Pro car used as TV news vehicle

[Chris Turner]

Check the links below.

The first shows an early 60s Cadillac converted as a CBS News mobile unit. The high top makes it look as if it started life as an ambulance; you decide.

It's likely taken from the 1968 Republican National Convention in Miami. You get a glimpse of the rear fender to make out the tail lights and the model year.

I know the sharp eyes in the group can identify the year and perhaps a coach builder!

The bikini, beehive and heels; high water britches, rainbow striped sport shirt and Brylcreem hair add flavor to the photo.

The second shows a 60s Dodge (or Chrysler product) station wagon also converted into a mobile unit. This vehicle was used for a John Glenn parade after his first space flight.

The caption says the picture was taken outside the CBS Broadcast Center in New York in 1972. Note the Federal Beacon Ray and the cool convertible parked behind it.

The photo links come from a site for CBS engineering retirees.

Also, WDAF-TV in Kansas City used a Packard hearse as one of its first news mobile units in the late 40s and early 50s. When a reporter put together a piece on station history in 1984, she joked that staffers back then called it "the hearse." Little did she know, it truly was. I'll post a photo or video link if I can find it in my archives.

Link to Cadillac: http://www.cbsretirees.com/Durante/image3.html

Link to Dodge: http://cbsretirees.com/page_8/image2.html

Chris Turner
Jeffersonville, Ind.
(Louisville suburb)

(pro car enthusiast and broadcast journalist)

[Paul Steinberg]

The Cadillac appears to me as a 1961 S & S Cadillac, and the car you called a Doge, I believe to be a `961 or 1962 Chrysler 4 door hardtop station wagon. Both cars today would be highly desirable collector cars.

[Steve Lichtman]

Here's one from Omaha, a '48 Henney Packard. (Photo scanned from the book "Henney, A Complete History" by Tom McPherson).

[John ED Renstrom]

and we wounder were the cars went. they used them up just like they are doing the box ambulances of today. at least the Henney was built just for that not converted.

[Chris Turner]

Here's one from Omaha, a '48 Henney Packard. (Photo scanned from the book "Henney, A Complete History" by Tom McPherson).

Thanks to Steve and Paul for the fast info. I had forgotten about the WOW-TV car. It is sharp!

(WOW-TV is now WOWT, the NBC affiliate in Omaha.)

Chris

[Mike Stevens]

The coach pictured with the bikini girl is 61. Note the almost square emblem on the hub caps. Did S & S use the their logo on all of their caps or was that an option?
Mike

[Brady D Smith]

The Henney was purpose built to be what it was----------a mobile TV studio. It was never a hearse and it was never an ambulance.

[John Royark JR]

The coach pictured with the bikini girl is 61. Note the almost square emblem on the hub caps. Did S & S use the their logo on all of their caps or was that an option?
Mike

The S&S in the caps was an option. If I remember correctly it was a no cost option.

[Paul Steinberg]

Looking at this picture a second time made me realize that there is no indication that there was ever any emergency lighting on it. I think that this might have been purposely built for the news department by S & S in 1961.

[John ED Renstrom]

no light cut in the front. all the ambulances had that big red light on the top. you may be onto something here.

[Steve Loftin]

The Cadillac appears to me as a 1961 S & S Cadillac, and the car you called a Doge, I believe to be a `961 or 1962 Chrysler 4 door hardtop station wagon. Both cars today would be highly desirable collector cars.

You are correct.