Station wagon ambulances

[Steve Loftin]

This thread will be for cars whose primary function was as an ambulance. Some fire and police department wagons as well as funeral home service cars carried folding stretchers and could be pressed into ambulance service if necessary; let's save photos of those for a different thread. Let's get started:

Myers Mortuary (Wewoka, OK)
1962 Chevrolet
The siren was bent backwards when it hit a low canopy (note the flat
mounting base, along with the damaged faceplate). You can see that the beacon dome is broken as well. The incident happened long after they exited the ambulance business (she was used for first calls into the late 1980s). This car had a three-on-the-tree transmission.

The '72 Vista Cruiser was puchased new by the City of Helena, OK after the Fossett F.H. announced it would discontinue its ambulance service. When Kenny Lanman bought the firm in the late 1970s, he again offered ambulance service. He used this car as a backup to his '69 S&S hightop. The wagon was turned back over to the city (with around 30,000 miles on it) after he bought a new Wheeled Coach/Chevy Suburban hightop in 1980.

The '70 Vista Cruiser was owned by Smith's in Sapulpa, OK. It had a #28 and two small red flashers behind the grille, in addition to the Visibar.

Mallett's in Wagoner, OK owned this '64 Chevy with a Gordon K. Allen Co. (Superior dealership in Dallas) ambulance conversion.

Luginbuel's in Vinita, OK had two of these '75 Custom Cruisers. This one had power windows and locks as well as cruise/tilt. The other one, used by their firm in nearby Pryor (Harris F.H.), had crank windows, manual locks, and no cruise/tilt.

(SL photos)

[Steve Loftin]

1965 Ford/Summers - G.W.C.F.H., Pryor, OK
1965 Ford/Gordon Allen - Ninde F.H., Jenks, OK

(SL photos)

1959 Ford/local conversion - Jim Green F.H., Pryor, OK
1964 Ford/ " - "
Note the four Carpenter Wig-Wag lights on the '59; two were blue, two red.

(JGFH photos)

[Steve Loftin]

We should probably include sedan delivery ambulances in this thread as they are a close relative of the station wagon. Stretched wagons and deliveries, however, as well as those with raised roofs, qualify as standard limousine-style ambulances and should be posted to the appropriate threads. That said...

Wilson F.H. (Pond Creek, OK)
1957 Mercury Commuter
(old WFH postcard)

Lucas F.H. (Hurst, TX)
1952 Ford Courier sedan delivery
(note the Federal BR-2 flasher at the center of the roof)

Sidmon F.H. (Kansas City, MO)
1959 Ford Country Sedan
(from a matchbook cover)

Hough F.H. (Morrisonville, IL)
1967 Buick Sport Wagon
(SL photo)

[Steve Loftin]

Allen Cook Chevrolet was a dealership in Winnsboro, TX that offered station wagon ambulance conversions for a couple of years in the 1960s. Here is one of their ads; this one, from the March, 1963 issue of Morticians of The Southwest magazine.

What interested me most about this ad was that they were also a Ferno and Federal dealer. That's really all it took to equip most funeral home ambulances of the period...a #54-L stetcher and a #11 auxiliary cot as well as red lights and siren*. Many funeral home ambulances (in this part of the country, anyway) in 1963 didn't have two-way radios. Most operators supplied their own oxygen (if they carried it) and first aid supplies.

That's the way it was...

*The 1963 Chevrolet shown (Dudley Hughes F.H., Dallas, TX) sports what was the most popular warning system in this part of the country back then; four Do-Ray lollipops, a #17 beacon, and a Q2B whistle. I don't remember seeing ANY of these cars with an upgraded electrical system! An "uptown" conversion of the time would've also had curtains and rear window insignias.

[Steve Loftin]

Here's another wagon conversion ad:

[Anthony J. Rzucidlo]

The Detroit Police Department (Michigan) provided ambulance service in Detroit from 1961 through 1973 when the present EMS operations started in 1972. Detroit utilized Dodge, Plymouth and in the end Ford station wagons for this purpose. The were equipped with two folding stretchers,blankets and pillows and that's about it. When not required for medical transportation, the "wagons" were used for patrol activities. They were painted and marked the same as regular sedan patrol cars or as they were called in Detroit "scout cars."

