ID on a photo in a 2017 thread

[NancyJT]

Hello--and first a disclaimer. I'm not knowledgeable about Model Ts, but I have the answer to an apparent mystery photo in a thread of July 3, 2017 (but archived under July 5, 2017), which I can't reply to. The thread title is "Does anyone know the source of these two photos of a "Model T RV?" Farther down in the thread, Peter Kable posted a photo of an "Autobungaloafer."

I found out the info for this "Autobungaloafer" when searching Newspapers.com for info on my great-great-grandfather W. P. Small of North Albany, Oregon. The two men in the photo (lounging against the front of the truck/RV) must be Thomas S. Waud (1876-1959) and H. B. Ley (born 1875) from Cedar Falls, Iowa. Thomas Waud was married to an Ada Ley, probably a relative of H. B.

An article that appeared in the Albany (Oregon) Democrat-Herald on Sept. 2, 1921, tells of a "complete house on wheels" that arrived in Albany that day:

"The main attraction on First street today was a complete house on wheels with all the modern conveniences, such as electric lights, hot and cold water, ice chest and lavatory equipment. It bears the name of 'Auto Bungaloafer.'

"Early last Spring Mr. S. Waud and Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Ley and daughter of Cedar Falls, Iowa, decided to take a trip west. The 'Auto Bungaloafer' was designed and built by Mr. Waud and Mr. Ley so that they could get the fullest enjoyment out of their trip. The bungalow is built on a one and one-half ton Reo truck chassis and weighs more than three tons.

"The party started from Cedar Falls last May and has visited in Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon. From here the tourists are going to California to spend the winter. They have spent most of their time fishing and hunting and touring national parks. To date they have traveled more than 4,600 miles and say that they have had only one puncture and no engine trouble at all.

"The house on wheels cost more than $4,500 and is built of light wood with three windows on each side with rolling curtains and screens. The travelers have their own electric light plant, which furnishes them with light, heat and juice for their electric stove. It is equipped with three built-in beds, upholstered chairs and driving seat, dressing room and wash basin. In fact it is a complete modern house on wheels. The 'Bungaloafer' has the Iowa license number of 501,942.

"Mr. Waud was in Albany 17 years ago and says he couldn't realize that this was the same town, it has grown so fast. Mr. Waud is a relative of W. P. Small of North Albany, and because of the bridge not being repaired yet, drove to Corvallis in order to reach the farm of Mr. Small."

[NancyJT]

Here is that photo.

Autobungaloafer_camper_at_Overland_Park_motor_camp.jpg (43.01 KiB) Viewed 831 times

[Luxford]

Hi Nancy,yu7?
Thanks for the update on the Auto Bungaloafer, it's not often that we get detailed information of the people and their history in old photographs

[Luxford]

the yu7? is courtesy of my cat who decided to walk across the keyboard