The Rare UltraVan

A Brief History

Back in the fifties, what did one do when you had both trailer and boat to tow? That’s the dilemma Dave Peterson faced every time he wanted to go on vacation with both his Spartan trailer and boat at the same time.  Peterson an aircraft designer, at Beech and Boeing, dreamed of motorizing the trailer, so he could tow his boat. The idea was to put the motor in the rear under the bed, design it low to the ground with a flat floor, have an unobstructed forward view with seating for four and insulate it well for winter use. A true, Class “A” rig, just 22 feet long, over 8 feet wide with more than 6 feet of headroom. In this rig you can really rise from the seat and walk into the living area in a standing position, one of the true tests of a Class ‘A’ motorhome.

When General Motors announced the Corvair in 1959, the power-package was just what Peterson needed for his dream. Living in California, in the fall of 1960 (a year after the Corvair was introduced), he rented a large garage and four months later, the “Go-Home” as the first Ultras were named, rolled out with its 80 horsepower, 140 cubic inch engine. Soon he was asked if he could build more. Using a unique technical school apprentice program, Peterson and his students built around 15 early Ultra Vans which were advertised for under $7,000.

Eventually, the “Corvette” Ultra Van emerged with a reverse facing Chevy small-block 307 water-cooled engine in the rear coupled to a two-speed aluminum case PowerGlide. The transmission outputs to a marine “V” drive, which in turn drives the Corvette rear-axle, complete with rear-disc brakes, providing independent rear suspension similar to the original Corvair-powered Ultra.

Ultra made 47 of the V-8 Corvette coaches called the 500 series, beginning with #510, first shown at a national motorhome rally in 1969 at Traverse City, Michigan, along with the new Tiara. In a market where mass produced motorhomes could be bought for under $10,000, the end was inevitable and in June 1970 production ceased. Corvette enthusiasts have yet to realize how rare the remaining 40 or so V-8 powered Ultra Vans are. Car shows and cruise nights always bring much crowd interest and many questions, so recognition by the “Corvette Crowd” is just a matter of time.

Every time we see a lumbering old RV or pass-by a current monster basement model (often towing a “dinghy car” which Ultra Vanners don’t need, as an Ultra will go just about anywhere and fit in a regular parking spot), it is cause for a thank-you to the genius responsible for our wonderful little Ultra Van Motor Coach. “Thanks again, Dave.”