In Issue #30 of Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine, we shared the before photos of a rare gem: the Holiday House Geographic. Restoring this fiberglass beauty was no small feat.
The body had black mold throughout, which had to be painstakingly removed. The ceiling was buckling and required a complete replacement. Once those repairs were done, the team faced yet another challenge—getting the trailer to line up correctly.
Starting with an empty shell, the skilled team at Flyte Camp recreated the interior using their creativity and vintage photos as a guide. Anna Scribner wanted to highlight the trailer’s striking window lines, so the cabinetry was customized to expose them more than the original design allowed.
A Brief History of the Geographic
If you Google “Holiday House Geographic,” you’ll find several accounts of its history. Here’s a quick recap:
David Holmes, president of “Harry and David” (famous for mail-order fruit baskets), launched “Holiday House” trailers to keep his workers busy during the off-season. His designs broke away from the typical “canned ham” styles of the 1950s, introducing sleek, modern, “space age” aesthetics. Production started in Medford, Oregon, on November 2, 1959, and hit full swing by February 1960.
In early 1960, the “Geographic,” a fiberglass model nicknamed Model X, debuted at a trailer show in Van Nuys, California. Fewer than ten were ever made, and it’s believed that only five were completed. Priced at $8,495 (a fortune at the time, with homes costing around $13,000), no units were sold. The prototype was eventually purchased by the showroom manager, Joyce Woodin, in 1962 for $5,000.
The trailer changed hands over the years and was restored in 1999 by Los Angeles architect Bardy Azadmard. Afterward, it toured RV shows and was eventually sold for a reported six-figure sum before being shipped to France. For years, it was thought to be the only survivor.
A New Discovery
In 2016, another Geographic surfaced. Used to store car parts, it caught the attention of Justin Scribner of Flyte Camp. Justin and Anna were able to acquire this rare jewel and bring it to Bend, Oregon, for restoration.
The Finished Masterpiece
The restored Geographic features modern comforts while preserving its vintage charm:
- A solar/inverter battery system with portable ZAMP solar panels.
- On-demand hot water for long showers.
- Accent LED lighting above and below custom black walnut cabinetry.
- Climate-controlled HVAC with heating and A/C discreetly hidden under the front couch.
- Custom Axalta paint with pin-striping by Kurt Silva.
- Diamond Back whitewall radials for a polished exterior.
Inside, a home theater system includes surround sound, a DVD player, and a TV. It’s the perfect blend of luxury and nostalgia.
The Designer’s Approval
Chuck Pelly, the original designer of the Geographic and the Scarab race car, saw the restored trailer at the Modernism Show in Palm Springs. Pelly, who also founded the BMW Designworks Group, expressed his admiration for Flyte Camp’s work.
Flyte Camp’s hope is that their restoration fulfilled Holiday House’s original vision for the Geographic. It’s a testament to what could have been the future of travel trailers back in the 1960s.
UPDATE: David and Mary Gulley of the Gulley Museum Collection now own this trailer. They have found another Geographic that is currently undergoing restoration. Subscribe to the Vintage Camper Trailers magazine for a feature in an upcoming issue.
