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NASA crew transfer Van

This is a Clark Cortez that was used to shuttle the astronauts to the launch pad. This photo was taken by me when we were at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida in 1991. It sits in a room which is quite dark, so a good picture is hard to take. It looks like a 1964 model. I thought I had taken a picture of the interior, but if I did I cannot find it. I will describe it instead.

There is one single seat for the driver. There is another matching single seat (in front) for one passenger. I vaguely remember some kind of bulkhead right behind the two front seats. In the rear, there are 2 long bench seats on either side of the center walkway. In this picture, you notice a large grille on the side. There is one just like it on the other side. A ventilation system was installed behind each of these grilles. The purpose was to pump fresh air from the exterior to the interior of the coach. The astronauts, who would be riding in the Cortez with full space suit gear on, needed this ventilation system to keep cool.

If you are so inclined, watch the movie "Capricorn One" starring Elliott Gould, James Brolin, Hal Holbrook and O.J. Simpson. The Cortez shows up in the first minutes of the movie for less than a minute total. If you watch closely, you will see a NASA insignia on the rear side of the coach which does not match the above picture. Added by the movie people no doubt.

There is yet another movie which has a Kent Cortez in it somewhere as a broadcast vehicle. I think the movie is "Switching Channels." I will find out soon to be sure of the title.

Capricorn One is a good movie even without the Clark Cortez in it. (So now I am a movie critic as well)


Next Cortez is owned by the Chances' in California.

Cortez'n Homepage!