Antique & Unusual RV's

Antique & Unusual RV’s:

Traveling around the country we have encountered some old and rather unusual rv’s. Below we share with you these pictures, and where possible, information about these individual recreational vehicles. Some vehicles are just survivors, others testify to an impressive restoration, and others are simply unusual.

  

It our intent to constantly add to this album, so check back-in anytime for updates.

The Spartan Trailer shown is approximately 50’ long and was one of the largest produced by Spartan Aircraft Company, Tulsa, OK from 1946 to 1960. This appears to be a Spartan Imperial Mansion all aluminum ‘trailercoach’, circa 1951.

A super C is an understatement for this one-off custom with extended frame coming in well over the largest Renegade or Dynamax offered; this beast is over 45’. I believe this is a GMC General, circa 1979 which is a Class 8 truck with a 33,000 pound weight limit.

Here is an interesting custom job combining an aluminum hulled boat with a camper topsides.

With so many campgrounds occupied by work-campers (literally people living in rv's and moving from job-site to job-site) this one caught my attention as a 'motel' for share-croppers, or in this case as a multi-room bunkhouse for migrant workers at this Mississippi fairground.

This sorry looking motorcoach, which I have been unable to identify, was sitting on the side of the road at an auto repair shop; the mechanic did not know the make of the rv. If anyone can determine the make (the grill symbol is a mystery) please let me know.

These are most likely 1953 era GMC buses that were in running condition and described as 'Greyhound' conversions. They are rare, especially in operating condition, and not as prevalent as the GMC 4107 with the distinctive two level roof line.

 

Airstream introduced its Class A motorhome in 1974 branded as an 'Argosy'. These 345 Airstream coaches were used to deliver astronauts to the launch pad. The company discontinued their manufacture in 1989. This is a 1985 Airstream.

A Restored 1995 Airstream Land Yacht, with Custom Trailer

This 1989 Holiday Rambler Imperial, (35', weight 7405 lbs) appears to have been restored. Notice new temporary license plate. Founded in 1953 Holiday Rambler is noted for for innovations in the industry such as: built-in refrigerators, holding tanks and aerodynamic  corners. They were the first with tag axles and the kitchen slide-out. It was sold to Harley-Davidson in 1986 and then to Monaco in 1996; in 2013 it was acquired by Allied Specialty (the REV Group).

This Barth is a rare find, particularly one so faithfully restored.  Founded by Bob Barth in 1963 as the Barth Trailer Company producing all aluminum travel trailers. He sold the company in 1968 to Mike Umbaugh. Mike changed the focus of Barth to produce upscale motorcoaches which they manufactured at the rate of 300/year from 1970 to 1973 when the energy crisis hit. The company eventually curtailed operations in the late 1980's. This appears to be,after some research, a circa 1980's diesel pusher(5.9 Cummins), 30' long. Probably one of the last off their production line.

Safari, Serengeti edition; this appears to be a 1998, 38' diesel pusher. Safari owners are known as a loyal and enthusiastic group and have established strong owner groups across the country. Safari Motorcoach Group was established in the 1980's by two former employees of Beaver Motorcoach Corp. The last Safari rolled off the line in 2009 after the company was purchased in 2002 by Monaco which subsequently went bankrupt. Navistar Int'l subsequently purchased Monaco, however both the Safari and Beaver monikers were never resurrected.

This appears to be a 1989 Overland, 36' diesel pusher, Oshkosh chassis. Apparently Overland has a long and varied history since they first began production in the 1970's. They built coaches in the 24' to 33' foot range powered by gasoline or diesel. Purchased by Mallard Coach (founded in 1952) in 1989 they ceased business in 1992 and filed for bankruptcy. Mallard sold under the brand names of: Prairie Schooner, Overland, Sport, Europa and Baja. Fleetwood purchased the Mallard name sometime afterward; Fleetwood filed for bankruptcy in 2009.

A 1976 gas powered Winnebago Chieftain sighted in Oceanside Harbor North, CA. Interestingly, the engine is located directly below the floor between driver and passenger seats. Appears to be camp-ready and typical of the Californian love of the groovy 1970's style.

Shasta is an old and venerable travel trailer company. Founded in 1941 by Robert Gray this company has the longest history of continually producing rv's. The 50's and 60's produced the iconic and distinctive travel trailers remembered for their wings. W.R.Grace Company purchased Shasta in 1972 when they were the largest rv manufacturer in the USA. In 1976 Coachman Industries purchased Shasta from W.R. Grace and marketed the brand until 2004. In 2010 Shasta became a division of Forest River and is manufactured in Middlebury, IN. 2012 brought yet another change and Mark Lucas became president. The pictures below are of a 2015 Airflyte commemorative of the original 1961 trailer replete with wings and the memorable 'Z' stripe; to honor this iconic trailer Shasta only produced 1941 of them.

Newell Coach, manufactured Miami, OK was established in 1967. The founder L.K. Newell was the first to introduce two novel features: diesel engine, and diesel power rear engine. In 1970 Newell built his own pusher motorhome from scratch. His innovations include: rear engine diesel pusher, under floor storage (basements), air brakes, air suspension, and a front mounted generator. Newell sold the company in 1973 due to health reasons to the Goldenburgs; in 1985 the Blades became sole owners and continue to actively manage the company to this day.

 

This is a collection of old original trailers restored for lodging at Flying Flags RV, Buellton, CA. They are permanently parked on private sites within the rv park.

The first trailer appears, from the moniker, to be a Winnebago, however no other identifying manufacturer plates etc could be found.

The second trailer is a circa 1959 Airstream. Wally Byam started the company 80 years ago and today it is part of Thor Industries.

The third is a Boles-Aero trailer, circa 1950. Don Boles started the company based on his aircraft design and construction experience with Lockheed Corp. Boles-Aero’s were manufactured from 1947-1980 when the manufacturing plant went dark and Don Boles retired. Boles also introduced, collaborating with a German manufacturer, a front-wheel drive diesel type C motor home in the 1960’s. Like most entrepreneurs Boles brought first time innovations to the rv industry with flush door handles and flush vent covers.

A Vagabond is the fourth trailer. This 1941 Vagabond with its distinctive two-tone paint with automotive clear coat is a great example of the high-end construction of these steel framed trailers. Manufactured in New Hudson, MI these aluminum clad trailers were produced from 1931 until 1960.These were high-end units with toilets, circuit breakers, gas stove, and electric refrigerator. It is not clear what caused their demise in the 1960’s.

The fifth, and unknown trailer, appears to be another Vagabond.

The sixth, and final trailer, is another Boles-Aero, circa 1961.

An old Dina bus on Metz St., Solidad, CA. DINA (Diesel Nacional, S.A. de C.V, in English- National Diesel) is a Mexican automotive producer of heavy duty and specialty trucks, urban buses, armored military vehicles, and intercity buses. The company is owned by the Gómez Flores family.

This next set of pictures is of a circa 1967 MCI Challenger tour bus converted into a motorcoach; it appears to be in good condition. MCI continues to make buses although most of the conversions date from the 1960's.

In a previous picture we showed an old Newell in Buelton, CA. This pristine 1989 Newell was at the Grand Canyon. The owner indicated that it has been in their family since purchased new in 1989 and kept stored inside. This is Newell Coach#287