|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Ultra Van Motor home to GMC Motor home history [message #251809 is a reply to message #251778] |
Mon, 09 June 2014 07:39   |
Owen
Messages: 44
Registered: January 2008
Location: KS
Karma: 0
|
Member |
|
|
UltraVan designer Dave Peterson tried to get several different manufacturers to build the Ultra including GM, FMC, and even McDonnell Douglas. There is an interesting letter in Peterson's archives from GM President Ed Cole, dated January 7, 1972. It was a response to Peterson's inquiry about availability of the GM Wankel engine, but in it Mr. Cole mentions "I very well recall seeing the Corvair-Powered Ultra Van motor home which you brought to the GM Executive Garage in 1962. It was one of the most unique and well-engineered configurations which I have ever seen."
BTW, there is also a draft copy of the letter that Peterson had sent to Cole, in which he mentions the 14 Toronado & 1 Eldorado conversions (RWD) that he had installed into stock UVs.
The GMC of course has very similar dimensions to the UV, 8' high & 8' wide with rounded sides. But other than size and the use of aluminum, there appears to be little direct relationship.
The 1969-1972 Tiara is a much closer relative to the GMC, with a flat driver's platform over the engine, bonded aluminum construction, and FWD Toronado power. Tiara was a follow-on motorhome designed by the head engineer at the plant in Kansas that had been manufacturing UltraVans. But there is no known connection between GM & the Tiara.
Safe travels,
Owen
Owen in KS
1969 UltraVan #500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GMCforum
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
