Dear Museum Lers:

The museum I work for has an opportunity to purchase a
historic vehicle that we intend to convert into a "traveling
artifact program."  Before I describe our potential
purchase, I would like to pose the questions I have for the
list:

Does anyone out there have a traveling program they use for
programs/outreach in which they utilize a vehicle?
Is anyone out there using an "historic" vehicle foroutreach?
What are some of the benefits of using a vehicle for museum
programs/outreach outside the museum?  Problems?
If you are utilizing a vehicle for outreach, how are you
storing that vehicle when not in use?
Aside from insurance, maintenance, and fuel, what are some
other costs involved in your traveling program?

The reason I am asking these questions is that the Reno
County Museum in Hutchinson, Kansas has been offered an
"Ultra Van" for a reasonable price from a very reputable van
owner.  Ultra Vans were constructed in Hutchinson between
1966-1970 after being designed by a fellow in California in
1959.  What makes the Ultra Van Unique is that it is built
using an aluminum frame--not a steel chassis.  It also
employs a corvair engine (designed circa 1960) so it more
resembles an airplane construction than an automobile.  What
attracted the company to Hutchinson was that our city once
had a naval air station, thus there was an easily
convertible manufacturing area and a population familiar
with aircraft/aircraft engines (nearby Wichita is the
headquarters for Boeing.)  The Ultra Van was touted to be
the top of the line recreational vehicle in its day.  It was
nicknamed tthe "Whale on Wheels" for its unique design.  The
company, unfortunately, did not make a profit (for too many
reasons to go into here) and the design wasvastly altered by
1970.  The company left Hutchinson in 1974 and is now
defunct.

The van we would like to purchase will not fit into our
museum for permanent exhibition (we are housed in a
converted insurance building and could not even get the van
into our doors.)  However, we do have storage that is
readily avilable and easily accessed by staff.   We want to
make some minor modifications to the interior of the vehicle
for use as a traveling program that we could use for
schools, community events, parades, outreach to nearby
communities, etc.  In this program we would like to
interpret technology, business, design, the relationship
between aircraft & vehicles, why the van was built localy,
etc.  The interpretive possibilities are tremendous.

Some other points to consider:  The van is in good
condition, needs only minor repair, parts are readily
available, and there is a support network already in place.
The Ultra Van Motor Coach Club boasts more than 300 members
and produces a quarterly newsletter.  Each yea they hold a
rally and typically more than 100 members participate.
So, with all this in mind, would you please take a moment to
answer my questions from the beginning of the post. Thank
you very much for your help.  Please reply off list to
<[log in to unmask]>.

Jay Smith, Executive Director
Reno County Museum
Hutchinson, Kansas