Hello all! I am a first time RV owner and I decided to get an RV mostly from an interest in the vehicles, and to act as a spare room for when I go to a university. An interest in towing a vehicle around was also in this. I found a 1968 Clark Cortez for a grand in a tow yard, sold as is with some minor problems like non-op brakes and a dead fuel pump (which I discovered 4 blocks from the site of purchase -- AAA was involved).
Just took her around the block for the first time after 2 months of an and off spot repairs. Doesn't handle for much, need to fix some front suspension issues, but... she went around the block at long last!
I'm curious if there are any other Cortez owners on this forum, and if they can direct me to any literature like owner manuals or sources for them! I'm running blind and getting close to waiting until I have a garage and taking it completely apart and rebuilding it just to figure out which wires go where!
Any other help with resources to work on this old beast would be greatly appreciated. I do not have the first idea on where to get the ammonia fridge recharged/repaired, nor what range gauge to get for the clear water tank, or if the black water tank even *had* a level indicator... and as I'm posting here, this is my first RV
As I work on her I'll be able to offer some services to repair these vehicles for other people, as I am a mechanic, just lacking any literature! Thanks for any help or advice on the ownership of this RV!
"Iron Falcon" 1968 Clark Cortez
-- Steampunk Art Conversion Canidate, Spare Bedroom
Yahoo has a very extensive Cortez Owner's Group with much info there including owner's manuals on CD's for sale.
I used to service the Cortez about 30 years ago and I would love to someday restore one.
Does yours have the Chrysler slant-6 or the Oldsmobile Toranado front-end?
Steve
2007 Springdale 291RKL
2003 F150 King Ranch
2001 Dodge Van w/Wheelchair Ramp
1991 Palomino Mustang PUP
Eureka Timberline Tent
Yamaha IF2400isc
Yamaha EF3000iSEBC "Politically Incorrect And Proud Of It"
I can give you a couple of places to look for some assistance. First Yahoo has a autos groups forum called cortezmotorhomes. Forums are always quite useful, this forum has a lot Cortez owners exchanging information.
The other site is http://www.stormpages.com/cortezer/cortezn.htm it has a lot of information on the Cortez's as well.
Hope this helps.
Congratulations on your new RV and Happy RVing
RVing Al
"Your knowledge is an asset that should be shared with others, so pay it forward"
Hold on to it. The Clark Cortez motorhomes are scarce and are snapped up by guys who like to restore them to their former glory. Interesting history, including the one used by NASA for 30 years to transport the Apollo astronauts to the launch pad!
javaseuf wrote: Yahoo has a very extensive Cortez Owner's Group with much info there including owner's manuals on CD's for sale.
Does yours have the Chrysler slant-6 or the Oldsmobile Toranado front-end?
That's the "Indestructible leaning tower of firebreathing power" to you, sir
HAHAHA... Man, I really got interested in one of these when I found out they were slant six powered, but it seems the price has been driven up a lot by collectors, who pay big bucks for anything they find.
Maybe I'll luck out someday and find one cheap... That little six can get quite a few more horsepower... and turbocharging has become somewhat of a pastime for the enthusiasts lately. That little six weighs more than a small block chevy for ford, and that's becuase there's a LOT of forged steel and iron inside it.
I saw my very first one many years ago on a drive through... Cortez, Colorado. I thought they were funny looking, but knew nothing at all about them.
The Cortez guys are pretty fanatical about keeping them on the road, share loads of information and a desire to keep them on the road. You'll be in good company.
Congratulations on finding something amazingly unique and ... neat, too.
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Mopars forever... Not German, Japanese, Chinese...American Mopars!
The price of freedom is higher than the price of slavery, but it's still a bargain!
fordsooperdootydieselsmoker wrote: Hold on to it. The Clark Cortez motorhomes are scarce and are snapped up by guys who like to restore them to their former glory. Interesting history, including the one used by NASA for 30 years to transport the Apollo astronauts to the launch pad!
fordsooperdootydieselsmoker wrote: Hold on to it. The Clark Cortez motorhomes are scarce and are snapped up by guys who like to restore them to their former glory. Interesting history, including the one used by NASA for 30 years to transport the Apollo astronauts to the launch pad!
Thanks everyone for your help! I've since combed through the archives a bit more and joined the owners group for the Cortez. Tons of information out there. She has the dependable slant 6 in her, which unfortunately has some minor issues that need fixing (gaskets, timing adjustment, etc). I've changed over my work to the inside again to try and get organized enough to start the next series of major repairs for camping worthiness, which are all centered around the hot water system and its leaky heater!
Unfortunately as things go I'm going to need to strip the whole interior out to get access to the inside of the roof; all of the bolts for the cargo pod add-in are leaking and rusty, and the roof itself is having major rust issues along the seams. I've discovered I'm not much of a bodyman after looking through some of the repairs needed. Its also in my mind to want to reinforce the roof a bit for some added weight of a generator and/or AC (although I may just convert the stock A/C to run on a D/C motor...)
Thanks again and so far I'm loving having the Cortez, even if right now its just my breakroom on wheels at work.
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