The then Dearborn Township Fire Department (Michigan) present day Dearborn Heights Fire back in the ealry 1960's converted a couple of Ford Fairlane station wagons into ambulances. They both had two junior becon rays mounted on the roof and the highbeam headlights were red alternating lights. The rear windows on the wagons were frosted windows.

[Steve Loftin]

Owen F.H. (Sapulpa, OK)
1956 Ford

(OFH photo)

McQuary A.S. (Oklahoma City, OK)
1947 Ford
It was common through the early 1960s for mothers and new babies to be brought home from the hospital in an ambulance. I'm guessing that not many operators were big enough to have a rig dedicated to just that service, as did this firm. A wicker bassinet, with blue and pink linens, was a common ambulance item back in the day.

(SL collection)

[Kent Dorsey]

Great thread... station wagon ambulances were very common in the Carolinas until the late 70's... many thanks...[/I]

[Rick Duffy]

Great thread... station wagon ambulances were very common in the Carolinas until the late 70's... many thanks...[/I]

In my hometown and the nieghboring communities, station wagon ambulances were the only thing going until 1979!

Thanks Steve!

Rick

[Paul Steinberg]

Owen F.H. (Sapulpa, OK)
1956 Ford

(OFH photo)

McQuary A.S. (Oklahoma City, OK)
1947 Ford
It was common through the early 1960s for mothers and new babies to be brought home from the hospital in an ambulance. I'm guessing that not many operators were big enough to have a rig dedicated to just that service, as did this firm. A wicker bassinet, with blue and pink linens, was a common ambulance item back in the day.

(SL collection)

If I remember correctly, wasn't this a postcard or a car that was offered for sale a few years ago on eBay? I remember reading the "note", but don't remember much more than that about the auction..

[Steve Loftin]

The Amblewagon was introduced in 1956; the newest one I know of was a 1975 model.

[Steve Loftin]

If I remember correctly, wasn't this a postcard or a car that was offered for sale a few years ago on eBay? I remember reading the "note", but don't remember much more than that about the auction..

I purchased this on eBay.

[Steve Lichtman]

Our two well-known station wagon ambulances:
1954 Studebaker Ambulet, from Nashwauk, MN
1957 DeSoto Fireflite wagon ambulance, from New Kensington, PA

(And this, though it'll appear first, is the photo of the DeSoto when it was in service in New Ken, from Steve Loftin from the Buick thread. Yes, the lettering was re-done in the '70's.)
http://www.professionalcarsociety.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3473&stc=1&d=1286811286)

[Bruce Oliphant]

Thanks for the thread. I too grew up around station wagon ambulances so I'm really enjoying this. I've got a beauty in the garage right now but I'll have one of these type rigs too one day. :specool:

[Steve Loftin]

1967 Sport Wagon
Tulsa Speedway
(ex-Moore F.H.; the speedway ran their own ambulance fleet until 1982)

1966 Vista Cruiser
Tulsa Speedway
(ex-Tulsa-Whisenhunt F.H.; one of twins)

1960 Ranch Wagon
Junkyard, Seminole, OK
(This is ex-Brooks F.H. of Duncan, OK, operating as Duncan Ambulance Service. This car had a manual transmission and NO split second seat! When in service, her warning package included two Propello Rays, two lollipops, a Q2B, and a #17. Sorry for the poor shot; it's the only angle I could get because of a certain guard dog on a chain. When I got back
through there again, the car was gone.)

1966 Country Sedan/ACC Amblewagon
Chambers, NE
(This car, stripped, was advertised on eBay about eight years ago as an ex-fire chief's car. She was still in backup service when I photographed her in the early '90s.)

(SL photos)

[Steve Loftin]

The Amblewagon was introduced in 1956; the newest one I know of was a 1975 model.

