RV: trailers and motor homes

About the Hitchiker:
The camper unit was built by Mid Canada Plastics in Melville,
Saskatchewan Canada and was the creation of company founder
Hugh Vassos, an innovative entrepreneur who also created the
community’s first drive-in theater and brought musical legends
like Louis Armstrong and Johnny Cash to Melville.
Hugh Vassos had a creative mind that led among others to the development of a
camper unit that would fit on most cars- just as long as they
had drip rails on the roof and a trailer pitch package on the
back end, according to a current owner. The trailer hitch assembly
was a resting point for the rear end of the camper, plus it
offered access to electrical connections for the rear light
assembly on the camper, since the car’s lights were likely
hidden from view.
The camper was compact and light enough to fit on a car but
had limited occupancy, given its size and aerodynamics
Mid Canada Plastics only built about 250 Hitchiker car
camper units during its brief production run in the early 1970s.

About the Pontiac Strato Chief (full disclosure, the below is AI generated):

Ah, the Pontiac Strato Chief—a name that conjures up images of classic cars cruising down open highways. But wait, there’s a twist! Let’s dive into this fascinating piece of automotive history.

The Strato Chief was Pontiac’s entry-level full-size car in Canada, produced from the mid-1950s to the early 1970s. Unlike its American counterparts, the Canadian Strato Chiefs had Chevrolet underpinnings. So, while it may look like an American-made 1958 Star Chief, the sedan you’re asking about is actually a Canada-spec Strato Chief1.

Now, here’s where it gets even more intriguing: the rare Hitchhiker camper. Picture this—it’s the early 1970s, and someone at Mid Canada Plastics thought, “Hey, let’s create a camper that attaches to regular automobiles!” And thus, the Hitchhiker was born. But what does it look like? Well, imagine a tall, narrow section that seems like a porta-potty on wheels (don’t worry, it’s not for bodily functions!). This section provides entry into the camper, lets an adult stand and climb into the sleeper area, and even acts as a tiny kitchen. It’s quirky, to say the least! The Hitchhiker camper found only about 250 buyers during its brief production run, and not many have survived to this day1.

Now, the one you’re curious about is mounted on a 1958 Pontiac Strato Chief. The upper section attaches to the roof, while the porta-potty-like part hangs out on a frame attached to the rear bumper. It’s like a rooftop trunk with character! And this particular Strato Chief is a one-year gem—1958 was when Pontiac rolled out design upgrades, including quad headlamps. So, it’s not just any Strato Chief; it’s a unique blend of Canadian heritage and campervan charm1.

If you ever spot one of these on the road, give it a nod—it’s a rolling piece of nostalgia that combines practicality with a dash of whimsy.

By the way, are you a fan of vintage cars or campers? Or perhaps both?

Credits:
Many thanks to Seith for his kindness and contribution
Mystarcollectorcar.com/Jim Sutherland
Dwaine Smith
ohmy.ca
Credits where credits is due