associated with it. Take care, be well! Steve VW

quote:

Originally posted by Bob & Ava's I'm particularly interested in seeing the ones built during the time Grandpa still owned the business -which I understand to be until around 68'...

Welcome back Kristi.

On page 2 of the photo gallery you'll see the images of some of the trailers and camper inserts that Bob Barth built himself. Each of the photos on that page will open up to a much larger image if you click on it.

Barth Trailer Company 1963 ~ 1968
Trailers and Pickup Truck Camper Inserts

Here is the oldest one we can find with a Trailer Tongue Stamp A9-132-19. Based on what we've been able to figure, it stands for the 132nd Barth Trailer built and it was completed in Sept of 1963.



If you would like to see a few more photos of this 1963 trailer, "Click Here" to view and read some more.

OnE more for you... Here's a 1967 Barth Trailer that has been converted into a semi permanent retreat.

.

.

quote:

so I will try to drop by and take in the sight of all the Barths proudly lined up in June

-Kristi Ormsby

Hi Kristi,

Coaches and trailers will start trickling into the Elkhart County Fairgrounds early during the week of June 11th, as some of us have made reservations for the entire week before the event's start on the 14th. Featured will be a luncheon for all Barth family members and former employees of the Factory at noon on Saturday (the 16th). It will be followed by an auction and ice cream social. Perhaps you can join us on Saturday morning for that will probably be the time to see the most Barths. Please join us then or anytime before (feel free to bring a guest). Be sure to find Nick Cagle when you arrive, as Nick is our host for the get-together.

Lou