Whenever we get an update
we would like to show you around a different members Camper
Van.
The vehicle doesn't have to be Concours,
as many of the vans are working vehicles, used regularly,
and will show the stresses and strains of good wholesome
family use. Very few are exactly the same, as they become
personalized by their owners over the years If you would
like your van featured, please send some clear photos or
scans of the your Van and cover any points of interest. Send
them to the Club Secretary or e mail them to me along with
your write up.
This
time we take a look at a
1967
Clark Cortez
owned
by Pat & Mike Bull of Vancouver Canada.
The "Cortez" was designed in the late 'fifties' as a mobile
office
however, the maker believed there was a vast market for a
'recreational
home on wheels' and produced this very early motorhome in
the USA
commencing in 1963..and losing money on every unit made due
to the high
cost quality materials used to manufacture it. The Cortez
cost as much
as a small new house and as a result was only bought by
wealthy people
in California and Arizona. It won many awards for its design
and
efficiency and road handling. Powered by the indestructible
Chrysler
slant 6 engine with a four speed gear-box the Cortez ran at
60 mph and
gave 16 mpg. At 19 feet long and a full 8 feet wide, with a
6 foot four
head-room there was plenty of room for 5 to sleep
comfortably.
This unit comes with a 3 burner hob, oven, fridge, h.w.
heater,
blown-air furnace, air conditioning, awning, flush toilet,
shower, hot
water, fresh water tank, waste tank, water pump, drivers
door, passenger door, rear entry door, a ride as nice as a
motor car and great visibility through large windows, and
the rear door.
Other standard features included a folding entry step, front
wheel drive
for better road handling during high winds, and better
traction in snow.
Powersteering, power brakes, made driving ease even better.
This Club member unit has its original interior which is
"as new"
condition so nothing inside has been changed which makes
this Cortez very
interesting to view and popular with other campers when on
site.
There is a Cortez Owners Club in the USA and most owners do
join that
Club which offers a source for parts, repair advice and sale
of members units
when that time may come. The Clark Cortez was built from
1963 until 1969
by the Clark Equipment Co of Michigan who still are the
largest
manufacturer of Fork Lift vehicles.
If you ever go to the Nasa Space Centre in Florida look for
A Clark
Cortez
on display. It was used to transfer the Astronauts to the
launch pad.
