2005 Monaco 'Dynasty' Will Accompany Mae West's Famous 1931 'HouseCar' Across America During National 'Rolling RV Museum' Tour
 Interior of Mae West's "RV" |
National Tour Highlights America's RV Travels Past and Present
COBURG, Ore., March 21 -- A 2005 Monaco Dynasty motorhome manufactured by Monaco Coach Corporation has been selected by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) for RV historian David Woodworth's 30 city, 6,500 mile National RV History Tour, which launches Monday, March 28 from Palm Springs, California.
The National RV History Tour features Mae West's 1931 HouseCar, an early motorhome that allowed the famed Hollywood actress to travel the country in the luxury of her 'bungalow on wheels.' The 1931 Mae West HouseCar had an impressive array of features for its time, including sleeping accommodations for four adults, a two-burner stove, dining room, pantry, bathroom, kitchen sink and a back porch. The vehicle is powered by a 6-cylinder Chevrolet engine.
Accompanying the actress' vintage motorhome on the tour, and serving as its 21st century counterpart, is the 2005 Monaco Dynasty. This 2005 version of the 'HouseCar' is 42 feet in length and is powered by a Cummins diesel engine. The Monaco Dynasty contains a master bedroom suite, full bath, two flat screen TVs with DVD/VCR, a complete home theater system including surround-sound stereo, gourmet kitchen with microwave and convection oven, four-door refrigerator/freezer, GPS navigation system with flip-up monitor, satellite radio system with FM modulator and a fully automated in-motion digital satellite system. In addition, the living room and master bedroom slide out to double in size at the push of a button. The Dynasty even has a "basement," an under-floor storage area that, in places, opens to the entire width of the coach.
"All the luxuries and amenities featured in the Monaco Dynasty that historian David Woodworth will have on this tour represent the many technological advancements that have been incorporated into RV manufacturing since Mae West ventured onto the highway in her 1931 HouseCar," said John Nepute, President of Monaco Coach Corporation.
"Mae West's HouseCar was quite an advanced motorhome for its time," said David Woodworth. "A lot has changed since that time -- the vehicles, the technology and the industry itself, but the thing that lured Mae West and so many millions of other people to the road in RVs year after year is the same today as it was 75 years ago: Americans love their freedom."
This year, the National RV History Tour will be stopping at public campgrounds throughout the U.S. The "rolling museum" is free of charge and open to the public. David Woodworth will show the Mae West HouseCar and the Monaco Coach Dynasty to history buffs and RV enthusiasts along the way. The National RV History Tour continues through May 20, 2005.
About Monaco Coach Corporation:
Headquartered in Coburg, Oregon, with additional manufacturing facilities in Central Oregon and Indiana, Monaco Coach Corporation employs approximately 6000 people and is one of the nation's leading manufacturers of recreational vehicles. The company offers entry-level priced towable RVs up to custom made luxury recreational vehicle models under the Monaco, Holiday Rambler, Safari, Beaver, McKenzie and Royale Coach brand names. For additional information about Monaco Coach Corporation please visit www.monacocoach.com.
About David Woodworth:
David Woodworth is generally acknowledged to be the leading authority in the field of recreation vehicle history. Over the years, his collection of antique RVs, literature and camping equipment has been a valuable resource for the Smithsonian Institution. Woodworth began collecting antique camping vehicles and equipment in 1968 and maintains the country's largest collection of early vehicles, camping gear, literature and photography with 33 RVs ranging in vintage from 1916 to 1941. Mae West's 1931 HouseCar is one of Woodworth's favorite RVs.
About Mae West:
Mae West was born in Brooklyn, New York to "Battling Jack" West and Matilda Doelger. She began her career as a child star in vaudeville and later went on to write her own plays. The actress appeared in 12 Hollywood films, co-starring with Cary Grant, George Raft, W.C. Fields and other Hollywood leading men. Mae West died in Hollywood on November 22, 1980 at the age of 87.
About RVIA:
The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association is a national trade association representing more than 550 manufacturers and component suppliers producing approximately 98 percent of all RVs and conversion vehicles manufactured in the United States.
2005 National RV History Tour Itinerary with David Woodworth: Monday March 28 Palm Springs, CA Wednesday March 30 Sand Diego, CA Friday April 1 Yuma, AZ Monday April 4 Tuscon, AZ Tuesday April 5 El Paso, TX Thursday April 7 Odessa, TX Friday April 8 San Angelo, TX Monday April 11 Waco, TX Tuesday April 12 Austin, TX Wednesday April 13 Houston, TX Thursday April 14 Beaumont/Port Arthur, TX Friday April 15 Lafayette, LA Monday April 18 Baton Rouge, LA Tuesday April 19 New Orleans, LA Thursday April 21 Hattiesburg, MS Friday April 22 Jackson, MS Monday April 25 Fort Smith, AR Wednesday April 27 Tulsa, OK Thursday April 28 Wichita, KS Friday April 29 Topeka, KS Monday May 2 Omaha, NE Tuesday May 3 Lincoln, NE Thursday May 5 Cheyenne, WY Friday May 6 Casper, WY Monday May 9 Billings, MT Wednesday May 11 Helena, MT Thursday May 12 Missoula, MT Monday May 16 Spokane, WA Wednesday May 18 Yakima, WA Friday May 20 Portland, OR
