This travel trailer was built in Michigan by the Aerocar Company
of Detroit. These trailers were manufactured commercially at several
locations in the U.S.A. at facilities that were licensed by the
Aerocar Corporation.
This style of travel trailer was invented in about 1927 by Glenn
Curtiss, a leading American aircraft designer. By using airplane
principles he felt that he could build a trailer that was lightweight,
but strong enough to travel over country roads.
The trailers' long streamlined bodies had a framework made of
vertical oak struts and horizontal longerons that were connected
by diagonally crossed nickel steel airplane truss wires. These
wires had tumbl,lckles that were used to "tune" them
to maximum tension, thus giving rigidity to the structure. Because
of this design, the trailers had no actual chassis.
The wheels on the trailers were placed at the extreme rear end
and the front had a long, curved, V-shaped prow with a hitch that
rested in the rear deck of a coupe or roadster. The hitcri utilized
a "Glenn Curtiss Aero
Coupler", which consisted of an airplane tire and wheel mounted
horizontally. This arrangement was an effective cushion against
road shock.
The trailers were covered on the outside with fabric which was
stretched tightly over tempered Masonite panels. All Curtiss Aerocar
trailers were custom made, one at a time, according to the customer's
specific requirements. This 221 trailer was built for Wm. Gray,
a Canadian, whose father Robt. Gray had pioneered the production
of Gray-Dort automobiles in Chatham, Ontario.
In the late 1930'5, a model such as this one would sell for about
$5,000.
Owned
and restored by:
Ken and Lana Hindley
Union, Ontario, Canada
1938 Tow Vehicle
|
This custom-made, one of a kind vehicle was built exclusively
for the purpose of towing this Aerocar trailer. Initially the
trailer was pulled by a 1936 Plymouth coupe, but it soon proved
to be somewhat underpowered. In order to realize the full benefits
of this travel trailer, the owner commissioned the International
Truck Plant in Chatham, Ontario to custom design and build this
unique little workhorse.
A 1938 custom D-Une cab and chassis with a shortened wheelbase
was chosen as the basic unit. A four-speed transmission gets the
power to the dual rear wheels through a two-speed rear end. Powering
up the unit is an International Green Diamond (GRD-233) six-cylinder,
L-head engine. Bore, 3-5/161'; Stroke, 4-1/21'; Piston displacement,
232.65 cu. in.; Compression pressure, 110-120 Ibs.; Horsepower,
93 @ 3400 R.P.M.; Maximum torque, 181 ft. Ibs. @ 1000 R.P.M.
The body was custom fabricated in Brantford, Ontario by Brantford
Coach. Moulded steel panels were fastened to hardwood framing
members.
Since this travel unit was chauffeur driven, it was self-contained,
even without the trailer. It would seat seven persons; the windows
had pull- down blinds, and the six-foot long rear seat opened
out to form a double bed. Storage compartments were provided for
the heavy-duty batteries, the delco generator, and even a swing-out
sink for the chauffeur. An intercom system connected the two units.
At the rear deck, a roll-down covering exposes the "Glenn Curtiss
Aero Coupler".
The coupled length of the combined unit is 35 feet and it weighs
in at approximately 5 tons.
Owned
and restored by:
Ken and Lana Hindley
Union, Ontario, Canada
|
|
