One Of 3,211 Made: 1968 Clark Cortez
This 1968 Clark Cortez is one of a relatively small batch of motorhomes made by none other than a forklift company, featuring Chrysler-derived powerplants and clever packaging to make them one of the more desirable vintage coaches on the road today. In a sea of 1960s and 1970s-era motorhomes that aren’t particularly valuable today despite their undisputed “cool” factor, the Clark Cortez stands out as one that will still command a fair price despite likely being just as labor-intensive to maintain as any other Class A from this era. Said to run well with a rebuilt engine, the Cortez has just finished some pretty awesome globe-trotting according to the listing here on eBay.
The listing references an odometer reading of just 16,000, which seems quite low for a vehicle meant to travel far and wide. Perhaps the seller is using the mileage accumulated since the engine rebuild as a guide, but it’s not specified in the listing. The body looks laser-straight with good paint that isn’t perfect but also not so nice that you’re afraid to drive it. The Cortez is currently in Nevada and the seller claims it has been stored indoors in a desert climate for the past 10 years, which certainly helps to explain why rust doesn’t appear to be an issue.
The insides are nicely preserved, and the listing claims all of the original appliances still work. The Cortez has recently completed road trips to some iconic destinations in the western U.S., including the Salton Sea, Death Valley, and The Grand Canyon. It seems occupants would have been quite comfortable for the extent of that trip given the cleanliness and general order on display in the photos. The seller notes interior features include a fold-out dinette; two full-size beds; double-basin stainless steel sink; propane oven and stove; and a refrigerator.
The mechanical features aren’t listed beyond mentioning the Cortez (thankfully) comes with power steering. The refreshed drivetrain will certainly put novice RV’ers minds at ease as they climb up and down the mountainous regions of the United States, but I wonder just how far the Cortez will even travel under its next owner. So many of these preserved or restored vintage motorhomes become local curiosities, or parked at a winter home or beach community, rather than roaming free. However the next owner chooses to use it is fine with me, as minty examples like this are near impossible to find. Bidding is at $7,100 with the reserve unmet; the Buy-It-Now is $12,900.
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Comments
Very cool, but I’m, not seeing any rooftop A/C units, which in Death Valley (where it supposedly traveled last year) would not be cool at all.
😃I HAVE A 1969👍TRAVCO MDL 270,DODGE M300 CHAS,318 33000mi, INSTSALLING, 727 OVERDRIVE, HEADER’S & 4 BARREL,POWER STEARING,BRAKE’S, INTERIOR XLENT😎
I think these are the perfect size motorhome. Kind of low profile, Chrysler guts. I’m curious about the front drive. Apparently, it was modeled from a Clark forklift. And the Sun tach with a 2500 redline has me wondering, maybe it’s a diesel? My only problem is it’s named after one of the biggest scum bags in history. I believe he single handedly brutally wiped out the Aztecs, and claimed Mexico for himself. Same old thing, 156 watchers and no bids. Gonna have to lower their sites a bit.
These came with a Chrysler slant six, 4 speed manual transmission and FWD. My brother in law had one (not sure of the year) and it would do 20 MPH on any kind of mountain driving.
I know Clark used the Chrysler industrial flathead six in forklifts and other equipment like airport tugs – – I don’t recall ever seeing a slant six in any of them…..the 2500 RPM redline would seem more in line with an industrial flathead than a slant six.
I read, ’63 -’68 Cortez motorhomes used a 225 slant 6. In ’69, they switched to Ford 302’s. In 1970, Clark sold the motorhome business and in 1971, they switched to Olds 455’s and Toronado front drive with automatics.
Love the nobody-known motor home. Front grille looks like a window AC unit from an ancient apt. I once rented! Real classy….
Soul of a Seeker
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCze3_Vna_VOUh_q-kJZvaMQ
is restoring one on YouTube
isn’t this the ‘Breaking Bad’ model from the TV show? May B not (no TV here) that was a Win-a-Bagel? No:::
https://breakingbad.fandom.com/wiki/1986_Fleetwood_Bounder
oh well, not even close !
My fav is the Vixen (#1) right sized, then the GMC (the shortie).This 1s short too…
This brings back some crazy memories, I was a Denver Firefighter for 31 years ,starting in the early 70’s. At that time we had one of these for emergency responses, it was cutting edge at the time. I am not sure and can’t remember how we got it exactly, but it was some kind of a Fedral Grant and there were certainly strings attached. I think the idea was, for a response involving any sort of problem caused by radiation (the bomb). I have to laugh now, of what a joke it was, but to our credit we pretty much knew that anyway. There was nothing in it except for benches for the crew to sit on and practiclly no equipment ,other than some gieger counters, I don’t even remember any type of protective clothing. It really was a joke but anytime we could find some excuse we would take it out for a drive, it was flashy, it was painted bright yellow. As I remember, when we did get it out , it broke down allott.