The Holiday House Model “X” Geographic.

Evidently there were only 5 ever made, and this is the only one still in existence. In 1960, it had a sticker price of $8,495. This was a time when you could purchase a decent house for $13,000. America just wasn’t ready for luxury mobile living, so after a couple of years of trying to make a sale, the showroom closed in 1962, and this trailer was purchased for $5,000 by the showroom manager. In 1995 she passed away, and her sister sold the trailer for a couple hundred dollars.

In 1999 a Los Angeles architect named Bardy Azadmard saw the trailer along side the road with “for sale” painted in the window. The trailer was so rat infested that you couldn't breathe inside and all the wiring and plumbing had been chewed to bits. However, after nearly a decade of work and careful attention to detail, he brought the project back to life in all its original glory (from the teak cabinets to the original appliances).

The restoration cost around $20,000, and the trailer has since been sold (Sept. 2011) to a buyer in France and shipped over seas. The selling price? Undisclosed, but Azadmard says it went for as much as you’d currently pay for a house!

The whole story, including the history of its design and production, scans from the original appliances, some scans from the original advertising campaign, available floor plans and options, information about the restoration project, information from the assembly line, etc. is available at this website: www.1960prototype.com. The site is nothing flashy, so you may think you’re in the wrong place at first, but the information and photos are all there.

Open road in a Mercedes Gullwing.

Where is going and where has he been? Epic shot by Scott Pommier.

Roadside picnic in the great outdoors. Looks like a Messerschmidt?

Mopar lovers with a urge for travel or just plain cool places to stay should check this out!
"Seven miles west of the outskirts of Houston lies Texas' best kept secret, John Hovas' Hemi Hideout. The Hemi Hideout is a 21,700 sq. ft. Heavy Timberframe, scissor arched masterpiece that is the largest of its type in Texas. It's octagon shaped copula rises to a height of 54 feet. The Amish inspired structure uses mortise and tenon joinery and all timber pieces are secured with oak dowels, eliminating the need for bolts, nails or glue. The massive building incorporated many environmentally friendly features. All of the Douglas Fir timber was harvested from sustainable forests. R-38 rated structural insulated panels were used for the walls and roof, and geothermal heating and air-conditioning, make this building extremely energy efficient.

The Hemi Hideout is a direct reflection of a lifelong dream fulfilled by owner John Hovas. It all started at age 16, with his love for the Dodge and Plymouth muscle cars of the 1960's and early 70's. Today, the venue is filled with 24 of the most desirable Mopars on earth, Icons from an era of Rock-And-Roll. Over 600 vintage porcelain and neon signs, all from days gone by, that date back as far as the early 1900's. Also featured in the venue, are many various pieces of memorabilia, antique tractors and motorcycles, all restored to their original factory glory.

“Never stop chasing a Dream”
-John Hovas
This Texas sized mancave, is complete with a 1950's style diner, soda fountain and state of the art kitchen. There is a beautifully appointed , large yet cozy, living area with a grand fireplace. There are six large screen TV's, strategically located throughout the facility, both inside and outdoors to enjoy. Throughout the building there is a current line array sound system, second to none, complete with staging for live entertainment. Outside there is a large outdoor Bar-B-Que pavilion, complete with a western style bar and an outdoor fireplace.

Surrounding this outstanding structure and all of its unique interior features, is a professionally designed and beautifully appointed landscape scheme. Large mature pecan and weeping willow trees, and a multi leveled water feature, set the tone around the Hemi Hideout. The water feature is filled with many different varieties of fish, frogs, water lilies and exotic bog plants from around the world. The Hemi Hideout is certainly a dream come true!"

SOME PEOPLE RETURN from a trip with a stash of mini bath gels in their carry-on. The more daring might nick a bathrobe. But who's ever brought back a shiny new Lamborghini—and with the hotel's blessings? Properties have been upping the amenity ante with new car-related perks, aimed to make sure you sightsee in style (and, in one case, to send you home with one hell of a souvenir).

Yesterday's travels took me to Competition Motors in Portsmouth, NH where owner Donald Koleman's race winning Type 51 Bugatti and a Sprint Midget take center stage. Offy engine at rear.

For some cars hitting the 300,000 mile mark would be considered an impressive accomplishment, but for a 1995 Toyota Tacoma (2.4 L engine).... it's nothing to write home about.

My brother just drove coast to coast with this truck, and all it required was 2 oil changes and gasoline.

Traveling 1906.

Winding road in what country?

Jet Drive In Austin, Texas 1960. This postcard was published as an advertising piece for the lighting company. They claimed to not only flatter the food but faces as well.