Back in the height of the Art Deco era of the 1930’s, automakers were trying all sorts of new ways to build vehicles with a streamlined look. Influenced by the aircraft of the period, many of these automakers tried their hand at making vehicles more aerodynamic just like their sky-traversing counterparts. While some companies’ products failed to catch on, like the infamous Chrysler Airflow, the smaller marques and coachbuilders, like Auburn and Cord for example, were building beautiful machines that the Regular Joe coveted. And if you were on the opposite end of the financial spectrum, you could go the extra mile and commission one of these coachbuilders to create a true rolling piece of pure art. And they didn’t stop at building cars; the wealthy sometimes commissioned these custom shops to build some of the very first road-going luxury motorhomes.

And that’s just what we have here. While cruising eBay, we found this unbelievable and rare combo: a top-of-the-line 1937 Curtiss Aerocar trailer mated to a one-of-one 1938 REO cab-forward hauler, custom commissioned by a real estate magnate so he could travel between developmental properties in total style. Let’s check it out!

See this guy? This is Dr. Hubert Eaton, the man who had this tandem built. Eaton’s claim to fame was creating the Forest Lawn Memorial Park series of properties, which in a nutshell, were fancy cemeteries that eschewed traditional memorial markers for plaques, giving the properties a park-like feel and look. He took this concept and applied it to multiple properties in Southern California. To travel in between these properties, he approached the Los Angeles-based Standard Carriage Works to build him a mobile trailer and hauler. And man, they nailed it.

The motorized end of this thing is a heavily modified REO bus chassis, originally fitted with a rear-mounted 12-cylinder White truck engine making 212hp. After traveling over 250,000 miles, the engine grenaded and was replaced with a 300hp Cummins Diesel six. The engine replacement was performed back in the early 1950’s, and remains in the rig today. The body is constructed of aluminum, but it still weighs in around 13,000 lbs.

This road-going luxury liner is now sitting on a back lot at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, where it’s being sold as is, where is. Unfortunately, the big old beast doesn’t run at this time. Other than that, the hauler appears to be in great shape, and mostly original. The Art Deco-style pontoon fenders were something you didn’t normally see on big trucks back then, or for that matter, since.

The Curtiss Aerocar trailer is a true classic, and among the first fifth wheel trailers made. This one, however, is permanently mated to the tow rig, making this one LONG vehicle to have to navigate around! No backup cameras on this rig, but you do get a pair of large-by-huge side mirrors! You’ll need them, because the whole rig measures a hair under 50 feet long! And you thought piloting your grandma’s Delta 88 was a daunting task…

Sadly, the ad does not show nearly enough pictures of this curious machine, especially on the inside. This shot, however, is somewhat interesting. This is the inside of the front compartment of the trailer. Note the windshield wipers on the front windows; that’s not something you normally see on a travel trailer! There are acres of wood and light blue upholstery, just like your grandpa’s basement had in the 70’s. There also appears to be some instruments packed into the “dashboard” of the trailer, as well as a totally out of place early 90’s shaft style radio. The big dial in the middle is a speedometer, presumably for the original owner to keep tabs on how fast his driver was going.

Again, lots of aqua blue upholstery and wood covering every surface in this behemoth. And you can just see the bathroom peeking through in the back. There are two of them onboard; one half bath in the cab of the tractor, and one full bath in the trailer. Luxurious!

Strangely, there aren’t any sleeping quarters to speak of in the trailer, but you do have a small “lounge” area to prospectively hold meetings with other real estate luminaries! We’re guessing the table may fold down and turn that booth into a bed.

Now, here’s the kicker, at the time of this writing, the auction is up north of $75,000 and climbing! Remember, this is a non-running rig. Also, remember that this thing is truly one of a kind, and absolutely amazing. Someone out there is going to get their hands on quite possibly the coolest travel rig on the planet. Hopefully the new owners will refurbish the drivetrain and hit the road!

Of course, share your thoughts on this giant work of art in the comments below!

Click HERE for a link to the auction on ebay!

And see below for the auction details:

 

This ultra-streamlined Reo tractor was specially built to tow a Curtiss Aerocar, one of the earliest production fifth-wheel trailers.  Custom built for Dr. Hubert Eaton of the Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks, its innovative cab-forward aluminum and leatherette body was constructed by Standard Carriage Works of Los Angeles, a coachbuilder that specialized in bodies for trucks and other commercial vehicles.  It features a large storage area, sleeping quarters for the driver, and a separate four-cylinder engine for auxiliary power.  A Williams air-brake system and dual rear wheels accommodate the permanently attached 10,000-pound trailer.  First equipped with a V-12 White truck engine, the Reo tractor was fitted with a 300-horsepower Cummins 6-cylinder diesel in 1953 when the original engine wore out after more than 250,000 miles of use. 

The luxurious and expensive Aerocar trailer was built by Curtiss of Coral Gables, Florida, a firm also known for motorcycles and pioneering aircraft.  Nicknamed “Vagabond” by Dr. Eaton, it was outfitted for hunting excursions and to transport company executives on trips to inspect various real estate holdings.  Special features include a self-contained restroom and kitchen, comfortable seating for eight, cup holders, and an observation deck equipped with a speedometer, compass, and intercom for communication with the driver.  Though currently set up for day travel, the interior can be modified to sleep up to six passengers.  This dramatically styled rig was in regular use until retired by Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks in 1991.

This is a non-running vehicle sold as-is. There is no warranty and no guarantee on the condition of this vehicle.  Please contact us with any questions regarding the condition of this car before any bid is placed. Buyer is responsible for picking up and or shipping this vehicle.

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