Attached are photos of a 1956 Ford Amblewagon that I photographed in Elk Creek, NE in 1992. It was still on the roster of the Johnson Co. ambulance service at the time, but was sitting at an individual's home and had been for some time. The car appeared to be complete except for medical equipment. You can barely see one of the wheelhouse compartments in the right/front view. The original beacon had been replaced by a #14, as you can also see. I wish now that I had photographed the rear interior through the (open) rear door. (Please believe me when I say that it was MUCH colder that day than it looks in the pictures...b-r-r-r!)

[John ED Renstrom]

I think is was the post card and we had a discussion about it here is it different car.
and a 62 falcon converted buy Kirby lumber co in oregon if I remember right. it was offered on e-bay a few years back.

[Steve Loftin]

I think is was the post card and we had a discussion about it here is it different car.

Looks like the same car to me...

[John ED Renstrom]

same two guys to. wounder how many moms and babies they took home?
today your lucky to get the wheel chair to the curb after the second day

[Steve Loftin]

...or should I say "over-equipped?" Perhaps some or all of the equipment listed on the back of this card was kept in a second vehicle or towed behind this one in a trailer! I can't imagine something as heavy and bulky as a Porta-Power being carried in this wagon. And, what about that fishing pole?

Here's the front and back of an S.F.H. postcard, plus a higher resolution scan of the car itself:

[Steve Loftin]

Here's a '58 Chevy Amblewagon. Standard equipment shown includes a #54-L stretcher, #11 auxiliary cot, snap-in vinyl floor covering, #17-D beacon, and a vertically-mounted #28 siren behind the grille. Options seen in the rear view include wheelhouse cabinets and side-hinged door conversion. This car also appears to have red parking light lenses.

(SL collection)

[Bill Leverett]

Here are some British Columbia station wagons.

#1 - 1968 Pontiac supervisor's wagon that carried 2 folding stretchers and was used as a back-up to the back-ups (Kamloops, BC).

#2 - 1966 Plymouth ACC conversion? - Beaver Valley, BC (Trail)

#3 - 1967 Pontiac - unknown builder - probably one of the worst uses of a wood-grain sided vehicle - Prince Geroge, BC

#4 - 1970 Chevrolet Brookswood - unknown builder - Nakusp, BC

$5 - same 1970 Chev.

[Chris M. Kelley]

http://www.professionalcarsociety.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3949&stc=1&d=1287882543


You'd hope they didn't have too many patients that were hypochondriacs. One would think that subject may never arise with a sick or injured victim.. Maybe their mind is elsewhere.. But you take someone that is already in an uncomfortable predicament and push the envelope a little, and now you have an uncooperative patient.

[Kent Dorsey]

BOSTIC,NC, Authorities in North Carolina are looking into whether to extradite a man from Oklahoma for charges connected in an apparent Kodak overdose. Oklahoma resident Steve Loftin is facing charges after apparently giving Bostic Funeral Director Kent Dorsey access to the harmful substance. Dorsey said he was capable of handling the mind numbing substance known as Kodak but his hands were shaking shortly after viewing the Mopar thread. Residents had not seen Dorsey for days, and he was apparently neglecting his business duties when locals caught him pouring over a thread dealing with station wagon ambulances. When forced from his computer, the poor undertaker was heard shouting, "No! no, I need ONE MORE Vista Cruiser! I can take it... and I can stop anytime I want too..." Loftin apparently sent several enthusiasts into overload as he dealt his Kodak supply out over a week period. Much too quick for many to absorb and deal with without proper treatment. Stay tuned for more information on this harmful condition and pending charges.

[Steve Loftin]

Surely, there must be a few current and former undertakers (and stretcher jockeys) on this site that have some photos to share in these threads, as well...?

[Steve Loftin]

This '61 Chevy was still in (reserve) service when photographed by my friend Steve Hagy in 1986:

[Jeff Beyer]

Most of the folks here know about this car, but I'll post some info for those who might have missed it in the last 25 years at PCS meets:

1955 Studebaker Ambulet originally in service in Erwinna PA until I bought it in 1972 at the tender age of 18. Posed as most people remember the car.

