HotRodHarrys 1976 Radical Custom 70’s Van “NAUTILUS” – The Legend Lives On…
March 2017. My 126th vehicle owned – August 2017 bought it back!!! My 128th Vehicle Owned (the most recent photos uploaded are at bottom).
Here are some video’s… the newest 6-2017 “My Vans”
Video of our legendary custom van “Nautilus”…
Originally created by Rick Hooper back in the fall of 1975 to be one of the most famous Radical Custom Vans to grace 100’s of magazine’s through the years. They did some amazing work back back then. Resurrected and saved by Jim and Lucy Newkirk of Ohio from 2006 to 2009, thank God for people like them to keep the legend alive – we are eternally grateful. They had Greg “Coop” Cooper lay the amazing paint on in 2007 and 2008. Talk about talent… overflowing!!! Then to NY for a short stay in 2010 – onto California in 2011 and the next legendary owner Tom Chronister who created the infamous Deathstar Custom Van Back In the 1970’s. They had “Coop” redo some paint and body work and redid quite a few items on “Nautilus” to make it that much better and pay homage to its original look… as in new glass… etching..etc.
Tom also had the engine and trans rebuilt. Rebuilt 318 V8 with 340 heads that are still on from when Rick Hooper owned it – rebuilt 727 trans. Runs and Drives Amazing. Has some slight paint bubbles (paint is 11 years old now)… but still in amazing condition, always garaged.
Special thanks to…
Rick and Diane Hooper, Bill and Lucy Newkirk, Bill Hitz, Denny Smith, Tom and Heather Chronister, Greg “Coop” Cooper, Dennis Conko, Doug “Virual Vanner”, and especially Rick Hooper for creating such a cool van!
Now Its My Turn…
Check out more on the history with numerous photos thanks to www.showvans.com and www.vanning.com and Doug Virtual Vanner.
Here is a short video shot by Doug Virtual Vanner “NAUTILUS”
Here is a link to view the history and restoration of “Nautilus”
The Life Of A Legendary Custom 70’s Van
Once you’re on that page more links of the life of Nautilus are at the bottom of that page. Thank you!!!
(NOTE: photos below are more current the further down the page you go).
