Pardon our dust. We are a work-in-progress converting a personal page into the club website.
The Official Website of the Ultra Van Motor Coach Club (UVMCC)
1968 Ultra Van
World's Largest Production Corvair!
Topics
General Description
The Ultra Van is a unique motorhome. Powered by a Corvair engine and transaxle, it was designed by David Peterson (a professional aircraft designer) in the early sixties. These units were produced in limited quantities by the Ultra Van Corporation of Hutchinson, Kansas until June of 1970.
As a true monococque structure, the Ultra Van has no chassis. It is constructed like an airplane with aluminum ribs covered with riveted sheet aluminum on the top and sides. Compound curved areas (front and back corners) are fiberglass. All wheels are independently sprung with coil springs and tubular shock absorbers.
These units cruise easily at 60 mph and deliver 15 plus mpg. More than 200 of about 370 units produced are still on the road, many with between 100,000 and 500,000 miles of use.
The Corvair Society of America (CORSA) recognizes the Ultra Van as a true Corvair marque.
Interior Layout
ULTRA VAN MOTOR COACH CLUB
A club for all who are interested in Ultra Vans. Now, also a chapter of CORSA. Only $10 a year which includes receiving 4 issues of the Whales On Wheels newsletter and club roster. Sample copies are available on request, from the club treasurer. Members can also receive the newsletter in PDF format by request to the editor. To join, just send your check to the Club Treasurer for $10 payable to UVMCC : Lewis Young 1280 Michaeltin Court Manteca, CA 95336 Email: lew111@verizon.net Phone: 209-823-6293 or 209-639-6293 back to topics
Specifications
Length: 22 feet Wheelbase: 152 inches Height: 8 feet Width: 8 feet Price (New): $8,500 - $12,500 Dry Weight 3-4,000 Ibs Price (2009) $5,000 - $15,000 Touring Weight:4,500 Ibs-5800 lbs
- #203 - Michael LaRoche (805) 657-3188
- #256 - Glen Olson (309) 627-2464
- #267 - Francis Ferrance (760) 249-3960 (after Feb 10, 2007)
- #291 - Frank Y. Hinkle (619) 460-1920
- #311 - Larry Forman (916) 216-9801
- #530 - Fred & Margaret Bozeman (409) 786-4118
- Tiara - Glen Olson (309) 627-2464
Coaches for Sale Compiled from recent newsletters
Cross-Links with other web-sites
CORSA - The Corvair Society of America Homepage
Hemmings Motor News - "The bible" of the collector car hobby
The RV Zone - The InterNet RV & Camping Guide
The Chevrolet Corvair Page - A Great Car At Any Speed
Vintage Vacations A site devoted to the restoration and preservation of pre 1960 RVs.
Ken Hand is an well-known Corvair Mechanic in Michigan and can work on Ultra Vans
Gary Aube's Corvair Page - A very comprehensive Corvair page
Unique RVs - Just what the name suggests... back to topics
30th Anniversary "Home to Hutchinson" Rally
September 24-29, 1996. Kansas State Fairgrounds
The Ultra Van Motor Coach Club celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the start of production of Ultra Vans at Hutchinson, Kansas. By week's end, 38 coaches had gathered for the occasion.
During the week long encampment at the Kansas State Fairgrounds, hundreds of former Ultra employees and local citizens took the opportunity to visit with us, look at the coaches, talk to owners (both original and recent purchasers), and learn more about these unique vehicles. A group of about 20 Cushman Scooter owners rode down from Topeka to visit with us and share the nostalgia of old, classic vehicles.
Norm Helmkay's coach typifies the fond memories we have of our rally .
Current Rallys
A Typical Rally
Santa?
Well, he's not really Santa - but with a Helmkay-style smiley on the
front of his Ultra Van and his bushy white beard, Ron Adams sure has
surprized alot of kids along the highway!
Read about Ron's experiences in acquiring his Ultra, straight from the
pages of his weekly newspaper column. To find the 6 additional
columns scroll to the bottom of HIS page.
A Thai Odyssey via Ultra Van
In March of 1998, a Thai artist living in the U.S. arranged for a group of 5 art students from Thailand to tour the country. For some unknown reason they purchased the "demonstrator" Ultra Van (#200) and set off on their journey. Unfortunately the Ultra was struck in the rear and totaled. No one was seriously injured and the group continued on using more conventional transportation. The story of their adventure is located at the Philadelphia Museum of Art website.
WebMaster: Ken Wildman
Ken Wildman