4359

[Ted Duncan]

http://i458.photobucket.com/albums/qq304/fyrboy1/Ambulances/1-4.jpg
http://i458.photobucket.com/albums/qq304/fyrboy1/Ambulances/2-3.jpg
http://i458.photobucket.com/albums/qq304/fyrboy1/Ambulances/3-2.jpg
http://i458.photobucket.com/albums/qq304/fyrboy1/Ambulances/4-1.jpg
http://i458.photobucket.com/albums/qq304/fyrboy1/Ambulances/5-1.jpg
http://i458.photobucket.com/albums/qq304/fyrboy1/Ambulances/6-1.jpg
http://i458.photobucket.com/albums/qq304/fyrboy1/Ambulances/cardfront.jpg
http://i458.photobucket.com/albums/qq304/fyrboy1/Ambulances/cardrear.jpg

[Steve Loftin]

Shurden FH (Henryetta, OK)
1973 Plymouth

Parks FH (Okemah, OK)
1973 Mercury

(SL photos)

[Steve Loftin]

Ellwood City, PA
1957 Mercury

Little Valley, NY
1963 Mercury

(SL collection)

[Jon VanDermark]

1960's- Park Hills, KY Police ambulance. I believe it is a Ford. Interesting beacon. I can't make out if it is a spotlight or siren in front of it.

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/1731/scan0009do.jpg

[Anthony J. Rzucidlo]

I would say that its a Ford. I would guess the year of the vehicle to be a 1965 or 66.

[Bill Leverett]

I was going through a box of ambulance memorabilia that was passed on to me a few weeks ago and came across these 2 photos. Tag on the back says "1968 Dodge Station Wagon. One of the last Station Wagon ambulances in Quebec, retired on 1975." photos is from 1994

[Doug House]

I was going through a box of ambulance memorabilia that was passed on to me a few weeks ago and came across these 2 photos. Tag on the back says "1968 Dodge Station Wagon. One of the last Station Wagon ambulances in Quebec, retired on 1975." photos is from 1994

Holy cow, Bill! Look at the heavy duty safety screen they put in there! I wonder if that's to protect the driver because they forgot to put in a stretcher anchor system?

:rofl1:

[Steve Loftin]

We should probably include sedan delivery ambulances in this thread as they are a close relative of the station wagon. Stretched wagons and deliveries, however, as well as those with raised roofs, qualify as standard limousine-style ambulances and should be posted to the appropriate threads.

A station wagon ambulance, for purposes of this thread, is one that hasn't had any body modifications.

Tag on the back says "1968 Dodge Station Wagon. One of the last Station Wagon ambulances in Quebec, retired on 1975." photos is from 1994

She's a '72 model...possibly a Demers conversion?

[Bill Leverett]

My mistake for the wrong area. My guess would be Demers as well. Hopefully Bob Davidson or Jean-Marc will comment.

[Steve Loftin]

My mistake for the wrong area. My guess would be Demers as well. Hopefully Bob Davidson or Jean-Marc will comment.

Whatever the subject or thread, keep these photos comin'...thanks!

[Jean-Marc Dugas]

My mistake for the wrong area. My guess would be Demers as well. Hopefully Bob Davidson or Jean-Marc will comment.

Bill, With your permission, I will send the pictures to the good folks at Demers to see what they have to say.

[Bill Leverett]

Jean-Marc..yes, please do.

Thanks

[Martin Harvey]

My oh My ! any Idea where in Quebec the picture was taken? I heard a story last week about an ambulance that can be this one..

The Aluminium factory near here in Alma (northern Quebec) used to have an old station wagon ambulance that was yellow (painted after 1976, provincial law for colors) and the guy who was telling me saw it until mid 1990's at the factory. When I asked him if he got a picture he told me nobody knows where the car is now.

