Fidelis Dale Wasinger’s amazing Great Dale House Car

You probably haven’t heard of Fidelis Dale Wasinger. Chances are you’ve never seen The Great Dale House Car either. But if you love RVing, you should know his story.

Great mind

Fidelis “Dale” Wasinger was a visionary inventor and entrepreneur who left an indelible mark on the automotive, real estate, and even casino gambling industry despite having only a grade school education and being illiterate.

Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Dale’s journey began in the 1940s when he started one of the city’s first automobile repair shops. His early work in auto body repair helped set the stage for The Great Dale House Car.

Salvage first

In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Dale invented and personally hand-built one of the first machines designed to cut steel and cars in half for salvage purposes. This innovation revolutionized the salvage industry, making it easier to repurpose damaged vehicles. Dale also applied his inventive mind to agriculture, creating and building farm machinery that helped modernize farming practices.

Wanted a motorhome

It was in the 1960s that Dale’s creativity blossomed. After suffering an injury in a car wreck, it was difficult for him to drive a truck-based motorhome. Since all motorhomes at the time were based on a truck chassis, Wasinger decided to build his own motorhome using a car as the base.

Dale Wasinger’s first project began with a 1961 Cadillac. The car had been in a rear-end collision. Local camper builders were too busy to help, so Dale and his wife took matters into their own hands. They transformed the Cadillac into a one-of-a-kind motorhome!

The process

The Wasingers cut out everything behind the Cadillac’s front seats. Then they attached the rear two-thirds of a Chevrolet pickup chassis. Dale then built a wood-framed, aluminum-sided camper on top. His work resulted in a low-slung, car-based motorhome. To Wasinger, the design was easier to drive than traditional truck-based models.

Innovative design

This innovative design, known as “The Great Dale House Car,” quickly gained attention. From 1962 to 1966, Dale and his wife hand-built between 50 and 60 of these unique vehicles in their small shop in Denver. The Wasingers used a variety of domestic car brands, including Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Chrysler, Dodge, and Ford. They transformed each vehicle into a custom motorhome.

Dale’s favorite

Dale favored Oldsmobiles for their optimal power-to-weight ratio. The finished house car weighed about the same as the original Olds or Cadillac, so Dale didn’t modify their frames. On other models, he meticulously modified the vehicle’s frames and suspensions to handle the added weight of the camper.

Success!

The Great Dale House Cars were never mass-produced or heavily marketed. Instead, they were sold primarily through word of mouth. Despite this, the vehicles became sought-after collectors’ items. It’s estimated that approximately a quarter of Wasinger’s motorhomes are still on the road today.

Too expensive

Dale eventually closed the Great Dale House Car Co. He said the rising cost of materials made the business unprofitable. Dale shifted his focus back to the salvage business and pursued his passion for casino gambling. (He developed a gambling technique that he called “The Dale Method.” His movie on the subject is still available on Amazon.)

Legacy

Throughout his life, Dale Wasinger was driven by a desire to innovate and solve problems. His legacy is remembered when one of The Great Dale House Cars occasionally come on the market. Dale’s life serves as an inspiring example of how determination, creativity, and a willingness to take risks can lead to extraordinary achievements. Read more about Dale Wasinger here and see more wonderful photos of his House Car creations.

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