Criterion gone to hell!

[Richard Vyse]

Man does my heart skip a beat when looking at this monster. Appears very very rough but anything is possible with time and money, mostly money. I snagged this from another site and not sure where it is possibly in PA.
Anyone have any leads and is it possible to restore?

Richard

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i277/RichardV_2006/3465739327_375bf0defd_b.jpg

[Paul Steinberg]

I know where it is, and Terri is offering me a lot of money not to tell you. What amount are you offering for the information? :rolleyes:

[Richard Vyse]

I know where it is, and Terri is offering me a lot of money not to tell you. What amount are you offering for the information? :rolleyes:

How about a couple coney dogs? :D

Richard

[John ED Renstrom]

taint noting at all. get drop it off 10 and your lifliner it will be new again. ;)
you keep the stuff in the back of yours and throw in the old tires.

[Charles E Snyder, II]

I've seen this one before and if my memory is correct, it is in Milton, PA which is about the middle of the state just south of Williamsport.

What I find the most interesting about this ambulance is the lights on the front fenders. I haven't seen it done like that before and it looks odd to me. I like the look... it's just odd.

[John ED Renstrom]

I have a picture of a CB done that way to. I would think it would be hard to drive at night. with the lights flashing you eyes. but maybe the pointy end of the grimes light is dark

[Tony Karsnia]

This was the last thing I expected to see in this condition. This very car was my beloved 1974 Criterion that I bought from Garfield County Ambulance Service in Jordan, Montana ca. 1994. Those of you who attended the 1998 PCS Meet in Burr Ridge, IL remember that I displayed this car along with 3 other '74 Criterions owned by friends of mine. (Shown in photo, second from left.)

I just spoke with Paul Stenberg, who confirmed the location as being that of the person I sold the car to 10 years ago.

The up-side is that I only sold the car to further my education, so the money I got for it was put to good use. I never imagined I'd see the car "thrown out" like this.:(

http://www.postimage.org/PquDcb0.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PquDcb0)

[Dwayne Brooks]

What a shame to see a coach that looked fantastic only 10 years ago in this condition today. I never understood how people can buy a classic such as this & leave it sit outside & rot away. There's a guy around the corner from my parent's house in New Albany who was a big shot at Budweiser in Columbus, he bought up show cars back in the 1980's... long story short they're ALL sitting in his driveway & yard rotting away. Included in his collection is a chopped 1950 Mercury lead sled, 1940 Ford (50's custom), model A streetrod, and several others... sitting outside in ROWS! My heart drops every time I pass. If you stop he'll yell at you, but i'm going to anyway & take some pix before getting ran off! Sounds like Richard is on a quest for this Criterion! Good luck with a possible purchase?

[Richard Vyse]

What I find the most interesting about this ambulance is the lights on the front fenders. I haven't seen it done like that before and it looks odd to me. I like the look... it's just odd.

Opps, I did not read all the posts and see Ed said the same thing.

One would think it might be a bit difficult to drive with emergency lights flashing that are mounted on the front fenders!

Richard

[Richard Vyse]

I have a picture of a CB done that way to. I would think it would be hard to drive at night. with the lights flashing you eyes. but maybe the pointy end of the grimes light is dark

Three beacons on the roof, WOW!

Richard

[Richard Vyse]

Sounds like Richard is on a quest for this Criterion! Good luck with a possible purchase?

If only it were true. I prefer a Criterion and ALWAYS have my eyes open for a possibility. This would be a great challenge and we'll see how it goes.

Richard

[Richard Vyse]

Looking at Walt's book could the one pictured on the cover be the same Criterion that has gone to hell!

Richard

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i277/RichardV_2006/51q6kA01WpL.jpg

[Tony Karsnia]

Guess I was so distraught when I made my first post, I gave inaccurate information about the fleet photo. My (former) car...this car...is the second front right as you're looking at the picture.

It is the same car pictured on the cover of Walt's book. That photo was taken within minutes of the fleet shot.

