The Fourth UltraVan

The fourth UltraVan was specially built by Dave Peterson for use as a mobile showroom for the Prescolite lighting fixture company. Prescolite took over UltraVan production in the Spring of 1963, but according to Peterson's notes this coach was built before their management. Serial number 4 is registered as a 1963 model.

Externally #4 is very similar to its immediate predecessor: 24 feet long, stepvan windshields, Chevy pickup bumpers, ornamental dually wheels, no tow hitches, Econoline headlights, and Falcon taillights (this was the last coach to use the Falcon taillights).

#4 was originally equipped with a 1962 80 hp Corvair engine, but with 13 inch wheels and "the lowest gear ratio available" the coach was reported to have excellent performance.

No records of #4's original commercial display van configuration have been located, but small rectangular hatches still exist at the top of the driver's side body that covered sockets for an awning setup. Inside it has the same molded fibergass canopy over the front seats that is found in all 1960-1970 UltraVans (except for #101, #103, & #202), unique riveted aluminum interior wall paneling, and Prescolite lighting fixtures throughout.

It is unclear how long Prescolite used the coach for its original purpose, and initial ownership records are sketchy. Dave Peterson's notes from 1964 and 1965 show the names Homer Gray of Mill Valley CA and James Pearson of Modesto CA (although it seems Pearson may actually have owned coach #11) - but his customer card index lists only Larry Bennett of Santa Rosa CA and Albert Brown of Red Bluff CA.

Murray & Bettye Fisher of Walla Walla WA bought the coach from "a California dentist" in 1973. Murray removed an engine driven split air conditioner, fabricated a hollow subfloor with integral wiring and heating ducts, lowered the angled front floor to flat/flush, installed swiveling high-back Mustang bucket seats, and built an elaborate full-width dash featuring a Corvair Corsa instrument panel and shifter.

Murray also installed a large plexiglas window in the entry door, cut out the rear window (over the trunk) and installed a much larger one, added a bathroom window, replaced the large kitchen window with a smaller one, added clearance lights, and outfitted the coach with a striking cream and yellow-gold metallic paint scheme (previously it had been a light green color).

Unlike the first, second, and fifth UltraVans, #4 has removable water, waste, and fuel tanks. It is not known whether it was originally built this way or if this is another of Murray's upgrades.

William & Henrietta Reed of Post Falls ID owned the coach next (1985-1988), followed by Phil & Yvonne Street of Pendleton OR (1988-2013). Phil replaced the original motor with a new one built by Lon Wall (operator of the Corvair Underground, and onetime owner of UltraVan #420).

When Craig & Lea Lamond of Portland OR (2013-2016) acquired the coach, it had extensive water and rodent damage, mold, & rot. Craig had hoped to restore the coach to its original configuration, but as he gutted out the interior to remove all the damaged wood, insulation, wallpaper, and upholstery he realized that the earlier changes and lack of documentation would make that a nearly impossible task.

Current owners Tim and Loyce Ericson of Gaston OR intended to convert the coach to a thoroughly modern RV, and since they didn't need the old Corvair powertrain, they asked Craig to remove it. A trailer axle was bolted to the rear of the coach to aid in moving it around.

Tim and Loyce have recently decided to offer the coach for sale.

A collection of Craig's photos of #4 from 2013 can be seen here: http://imgur.com/a/JlQVA/all