[Tony Karsnia]

Here's another photo taken by my dad ca. 1968 when he worked for Brenny's Granite City Ambulance Service in St. Cloud, MN while attending St. Cloud State University. This is a 1965 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser wagon.

[Russell Street]

Replace the 184 with a 176 Beacon, add red lights in the high beams, throw a Q on the roof and you've got your basic P&S rig from Akron, Ohio in the 1960's.

[Steve Loftin]

A-1 Ambulance (Waco, TX)
1970 Vista Cruiser

(SL collection)

[Steve Loftin]

Here's a matchbook cover from my collection. I'd love to find a better photo of this 1962 Mercury Amblewagon someday!

[Skip Goulet]

Steve: Do you know what the other ambulance in the background is in the A-1 Waco photo? I've seen pix of this nice VistaCruiser before. Baker Ambulance in Odessa had a nice '67 Dodge ambulance that had come from Waco, but I'm not sure if it was from A-1 or someone else.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this thread, and as Steve well knows, I grew up with the stationwagon ambulances: particularly here in the Midland/Odessa area of West Texas. For more than 20 years I managed a small standby ambulance service in Lubbock; and during that time we had our share of stationwagons and short-wheel-based coaches such as Consorts and Oldsmobile Sevilles. Of that assortment, one of my most favorites was a 1965 Olds VistaCruiser wagon that had originally come from Airline Amblance in Corpus Christi. It's my understanding that this car had been specifically built as an ambulance. The rear seat had been removed and replaced with a ramp for the gurney to roll on, with the original jump seat retained. The car also had a large 100-amp alternator. When we bought it, it had been stripped; but you could see where the original Q, lollipops and beacon had been. So we were able to go back with the same setup. This was a fine ambulance in its day.

Anyone reading this thread who has pix of stationwagon and Suburbans ambulances that were manufactured by Gordon K. Allen Co., I would appreciate your emailing copies to me. I am working on an article about this co. and would appreicate anything you might have. Thanks.

[Steve Loftin]

Steve: Do you know what the other ambulance in the background is in the A-1 Waco photo? I've seen pix of this nice VistaCruiser before. Baker Ambulance in Odessa had a nice '67 Dodge ambulance that had come from Waco, but I'm not sure if it was from A-1 or someone else.


From what I can see of it, I'd guess a 1965-68 MoPar of some sort...so it's probably the '67.

[Paul Steinberg]

This is the first 1962 Pontiac station wagon ambulance picture that I have seen where the car is sporting built in tunnel lights. Only wish that there was a full frontal view of this car.

[Steve Loftin]

Abernathy F.H. (Crescent, OK)
1965 GKA/Chevrolet

[Steve Loftin]

This is the first 1962 Pontiac station wagon ambulance picture that I have seen where the car is sporting built in tunnel lights. Only wish that there was a full frontal view of this car.

While not a station wagon ambulance (the raised roof makes it a SWB limousine-style ambulance, whether built from a wagon or a stripped chassis), here's the best I can do. These tunnels were used by Comet and then C/B from '58 through '62. This particular car was shot in a salvage yard on US 34 near Elmwood, NE in 1992:

(SL photo)

[Paul Steinberg]

This came to me from the past owner. I don't know who the present owner is.

[Steve Loftin]

This came to me from the past owner. I don't know who the present owner is.

I photographed this car buried in a garage in Washington, IA in 1989. The Superior bullet lights were likely added later in its life.

(SL photo)

[John Royark JR]

Not sure what thread or post it is in, but I posted pics of this 1961 C/B Olds (i think in the last couple years) that I took when I was thinking of buying it in 2006. It was located in Riverside, IA. It has since sold and I cant remember who the owner is now, that post may or may not hold all the answers. Last year it has been known to show up at the cruise-ins in Iowa City and I have been told by the previous owner (who owned it in the pic Paul posted), that it is getting ready for restoration.

Steve, are you sure you did not take the pic in Riverside? The pics I took look like it is in the same garage, only the clutter has changed.