I am currently attempting to contact the gentleman I sold the car to...

As for the hood-mounted Grimes lights; those came off of a 1974 Lifeliner (one of two custom-ordered by Murphy Ambulance Service in St. Cloud, MN.) When the cars were in service, a few strips of black tape was used on the rear inner ends of the lenses, eliminating the "lights in the driver's eyes at night" problem. Since I never drove the car at night with the reds on, I never worried about covering the rear part of the lenses.

[Paul Steinberg]

Were those lights mounted on the fenders or the hood? Thanks

[Richard Vyse]

Guess I was so distraught when I made my first post, I gave inaccurate information about the fleet photo. My (former) car...this car...is the second front right as you're looking at the picture. It is the same car pictured on the cover of Walt's book. That photo was taken within minutes of the fleet shot.

I thought so. The color kind of gave it away. Best of Luck Tony!

Richard

[Tony Karsnia]

The lights were mounted to the hood, between the edge and the center "dome."

Murphy's '74 Lifeliners had a special instruction affixed to the dashboard:

"Close Hood Gently"

[John ED Renstrom]

you guys are giving up on it way to soon. truth is one would have to go look at see what was there or not. if it is still a running car with the interior in decent shape glass is all there. then it's fix a little rust and paint it. granted it's a little more then you did on the lifeliner but not much on more on the out side. most of what your looking at is heavy surface rust. the bottom edge of the center door is rusted out but the quarters look OK as does the fender and hood what you can see. no I think it would be a steel at 100 bucks to 1000. if you wanted it. you could turn around a sell the lights off it for that.

[Brendan Martin]

There is another coach on ebay right now in Pembroke Massachusetts, which also I believe is a Miller-Meteor, and it too is in bad shape. It's a shame. The one in Pembroke is about an hour from me.

[Brady D Smith]

I remember that car from Burr Ridge. What a shame. It is all there so it could be saved but it is not a car for the faint of heart.

[Steve Lichtman]

Oh, that really is a shame. It was nice to see that car when it was Tony's in Burr Ridge. Amazing that the years have taken such a toll on it.

[Russell Dalziel]

I have a picture of a CB done that way to. I would think it would be hard to drive at night. with the lights flashing you eyes. but maybe the pointy end of the grimes light is dark

Tony Can You Tell me where I can get 6 Side/tunnel Lights like what is On the Dykstra C+B

Looks like a Michigan Car

Thanks

Russ

[Tony Karsnia]

Russ,

I don't believe those lights were among the factory offerings on the (Wayne Corp.) Olds and Cadillac ambulances. This car, as well as the Mall City Lifeliner, probably came off the line with no side lights and received this type of light later as an add-on.

The standard side lights for Miller-Meteors and Cotner/Bevingtons of this era were the round "tunnel" lights, which were also used on the Wayne Chevrolet Vanguard, Dodge Medicruiser, and Care-O-Van rigs.

[Richard Vyse]

Keep us informed Tony on your adventure to re-aquire this Criterion. I would love to see more pictures of this rig both inside and out.

Richard

[Dwayne Brooks]

Tony I found another pic of your beloved Criterion on the Northland PCS website! here it is:
http://www.northlandpcs.com/images/Events/1998international/CriterionsW.jpg

[Richard Vyse]

Tony I found another pic of your beloved Criterion on the Northland PCS website! here it is:
http://www.northlandpcs.com/images/Events/1998international/CriterionsW.jpg

Makes a grown man weep!!!!!:(

Richard

[Russell Dalziel]

Russ,

I don't believe those lights were among the factory offerings on the (Wayne Corp.) Olds and Cadillac ambulances. This car, as well as the Mall City Lifeliner, probably came off the line with no side lights and received this type of light later as an add-on.

The standard side lights for Miller-Meteors and Cotner/Bevingtons of this era were the round "tunnel" lights, which were also used on the Wayne Chevrolet Vanguard, Dodge Medicruiser, and Care-O-Van rigs.

