Occasionally, a vehicle comes along that conveys the nostalgic allure of an entire era, propelling one back to a simpler, more genteel way of life. The astonishing rig that once belonged to marine products representative J.M. Keely is one of them. A combination of a 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe Coupe and custom-built trailer, the unit served as both a sales platform and on-the-road accommodations as Keely plied his trade along the coastal towns of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.

The Model A Deluxe Coupe used to power this setup was modified with a heavily reinforced rear spring and cross member and uses the axle, hubs, brakes and wheels from a Ford AA truck unit. Its four-cylinder engine has two six-volt generators – one for the car and the other for twin storage batteries that power the trailer’s running, tail and interior lights. The trailer hitch is a “Glenn Curtiss Aero-Coupler,” designed by the aviation pioneer, also the maker of Curtiss Aerocar trailers.

Riding on a Ford AA truck rear axle, hub and wheels, the trailer’s brakes are vacuum-operated from a unit in the car’s engine compartment. A 110-volt “shore power” takes over for fans, lighting and the radio when the rig is at a trailer camp and can be run from a gas-powered generator, as well. The nautical-themed interior exhibits all the comforts of home with twin bunk beds, a hooded gas stove with exhaust fan, icebox, sink with running water, writing desk and cabinetry for the enamelware cookery and utensils. A 25-gallon tank with hand pump serves the unit, and an attachment allows "shore water" to be piped aboard.

The trailer’s exterior features include windows with Model A cranks and regulators with additional ventilation supplied from two brass-screened roof vents. All door hardware and locks came from a Model A. Canvas awnings provide shade, and the lovingly restored graphics depict the many companies Keely represented. The sale includes a boatload of these fishing supplies with lures, rods, floats, oars, small outboard motors, road maps and even letterhead that Keely used to reel in his Depression Era customers.