[Steve Loftin]

Steve, are you sure you did not take the pic in Riverside? The pics I took look like it is in the same garage, only the clutter has changed.

Washington, for sure. I was on the way home from Columbus Junction after picking up the '73 S&S for the Lichtmans.

[Steve Loftin]

Okay, back to the station wagons...

Here's a 1961 Pontiac Amblewagon brochure:

[Steve Loftin]

The Amblewagon was introduced in 1956; the newest one I know of was a 1975 model.

They were available only on FoMoCo products for the first few years. Job 1 was the Ford seen in Post #11, followed quickly by this Mercury, and then Edsel in 1958:

[Adam Borkat]

The Amblewagon was introduced in 1956; the newest one I know of was a 1975 model.

I haven't ever seen a '75, but this was a '74 Buick that appeared for sale a few years ago. From what I remember, it had been stripped back down to its basic station wagon configuration. The Amblewagon scripts were still on the body, being the only real indication of what the car was. I'm guessing many Amblewagon conversions suffered that same fate.

[Harry Evans]

This must have been the lesser fate- any single 1970s GM wagon would have been derbied by the inbred knockholes in this area a while ago. Unfortunately, people in western PA aren't big on much except scrap and derbys. We have lost thousands of great cars around here. Wagons like this have no chance. I'd assume that the 1973 white straight clean car in that picture was derbied by ignorant pissoles.

[John Royark JR]

This must have been the lesser fate- any single 1970s GM wagon would have been derbied by the inbred knockholes in this area a while ago. Unfortunately, people in western PA aren't big on much except scrap and derbys. We have lost thousands of great cars around here. Wagons like this have no chance. I'd assume that the 1973 white straight clean car in that picture was derbied by ignorant pissoles.

I know what you mean, Iowa is the same way. At least most places now ban hearses from seeing this fate.

[Steve Loftin]

Note the 8-lug aluminum wheels...I wonder if she had a 389 or 421 HO Tri-Power?:

[Steve Lichtman]

It's a Seibert, and (no offense to Bill), since this is not a station wagon and this is the station wagon ambulance thread, could we impose upon Paul to move this post with a great photo over to the Ford ambulance thread?

[Steve Tarbert]

Cleveland Police ran station wagon ambulances in the early 70's and also were used as regular "cruisers". There were lime yellow and used until the city started the EMS.

[Anthony J. Rzucidlo]

So did the Detroit Police Department from the early 1960's till 1973.

[Keith Snyder]

It's a Seibert, and (no offense to Bill), since this is not a station wagon and this is the station wagon ambulance thread, could we impose upon Paul to move this post with a great photo over to the Ford ambulance thread?

Well, technically, it's not a station wagon. However, like many of these conversions, it began life as a station wagon. In this case, a Ford. It just had the chassis extended as well as the roof raised.

[Attila Bethlenfalvy]

Pair of '60 Pontiacs. The whambulance is obviously earlier than the urban definition. ;)

http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/6262/60pon11.jpg
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/1876/60pon10.jpg

[John ED Renstrom]

now that's interesting obviously and run under accident. but hit off center just enough that the fender mounted siren is still in place and undamaged. Brendon's 63 had similar damage on it in it's career. we decided up when the photo was first added that it's a Amblewagon conversion.

[Attila Bethlenfalvy]

Figured a period action photo was worth including w/o knowing details.

http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/2434/fordamb2.jpg

[John ED Renstrom]

now that old press photo shows a lot of stuff and nothing. one can't see what the man of the ground is wrestling with. I'm guessing a #11. but what is on it? the gurney is a #27 as you can see the kick up. they have loaded the pt backwards on the gurney. so they are loading the gurney backward in the car. there would be reasons this would be appropriate. as that style did not have the raised foot. one could load backward as left and right would lock in the same place. then use the head end to raise the feet. this also would put the pt head farther forward. as long as there was room to do so. but I'm betting not in the wagon conversion. that 27 may be centered on the mount I would have to measure this one here to see. but just looking it would look to be a crew that had not trained a lot jacked the gurney out rolled it over and dropped it down not paying any attention to the placement of the pt. they have two people down which has maxed out there carry capacity and there crew. we see 3 offices helping and most likly the two that came with the ambulance trying there best not to compound mistakes and get these people out of here. training, it's all in training and practice people. lets do this exercise again and try to do better. or as we would say that was a real cluster fire truck up. me I have never done this and don't want to again. darn sure don't want any pictures taken.

