Paul Lacitinola, the publisher of Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine, is often asked how he finds vintage camper trailers. Paul’s answer is always the same; “take a different route home and look in back yards!” That is exactly how he found “The Chick Magnet!”
Driving through Yuba City, CA, Paul spotted an interesting RV roof line. Never one to pass on he possibility of finding something interesting, Paul got out and started poking around to see what was behind the fence. The son of the property owner saw Paul taking a look and came over to see what in the world this crazy fella was doing in his parent’s yard. After some exacting questions, Bryan , the owners son, realized Paul wasn’t trying to rob his parents. At the time of the initial contact, the family was not ready to sell the RV, but Paul gave them his number and let them know he was interested in telling their story in the Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine and possibly buying it if they decided to sell. Six months later, the call came. Due to some life changes, he time had come to sell the Toronado.
The 1972 Toronado is a one of a kind, homebuilt RV. In 1979 Wendell and Helen Cook took 8 months, a 1972 Toronado Oldsmobile car and $18,000 to build their own RV. Wendell had an “outdoor childhood” camping, hunting and fishing. While raising his three boys, he wanted to share that lifestyle with them. The idea of traveling in a self-contained vehicle started Wendell’s journey to design, engineer and fabricate his dream RV.
Wendell grew up on a farm in an era that required ingenuity and grit. Running to town to buy what was needed wasn’t an option, so he learned how to create and build. He learned the lesson well. At 89 years young, Wendell was as sharp as a tack as he relayed how he created his very own RV.
After the chassis was complete, Wendell used a milk carton to sit on while he drove it down to the local muffler shop where he bought the exhaust tubing he used to frame the Toronado. On his way, he would pass the local sheriff who would wag his finger at him and shake his head! Bryan chimed in that his dad would also pass the high school and his buddies would be sure to point out his dad driving by on an open framed RV chassis. The MEMORIES!
While visiting with Wendell about his RV he started a story with; “When I was in prison…” His son, Bryan just grinned. The story continued that Wendell would take the RV and live in it while he worked for the CA Youth Authority as a contractor doing renovations and new construction with the incarcerated youth. Helen would often join him there and said that the RV was always comfortable and it seemed like a vacation to her because it wasn’t much to keep clean!
The last 38 years have seen some grand adventures for the Cooks. They have traveled over 80,000 miles in the Toronado and have collected some marvelous memories. Wendell bragged that he drove all the way from Yuba City, CA to Palm Springs, CA without fueling up! When he built the RV he designed it to run on both gas and propane just by flipping a switch. While getting up to speed or climbing hills, Wendell used gas. When he hit a flat stretch, he would switch to propane. No stopping required on their 530 mile trip!
In the sharing of stories, it was relayed to Paul that Wendell was nicknamed “Chick” following a bout with the chicken pox. The Toronado is beautiful and definitely gets some looks traveling down the freeway. With its “magnetic” personality, it was dubbed the “Chick Magnet”, by Paul, in honor of Wendell. Paul is honored that the Cook family has passed on their family treasure to him to share its story and get it back on the road.
- 1972 Tornado Oldsmobile chassis and motor
- Front Wheel Drive
- Sub Frame – 2×2 Steel Square Tubing
- Walls and Roof Framing – 1 ½ inch steel exhaust pipe tubing
- Exterior Siding Aircraft Aluminum
- Windshield – Transtar II International Truck
- Front Grill – 1978 Ford Pickup
- Front and Rear Bumper – Chevrolet Pickup Extended
- Wheels – Chevrolet Pickup
