1950's Windsor Ambulance Service photos

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Kyle Wilkinson

I've finally had the opportunity to scan a bunch of old photos, mostly from the Windsor and Chatham area of Southwestern Ontario. Windsor is located directly across the river, south of Detroit, Michigan. These mainly date from the 50's and 60's. A few early 70's shots as well.

Windsor Ambulance Service--1950's

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Chatham, Ontario Ambulance photos

Here's some shots from Chatham, east of Windsor.

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Ballantyne's Chatham Ambulance Service

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Arbour's Chatham Ambulance Service

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Arbour's Chatham Ambulance Service

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This was an Ontario car, not sure of the location though.
 
Arbour's Chatham Ambulance

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Downtown Windsor in background. None of these buildings are standing any longer. Torn down for new development.

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Along the Detroit River. Detroit is seen in the background, across the river.

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Early 70's shot of the "new" Chatham Ambulance station. Transitioning from the professional style cars to the commercial van ambulances.
 
A few more

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American Ambulance Company, Detroit, Michigan....Black over white car I believe.

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Unsure of location. Taken 1961.

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Unsure of location. Taken 1959.

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Newspaper clipping of 1956 County Sedan ambulance that served the Windsor Ford Plant #2.
 
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The car on the left is a 1962, so the picture was either in the 4th quarter of 1961 or sometime in 1962. Seeing the spacer in the rear bumper to bumper end, indicates that this is also a professional car.
 
Kyle Wilkinson said:
More Windsor Ambulance Service shots...

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How can you not love a photo with FOUR Studebaker Ambulets in one place! WOW! Two '55's on the right, a '56 on the left, and probably another '56 in the far back. Walt McCall had sent me other photos of Windsor Ambulance Service Ambulets as well.
 

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Steve Lichtman said:
How can you not love a photo with FOUR Studebaker Ambulets in one place! WOW! Two '55's on the right, a '56 on the left, and probably another '56 in the far back. Walt McCall had sent me other photos of Windsor Ambulance Service Ambulets as well.
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Sorry, my internet is screwed up so I didn't get to finish my comments. The photo attached (I hope) to my prior post is of two '56 Stude Ambulets from Windsor Ambulance Service, from Walt McCall. Apparently, it's a parade of some sort.

Kyle, is the Wilkinson Luggage store in the background any relation???
 
Those were really nice Kyle. Got anything newer?

Richard
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How much newer do you want? I've got some shots from the 70's and early 80's, but they really aren't "pro" cars. Dodge vans mostly.

Kyle, is the Wilkinson Luggage store in the background any relation???
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Steve, not really sure about this one.

Also, I've got many more photos to scan and post. Many interesting interior shots of the cars and equipment (or lack of).
 
Steve Lichtman said:
Sorry, my internet is screwed up so I didn't get to finish my comments. The photo attached (I hope) to my prior post is of two '56 Stude Ambulets from Windsor Ambulance Service, from Walt McCall. Apparently, it's a parade of some sort.

Kyle, is the Wilkinson Luggage store in the background any relation???
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Steve,

THe store is actually Wilkinson Shoe's and Luggage, and no they were not relatives. The picture was taken in the downtown business district, on Ouellette Ave, the main north south street in the city.
 
Newer Ambulances

In response to Richards request for newer stuff....here we go. In 1969 the Ontario Hospital Commission began to regulate Ambulance Services. The demise of the pro car was near and the introduction of a more standardized, design began. I do not know when the pro cars were exactly phased out, but here are some shots of the 70's stuff.

Interesting to see the early 70's version of the Dodge reflecting on its pro car roots with the center rotator and corner flashers along with the frosted rear side windows. Where the later model van had a "modern" lightbar and tinted windows.

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Dodge B series vans were built in Windsor, Ontario until 2003 and were a mainstay for Ambulances in Ontario EMS until then.
 
thanks for the pictures we so offen forget what they looked like in service as we go about over restoring them to a glory they never had. :rolleyes:
 
Chevrolet ambulances

Thanks for the great pics of the '49, '51 & '52 Chevrolets. It is very difficult to find pics of these vehicles. Really helps in my resto of my '51. Did these come from original glossy photos when you scanned them?
 
Joe Melanson said:
Thanks for the great pics of the '49, '51 & '52 Chevrolets. It is very difficult to find pics of these vehicles. Really helps in my resto of my '51. Did these come from original glossy photos when you scanned them?
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All the photos were scanned from the originals. I'm going to scan some more, and there are interior shots also.
 
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I used to drive something similar to this Dodge for Alert Ambulance in Flint. A fellow driver used to call it "The Penthouse". It sure had more room to work in than the car based units.

Richard
 
photos

What a great set of photos you have shared with us!! Anything else you find will be frosting on the cake!!

Thanks.

Dr Roger D White
 
A little jingle comes to mind...

Hightops, lowtops, Ambulets and Suburbans too....
Whatever your old ambulance interests, there's something here for you!

Ok, so I won't quit my day job, but I sure enjoyed seeing this great variety of rigs. Thanks, Kyle!
 
Richard Vyse said:
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I used to drive something similar to this Dodge for Alert Ambulance in Flint. A fellow driver used to call it "The Penthouse". It sure had more room to work in than the car based units.

Richard
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Did you happen to catch that these two ambulance are NOT ONE and the same. There are distinct differences between the two. Roof lights and that single red forward facing light on the hood. Must have that California law in effect in Canada too.

Richard
 
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