[Russell Street]

Cleveland Police ran station wagon ambulances in the early 70's and also were used as regular "cruisers". There were lime yellow and used until the city started the EMS.

Before they had the lime yellow ones, they ran black and whites ju8st like the regular cruisers. Think back into the early 1960's, through the very early 70's.

[Jack Ramsey]

http://i458.photobucket.com/albums/qq304/fyrboy1/Ambulances/1-4.jpg

[Abe Bush]

...or should I say "over-equipped?" Perhaps some or all of the equipment listed on the back of this card was kept in a second vehicle or towed behind this one in a trailer! I can't imagine something as heavy and bulky as a Porta-Power being carried in this wagon. And, what about that fishing pole?

Here's the front and back of an S.F.H. postcard, plus a higher resolution scan of the car itself:

I've never heard of a heated cot before! How did those work, did you plug them into something?

I know the funeral home in my hometown would store their cot inside the funeral home on cold nights (their 1972 Superior Cadillac combination was parked in a detached garage) but a *heated* cot?

Abe

[Steve Tarbert]

Does anyone have any pics of the Cleveland PD station wagon ambulances?

[Paul Steinberg]

I've never heard of a heated cot before! How did those work, did you plug them into something?

...........
Abe


The mattress had some type of heating coils in it that were activated by electrical current. I believe that they plugged into a receptacle inside the ambulance.

[Larri Dirks]

The funeral home my dad & I worked for in Illinois always had heated cots from 1958 up until 1974. It was also a marketing tool for them as well in the local paper. I cant speak for the cots of the 50's but in the 60's & 70's they were mearley a heating blanket. The heating blanket would be placed on the stretcher between the sheet and mattress it would plug into an electrical outlet near the foot end of the cot on the wall. Our ambulances then had an outlet on the rear hip and or bumper and we would take a drop cord from the garage and plug into the bumper or rear hip of the vehicle which would keep the cot nice and warm. I can still recall today the sign that was made for the steering wheel "UNPLUG THE COT!", many a cord were ripped from the wall. I recall my dad telling me several times the nice comments they would get from families about those warm cots on cold nights!

Larri

[Brady D Smith]

The '50 Flxible purchased new by Rick Huffman in Elgin Nebraska, successively owned by Ardeen Vaughan, Larry Shepard, Neil Elliot, Scott Walker and now by Buck Kamphausen, had a complicated cot warming system installed in it that I was never able to thoroughly understand or get working. It looked cool though.

[Steve Loftin]

Figured a period action photo was worth including w/o knowing details.


This is a black over red Chicago FD 1958 Ford Battalion Chief's car, all of which carried auxiliary stretchers for use as an ambulance in a mass casualty (or other high call volume) situation. The CPD had many station wagon patrol cars that were equipped the same way.

I don't recognize the stretcher being put in the car, but the one on the ground is a #11.

[Ron Devies]

Does anyone have any pics of the Cleveland PD station wagon ambulances?

Weren't they those ugly lime green Ford LTD wagons?

[Steve Tarbert]

Weren't they those ugly lime green Ford LTD wagons?

Yep...those were the ones....seems like they were two tone....RUST and slime green
:weneedpics_smi:

[Steve Loftin]

You'd hope they didn't have too many patients that were hypochondriacs. One would think that subject may never arise with a sick or injured victim.. Maybe their mind is elsewhere.. But you take someone that is already in an uncomfortable predicament and push the envelope a little, and now you have an uncooperative patient.

By chance did you mean claustrophobics?

[Chris M. Kelley]

Probably. Hard to say, I posted it at night. I'm usually bushed after 9.