Check out these photos for sale on eBay for a maybe even earlier
version of "L'Universelle?"
(not a Mini-van but it is something or other...)

http://cgi.ebay.com/GMC-L-Universelle-Predecessor-Concept-Photo-
Lot_W0QQitemZ220011121739QQcmdZViewItem
or http://tinyurl.com/gd8kk

Dave Richoux

On Aug 1, 2006, at 12:45 PM, Jake de Villiers wrote:

> I beg to differ. The Chevrolet Greenbrier, based on the Corvair
> platform and wearing sheet metal very similar to that in your pix,
> was produced as a van, passenger van and as a pickup with fold-down
> sides just like a Type 2. Imitation IS the sincerest form of flattery.
>
> http://www.mkellstrand.com/corvairs/my_64brier.html
>
> Jake
>
> On 8/1/06, David Richoux <tubaman@tubatoast.com> wrote:The GM
> "L'Universelle"  was never produced, but it was mocked-up or
> prototyped in 1955 - word was they reversed engineered a VW
> Transporter best they could...
> Mid-front engine, front wheel drive!
>
> http://www.gmphotostore.com/prodinfo.asp?number=53217233
> http://66.34.72.138/gallery/image/3097.JPG
> http://66.34.72.138/gallery/image/3096.JPG
>