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.

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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



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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

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.

One of the highlights of our rally was the convoy from Cheney State Park to Hutchinson for a parade of 27 coaches through town. Hundreds of people took thousands of photos, and television stations from Wichita and other cities recorded the event. The photo below is a panoramic view of the coaches forming up for our convoy.

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

Each year there are a number of Rallys in different parts of the country. The following list gives the date, location and a phone number for more information. Join us!

July 16-20, 2013    CORSA International Convention - 3600 E. Cork St. Ct,
                       Kalamazoo, MI.  Info:  dykwelld@gmail.com 
 

    

Sept 17-21, 2013   47th Annual National UVMCC Rally - Ozark RV Park,  1022
                       Park Ave., Mountainview, AR, 1-866-6927578.  Info:  Jim & Roy
                       Davis, 270-4354572 or Norm & Brenda Standal, 239-656-3075

A Typical Rally

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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.

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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