The fifth-wheeler floats between the world of the trailer caravan
and that of the motorhome, not quite fitting into either. Whichever
side of the divide you choose to classify this unusual outfit,
however, it certainly deserves its place in the broader history
of caravans.
The
makers were the Curtiss Aerocar Land Yacht company, certainly
related in some way to the Curtiss aircraft manufacturers whose
founder Glenn Curtiss was a rival of the Wright brothers in the
early days of aviation. The outfit was made for a New York financier
Hugh McDonald to take him on his daily journey from Long Island
to Wall Street. Providing the motive power was a 1932 Graham Blue
Streak coupé with 8-cylinder 4022cc engine developing 90
bhp and giving the car a solo top speed of 85 mph. The Blue Streak
introduced skirted front wings to the American market and was
immortalised in model form by 'Tootsie Toys' - a Tootsie Blue
Streak was the treasured possession of many a small boy across
the USA in the 1930s.
The fifth-wheeler Land Yacht is constructed on aircraft principles
with a frame of light metal tubing braced by wire cables. Up front
McDonald had his mobile office with a desk and wicker chairs.
At the rear was a galley and a lavatory. No doubt the Land Yacht's
crew included as well a the chauffeur an attendant in the caravan
so that the Wall Street man could be provided with breakfast or
light refreshments during his commuting journey. But, breakfast
over, was it work while the wheels rolled or did McDonald find
other diversions to take his mind off the dealings on Wall Street?
That 'bridge' at the front of the caravan over the hitch - which
incidentally employed a tyre to act as a shock absorber - was
fitted out with the kind of instrumentation one would find on
a flight deck. There was a compass, an altimeter, speedometer
and a barometer - also those swivelling spotlights. Can we guess?
It was McDonald the money man who toiled at the thirties forefather
of the laptop on his way to the office. Going home it was 'Captain'
Hugh, letting his hair down after a hard day worrying about the
next dollar, who navigated his craft from the pilot's seat way
below the clouds.
You can find this Land Yacht and its Blue Streak buddy in in the
Dutch National Motor Museum: Het National Automobiel Museum, Steurweg,
8, Raamsdonksveer.
Take the Dombosch II/Geertruidenberg exit from Motorway A27 between
Breda and Gorinchem. The museum is signposted, the entrance to
the rear of the Toyota Centre. It has a particularly fine collection
with the emphasis towards the exotic end of the automobile spectrum
- Bugattis, Duesenbergs, Cords, Aston Martin (ex-007!), the Darracq
from one of the great 'motor' films 'Genevieve'. Don't pass by
without a visit.
The Museum is open from the Good Friday through to the last Sunday
in October. Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 17.00, Sunday and Bank
Holidays opens at 11.00. Monday closed.
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