- [Glen] Innovation does not always equate to success.
Even nowadays, new and unique designs
aren't always loved by the public.
I'm Glen, and today we're looking at 10 vintage campers
that may have been a bit ahead of their time.
(funky music)
Number 10.
- [Glen] Launched in 1913, the Earl Travel Trailer
is believed to be the world's oldest
non-tent travel trailer.
It was built for a CAL Tech professor in Los Angeles,
and pulled by a Ford Model T Runabout.
It has a dark wood exterior, and an interior
that is surprisingly roomy,
containing a four person dining table
that could be converted into a double bed when needed.
An original is currently on display
at the RV and Motor Home Hall of Fame Museum in Indiana.
But if you are a true fan,
then you'll be glad to know that a replica model
went on sale last year, priced at $12,000.
Number nine.
- [Glen] True to its name,
the 1939 Lindbergh Travel Trailer
was used by none other
than the famous aviator Charles Lindbergh himself.
When he wasn't off breaking records,
he enjoyed keeping his feet firmly on the ground,
to enjoy some camping.
His reflective aluminum skin trailer boasts two axles,
one at each end.
This allowed it to be unhitched from the tow vehicle
without the need for a support jack for the tongue.
The oak interior features bunk beds, a fold out table,
and a U shaped kitchen.
This trailer might not be the most luxurious on the list,
but because of their namesake,
they sell for around 150 to $200,000.
- [Announcer] Number eight.
- [Glen] Unveiled in 1937, the Ford Housecar
features a distinctive boxed shaped trailer
mounted on top of a '37 Ford pickup frame and cowling.
The rear framing is all wood,
painted a distinctive dark green,
with a metal skin wrapped around it.
The roof is made from a heavy waterproof canvas top,
which can expand to give the Housecar more height.
The door and window frames are made of thick solid oak,
and lead guests into an all wood interior.
Inside, there is a single bed with storage underneath,
as well as cabinets and a collapsible table.
A wood headliner, and curtains on all the windows
really complete the feeling of a warm, cozy camper.
During the 1930s, on average,
only six Housecars were manufactured per year,
at the Ford plant in Minnesota.
- [Announcer] Number seven.
(happy music)
- [Glen] Founded in the 1930s, the Airstream Trailer Company
initially sold plans, kits,
and partially completely trailers.
Customers would only purchase the silver aluminum shell,
which they had to put together themselves.
One of the available designs was the Airstream Torpedo.
This model was purchased by medical student
Dr. Holman in 1935, for a mere $5.
The equivalent of under $80 today,
and it's recognized
as being the oldest existing Airstream in the world.
It only took him three weeks to install the shell,
but two and 1/2 years to complete the interior.
By day, it features a sofa, flanked by two cabinets,
and a small kitchenette in the front.
By night, the sofa folds out into a double bed.
And extensions open from the cabinet,
allowing two single beds to be placed over the cabinets,
and a portion of the double bed.
- [Announcer] Number six.
(gentle music)
- [Glen] If this groovy camper van
is stirring up memories of the 60s, it's because by 1965,
a total of 187,000 had been built,
making the Ford Thames 400E
somewhat of a commercial success.
Minivan versions could seat up to 12 people,
and without all those extra seats,
it's square shape lent well to a caravan conversion.
It allowed plenty of space for a pullout sofa,
sink and stove top, while still feeling quite roomy,
thanks to the collapsible roof,
which created extra head space when standing.
Modifications to the van meant that a larger engine
had to be used, to compensate for the added weight.
- [Announcer] Number five.
(serene music)
- [Glen] The 1954 Hille Ranger is considered to be
the first modern pop up camping trailer.
The roof can be raised by operating a hand crank,
that's connected to a pulley system.
Once cranked to its full height of just over six feet,
the trailer is completed by inserting canvas walls.
Campers can then make use of the two single beds inside,
as well as the ample storage space.
It was patented and manufactured in 1954,
by Hille Engineering in Anaheim, California,
using fiberglass, and polyester resin.
There were only 200 Ranger trailers ever produced
before the name was changed to the Sport Ranger.
Selling for the high price of $1,500,
the equivalent of 13,000 today,
it's no surprise that the Ranger
had limited commercial success.
- [Announcer] Number four.
(gentle music)
- [Glen] Designed by the Food Machinery Company,
the FMC 2900R motorhome took to the roads in 1974.
At first glance it looks a bit like a bus,
which led to many of these being converted into buses,
back during the 70s.
The classic 70s interior consisted of a long couch,
and foldaway table, a spacious kitchen,
and of course, shag carpeting on the floor.
Priced between 27,000 and $55,000,
which was the cost of the average home at the time,
led to it mainly being popular
among upscale motorhome buyers at the time,
touting celebrity clients such as Clint Eastwood,
Carol Burnett, and Pat Boone to name a few.
Nowadays you can find models selling on eBay
for around $2,000.
And there are believed to still be
around 700 to 800 units out there,
down from the 1,000 that were originally manufactured.
- [Announcer] Number three.
(happy music)
- [Glen] Unveiled in 1961, the FaWoBoo,
when hitched to a car,
looked more like there was a boat trailer
going down the road than a camper van.
In fact, the name is an abbreviation
which stands for driving, living and boat.
Raising the roof is surprisingly simple.
You lift one end up and prop it up,
using the exterior wall,
and then move to the other end of the vehicle to repeat.
The side walls are stored, stacked on top of each other
under the roof, and just need to be moved into place
to complete the set up.
The resulting structure has a submarine type aesthetic,
with a porthole door for entry.
Inside, there is extremely limited space,
amounting to really only enough for a small double bed,
and a bit of storage.
It was originally priced at 5,960 Deutschmarks,
the equivalent of around $12,000 today.
- [Announcer] Number two.
(serene music)
- [Glen] Designed by Harmon Industries,
the Shadow had one of the most
innovative designs of its time.
Its unique fifth wheel inspired design
allowed even small compact cars
to pull the trailer through a hitch
mounted to the tow car's roof.
The hitch was made from a removable steel plate
bolted to brackets along the roof gutters.
To take advantage of the roll resistance
built into modern roofs, to firmly anchor it.
In addition, by placing the hitch on the roof of the car,
as opposed to the rear,
you could turn the tow car a full 360 degrees,
while still hitched to the trailer.
Harmon Industries sold the shell for $1,700,
and the fully equipped model for $6,500.
But despite its innovative design,
the Harmon Shadow never quite caught on.
The public perception that it required drilling a hole
in the roof of their cars,
and could cause damage to the rear end of the vehicle,
meant it was overshadowed by the competition.
- [Announcer] Number one.
(happy music)
- [Glen] Even more submarine-esque is the 1962 Windspiel,
which wouldn't be out of place as a movie prop
from 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.
This lightweight caravan weighed in at only 661 pounds,
despite having a propane stove,
refrigerator, and water tank included.
The interior features a sloped, triangular booth seating
that comes together at a rear facing window.
The front facing wall houses the kitchenette,
and a large window to look out at the surroundings.
Only five or six models were ever built,
at a cost equivalent to $11,000 in today's money.
Though some of these vintage trailers
offered campers a completely innovative experience,
not all of them broke into the crowded marketplace.
(light rock music)
Some were just a bit ahead of their time.
Do you know any other vintage campers this holds true for?
Let us know in the comments.
- Hey guys, this is Cassie. I hope you guys enjoyed this video.
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