Ever seen one of these?? 1968 Chevy Ultravan - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

RainDog · 01-06-2003, 02:33 PM

Found this on the Stovebolt.com gallery page.
Says "This is a 1968 Ultravan, it is powered by a 283 in the back, running backwards, facing the back, running into a corvair transaxle. They were originaly powered by Corvair and Corvette engines. This is one of 175 units surviving. They were way ahead of there time, all aluminum construction, dry weight of 2900 lbs."
Pretty cool, I've never heard of these before!

RainDog

kingparts · 01-06-2003, 03:13 PM

Is there any inside pictures of that?

RainDog · 01-06-2003, 08:34 PM

Here's a link to a page with pics and lots of info about the Ultravans: http://austin.onu.edu/~kwildman/ultraVan.html

"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 55 mph and deliver 15 plus mpg. More than 250 of about 370 units produced are still on the road, many with between 100,000 and 500,000 miles of use."

RainDog

progress · 01-06-2003, 08:53 PM

Now that would be a real collectible. My wife would even go for that!

Super Chevy · 01-06-2003, 08:59 PM

wow, as above mentioned "dry weight of 2900 lbs" would make a sweet sleeper when you ad a 454

you'd smoke all the other motorhomes on the block,lol

01-06-2003, 02:33 PM	#1
RainDog Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Burien, WA, USA Posts: 391	Ever seen one of these?? 1968 Chevy Ultravan Found this on the Stovebolt.com gallery page. Says "This is a 1968 Ultravan, it is powered by a 283 in the back, running backwards, facing the back, running into a corvair transaxle. They were originaly powered by Corvair and Corvette engines. This is one of 175 units surviving. They were way ahead of there time, all aluminum construction, dry weight of 2900 lbs." Pretty cool, I've never heard of these before! RainDog __________________ "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats."

01-06-2003, 03:13 PM	#2
kingparts Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Clover, SC , US Posts: 971	Is there any inside pictures of that? __________________ 1970 Chevrolet Suburban 1967 Chevrolet C/10 Shortbed Stepside

01-06-2003, 08:34 PM	#3
RainDog Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Burien, WA, USA Posts: 391	Here's a link to a page with pics and lots of info about the Ultravans: http://austin.onu.edu/~kwildman/ultraVan.html "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 55 mph and deliver 15 plus mpg. More than 250 of about 370 units produced are still on the road, many with between 100,000 and 500,000 miles of use." RainDog __________________ "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats."

01-06-2003, 08:53 PM	#4
progress Gotta luv a clean shave Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 226	Now that would be a real collectible. My wife would even go for that! __________________ Welding while you wait...you can help if you like and it...might even save you a little as long as you don't mess things up! We make house calls too...just like the old days!

01-06-2003, 08:59 PM	#5
Super Chevy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,025	wow, as above mentioned "dry weight of 2900 lbs" would make a sweet sleeper when you ad a 454 you'd smoke all the other motorhomes on the block,lol



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