1961 Holiday House Geographic Model X
A Brief History
The Holiday House Geographic is among the most desirable vintage travel trailers in the world. One of only two currently known to be in existence, the body of this trailer was designed by world renowned industrial engineer, Chuck Pelly, designer of the Scarab race car and founder of Designworks USA which is BMW's California Studio.
David Holmes, President of "Harry & David" fruit company, began producing the Holiday House travel trailers in November of 1959 in Medford, Oregon. These were aluminum and wood constructed trailers as many of their counterparts of this era. The Holiday House trailers stood out as distinctive due to their highly progressive and futuristic design.
In 1958 David Holmes enlisted Chuck Pelly to design the Geographic model, also known as Model X, as a super limited production model which he dubbed the "Trailer For The Rich". The styling was unlike any trailer of its time. There are thought to have only been parts of 7 of these strikingly futuristic fiberglass trailers ever made with a price tag of almost $8,500. The Holiday House factory burned down in 1962. The molds that survived the fire were discarded years later.
This 1961 Holiday House Geographic was completely restored from the frame up with no expense spared by Flyte Camp in Bend, OR. This trailer would make a wonderful addition to any collection, and is fully equipped as a modern luxury travel trailer.
The Exterior
The exterior was tastefully re-finished with Axalta finishing systems and coatings in a two-toned champagne and moss green with bronze colored pin-stripping. The entire running system was upgraded with new axles, brakes, wheels, and 10-ply Diamond Back white wall trailer tires. The exterior is completed with a vintage style fabric awning.
The Interior
The interior features Black Walnut wall skin, cabinetry and black walnut hard wood flooring with custom aluminum detailing. The bathroom/dressing room features Marmoleum flooring, Walnut and Marmoleum countertops and a Stainless Steel shower with a Teak hardwood shower floor insert. Through out the coach original vintage light sconces are combined with LED lighting. Warm LED strip lighting accents the cabinetry, with lighting in cabinet, under cabinet and along the floor in the living area.
The kitchen is outfitted with a stainless two burner cook top, a two drawer stainless 3-way fridge, and a stainless sink with a built-in drain board. Completing the interior finishes are stainless kitchen countertops and luxury upholstery fabric in moss with accents of high end custom pleated and lined drapery.
Behind the scenes an LP on-demand hot water heater provides a steady flow of limitless hot water. Off grid, the water holding system is made up of a 35 gallon fresh water tank, a 35 gallon black water tank and 40 gallon grey water holding. The 2000 watt Go Power! inverter system is powered by 4 Trojan 6-volt AGM batteries, and is solar capable. There are both 110 outlets, and 12 volt ports throughout the trailer. The A/V system includes a 32” TV, surround sound and a DVD/Bluetooth stereo system. The Air-conditioning system has a heat pump and is tastefully concealed under the front couch.
The front L shaped sofa, is 30” deep with pillows removed and can comfortably sleep two. The gaucho couch also extends to sleep two. There is ample storage, with full extension drawers. Aluminum trim and detailing has been added to the bottom of the cabinetry.
An Award Winning Collectible
No detail was overlooked; including the laser etched stainless steel transition with "Geograpic Model X" inscribed. The trailer also comes with the personal signature of Chuck Pelly himself, both inside the trailer and on the exterior. This trailer was featured on the official 2018 Hot August Nights poster. Hot August Nights is the largest collectable car show in the US.
The Geographic was also featured on the cover of the June 2018 edition of Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine, won Best of Modernism at the 2018 Palm Springs Modernism Vintage Travel Trailer Show, and Best Mobile Mansion at the Pismo Coast Rally in May of 2018.
The trailer has also been filmed for an episode of Extreme RVs on the Travel Channel.
You can also check out the build on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqAVxxbmWz4na-9dGz8-QeQ
Photos courtesy of Hal Thomas Photography, Tim Cash of Far From Earth Films, and Anna Scribner of Flyte Camp, LLC.
