The world’s largest Corvair: that’s one way to describe the Ultra Van, a Corvair-based motorhome built in limited quantities in the 1960s. Featuring clever engineering to deliver a look like no other, there’s still an enthusiastic fan base behind these Corvair-powered oddities. You’ll find this project-grade example here on craigslist in Detroit for $4,500; go here if the ad disappears.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Pat L. for the find. This particular Ultra Van is in the middle stages of completion, with some hard work already done but plenty more ahead of the next owner. The engine has been rebuilt but is not installed; the brakes have also been done and new tires installed. The monocoque structure appears to be in fine shape, and while the side glass is good, it will need a new windshield.
Good luck finding one of those! The seller includes very few helpful photos of the interior, but from what we can see, it is not move-in ready. The piles of used parts and equipment tell the tale, which is that this Ultra Van has not turned a wheel in a while. The seller confirms this, noting the transmission has also been removed and there’s a host of interior improvements that need to happen first.
Here’s the motor; the seller says that on the inside, the Ultra Van will need insulation and paneling along with carpeting to make it feel more hospitable. The asking price seems reasonable enough, but there’s still more than a few weekends of DIY work needed before the Ultra Van is rolling again. Since it doesn’t run currently, factoring in the time and expense of installing the rebuilt motor is a must, but the novelty factor is off the charts. Worth finishing!
It’s camping season !
Tune up and a wash, why the heck not ?
In a league of it’s own…
Almost sure Jeff Lane has one of these.
Lane Motor Museum used to have the prototype, Ultravan #001, but we sold it in the summer of 2014 to an adventurous couple from Portland, OR. They flew in with boxes of parts and tools, spent a few weeks here making it roadworthy, and drove it back home! It was in better and more deserving hands with them than us – they are getting use out of it, and love the Ultravan.
I’ve seen several of these including two in person. I still can’t see how the Corvair six cylinder air cooled engine has the power to move one of these at (or near) highway speed. I’m not sure how well they did but, I guess they did well enough to get you there.
It weighed 3,420 pounds dry. About 1,000 pounds more than the Corvair itself. The final ones with the Corvette 400 V8 added another 1,000 pounds.
Ultra Vans were never produced with a “Corvette 400 V8”. Even Corvettes of the era were never built with a “Corvette 400 V8”. However, some Ultra Vans came with a 307 V8.
george corvettes never came with a 400
yup jw54 those corvair thingies have to have similar reliability to those winnebagoes that were powered by,of all things, a Renault 2.2 liter [i think] turbo diesel. Maybe enough guts to get to the grocery store, but plan on pushing it home. lol
I’ve always dug these motorhomes, but always wondered if they were slower than a Multipla, like the one recently listed elsewhere?
With some engine mods, it could be a fun weekend-away toy for someone.
beatnik…right on the only thing slower or less reliable than a renault or corvair was a fiat. Neat, but slow and unreliable.
This is a ticket to spend money .
The best part worth saving are the headlight rims!
Most in the Ultravan community seem to favor upgrading to SBC power. Well, that’s the rank-and-file. The hardline orthodox types demand purity — even at the cost of staying in the far right lane, forever.
booya…kinda like driving a vw microbus with less reliability
An awesome project. I hope whoever purchases it knows what he’s getting into and knows how to go about cleaning things up and restoring this rare rig, or possibly restomodding it. $4500 sounds rather steep given its condition. I’d get it off the seller’s hands for 1/2 that amount.
IIRC An episode of American Pickers had one of these . I don’t think they bought it.
Asking price too high. I agree with the person who said half the asking (or less)
would be appropriate for the amount of work involved.
This was shown on american pickers show they were real interested in it why didnt you sell it to them its a sharp vehicle!!!
Imo, Chevy mssed the mark. I’ll stick to Winnies.
Only the engine is Chevy.
Strange vehicle. What’s with the single tail light. No rear camera? How do you see what’s behind you? They must have moved like a snail, resting every 20 minutes before moving on for 10 more minutes. Again very strange vehicle.
Very near me, if anyone wants a look by someone who first worked on a Corvair when they were new. Have never done anything with one of the Ultravan types, but mechanically they used sedan or van/pickup parts.
alan, back in the day an hvac company had a small fleet of corvair vans and i remember if you got held up by one of those poor,overloaded,smoking vehicles, you had a slow ride ahead.
Do tell us more? U are referring to the hvac vehicles/corvair vans?
This is a very unique motorhome! I would love to own this. It sorta looks like a Fiat Multipla mixed with a 1970s GMC Motorhome.
If you’ve never seen one don’t knock it, actually are pretty cool and they aren’t as slow as you think. These were built in Hutchinson Ks and for a while one of my college jobs was at Stuckey Marine where we hand laid in fiberglass the front outside overhead panel, both sides headlight and taillight panels. Hot itchy work but it was work. Did this about 4 months then I think a company started doing them with a chopper gun and Mr Stuckey said we’re out of this.