In 1937, 400 trailer manufacturers were competing against each other — Airstream survived the Great Depression and World War II, and is, in fact, the only one on that list still in business today.
Cornelius Vanderbilt IV, great-great grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt, was a good pal of Wally Byam, the Airstream’s inventor and, unsurprisingly, wanted a larger model. Called the Airstream Commodore Vanderbilt, it was the first 30-footer style manufactured. This was back in 1955, 3 are still known to exist. http://www.ourstate.com/airstream/
Out Of Doors Mart in North Carolina is the oldest Airstream dealership still in business, http://www.outofdoorsmart.com/
Dr William Gordan Stables, right, in 1885 just after he designed and built the Wanderer. It was pulled by two horses, Captain Corn-flower and Polly Pea-blossom back then.
Custom-made in 1884, this 30ft caravan is more like a palace on wheels.
Commissioned by Scotsman Dr William Stables, The Wanderer was the first caravan to be made purely for the pleasure of travel. Made from mahogany and maple wood, and painted black and gold, former naval officer Dr Stables wanted the life of a gypsy while traveling in style - spawning the nickname 'Gentleman Gypsy'.
The Wanderer has clocked up tens of thousands of miles and was inspired by traditional horse-drawn Romany wagons.
It boasts a bookcase, china cabinet and even musical instruments to entertain campers when it rained outside.
But the world's first caravan has been gathering dust for years and was only wheeled out on special occasions. Beverley Larion, of the Caravan Club, said: 'We would prefer to keep it at the Caravan Club rather than in a storage facility so our members can enjoy it. 'It’s the most beautiful display of craftsmanship internally and the upholstery is all original.'
Mikafa means: Mindener Karrosserie und Fahrzeugbau
the owner bought this 1959 coach built RV from the kids of a Hungarian Count and his wife (who was of Vanderbilt lineage) and they used it for two three month long tours through Europe with their two children. After that it was shipped to the US and remained in use until the 1970's when it was parked in the garage. and could afford this rare one of 50 or so coach built RVs.
This cost about the same as a Mercedes 300 SL gullwing
These are a Tempo Matador chassis, which in Hamburg Harburg by the company. Vidal and son was made. The company MIKAFA (Minden Karrosseriefabriken) made on the basis of the pace diverse special designs for wealthier Scouting. To my knowledge, cost of these campers well above 55,000, - DM, which was more than had been spending 300 SL for Mercedes.
The frame is made of normal steel, only the outer skin of the vehicle is made of 1.2 mm thick duralumin , The Fa. Mikafa had made before the 2nd World War as an aircraft workshop with this lightweight, but very stable aluminum alloy good experience and then used in motorhomes, caravans and buses from 1948.