Thanks Tony.
I knew that the round tunnels were factory. But unsure of the Square style.
These Lights were popular in Michigan I know of Several companies that had them. Mall City. Delong. Bud's. Dykstra.
Thanks Again Tony for the Great Info

Russ

[Tony Karsnia]

I once owned both of those '74 Criterions. Sold the red one to Jeff Stanton, who has since moved it on to a new home in Wisconsin.

The photo Dwayne posted was taken in the driveway of our Grand Avenue funeral home just prior to departure for the 1998 PCS Int'l Meet in Burr Ridge.

[John Royark JR]

I once owned both of those '74 Criterions. Sold the red one to Jeff Stanton, who has since moved it on to a new home in Wisconsin.

The photo Dwayne posted was taken in the driveway of our Grand Avenue funeral home just prior to departure for the 1998 PCS Int'l Meet in Burr Ridge.

Tony,
Was the red Criterion from Grundy Center, Iowa?

[Tony Karsnia]

You are correct, John. I bought that car directly from the Grundy Center Fire Dept. in 1997.

[John Royark JR]

You are correct, John. I bought that car directly from the Grundy Center Fire Dept. in 1997.

I thought so. I lived in Grundy Center when I was between 5 and 10, and I remember this car (or one just like it) at the F.D. and in parades. Its hard to beleive I remember things that long ago, but cant remember what I did yesterday:eek:

[Richard Vyse]

Its hard to beleive I remember things that long ago, but cant remember what I did yesterday:eek:

Join the club my man, it is only the beginning.

Richard

[Jay Carollo]

That Criterion spent a lot of it's life at Roger Moody's Mobil station-Moody must have been connected with the fire department as he was also a place to get your fire extinguishers recharged. I know of many folks while in getting a brake job or tune-up had to wait while there was an ambulance call. Frankly, I always got the impression Roger cared more for the ambulance service than the service station!

[Richard Vyse]

I know there was a movement to get this Criterion but did that ever happen?

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i277/RichardV_2006/3465739327_375bf0defd_b.jpg

[LeeAnn Boston]

Richard, it has your name written ALL over it!!!

[Paul Steinberg]

I do like the look of the Ful-Views on the fenders. I wonder if they will flash in your eyes when driving....... :confused:

[Doug House]

I think we should form the PCS SWAT Team. Let's gear up, pull a midnight raid, and rescue that old girl. No Judge would ever convict us....especially if we showed him or her Tony's "before" pictures.

What a beauty she was. Maybe she can be again. Best of luck, Tony. I'm cheering for you.

[Charles E Snyder, II]

I think we should form the PCS SWAT Team. Let's gear up, pull a midnight raid, and rescue that old girl. No Judge would ever convict us....especially if we showed him or her Tony's "before" pictures.I like that idea Doug!

[Richard Vyse]

I would love a set of full-vues for mine and there are many more things I would like from this Criterion. At this point I do not think I will be doing anything to my Criterion except work on it. I like it like it is and I like the colors as well.

[Doug House]

Tony, if you make contact with the person (or should I say "criminal") who has your former Criterion now, please see if he will loan us the driver's side speaker mount. Richard and I both need one, and John says he will have copies molded.

I'll buy the guy a big box of beer for his trouble.

[Tony Karsnia]

I am still working on (a) getting the entire car back, or (b) being able to part it out. In either case, you guys will be the first to know if parts become available.

This guy might have more beer than he can drink before this is over...:eek:

[Richard Vyse]

Tony, if you make contact with the person (or should I say "criminal") who has your former Criterion now, please see if he will loan us the driver's side speaker mount. Richard and I both need one, and John says he will have copies molded.

I'll buy the guy a big box of beer for his trouble.

John sold me a couple angled mounts last year for the Lifeliner but found out the one I used for the driver's side was indeed a right side mount. In preivous posts I explained how I had to gring it down then shim it. So a fresh mold would be appreciated so this can be done. Video explains it all in the beginning.

Richard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcEXkhjFMVQ