McDonnell-Douglas Tulsa 1969 Stoner-Chevrolet "Crash Wagon" Updates

Nicholas Studer

PCS Elected Director 2022-2025
Hello folks, I've been remiss in posting about this car for almost a year. Previously discussed at http://www.professionalcarsociety.org/forums/showthread.php?t=21083 and http://www.professionalcarsociety.org/forums/showthread.php?t=21053

1. The unit is now re-marked as it was in service, thanks to a local sign company. I had no photos of the back and the few folks here who saw it in service don't recall, so I chose to add some markings there. I figure they can be removed if further evidence appears.

2. 79 participated in the Randolph AFB Car Show last March. I plan to do the same this year. I hope to create a historical display sign for it - as frankly the questions I was asked were rather perplexing. "Is this a real ambulance?"

3. I had to scavenge parts to make the Model 184 work. The original beacon (shown in original thread) had a base that ripped itself apart. A light I had intended for my 1970 C/B-Oldsmobile sufficed, but the motor was bad despite being supplied as refurbished by a now-discredited emergency light/siren "supplier." Two lights made one good one. Now I just need one for the Cotington!

4. After issues with stalling (despite a new gas tank, blown fuel lines, new clean gas, and replacing fuel pump, etc.), I finally chose to replace the supposedly rebuilt carburetor the car came with. In the process, I learned the engine was not rebuilt - but instead replaced with a 1979 model while in service. The carburetor was also incorrect/added on later and corresponded to 1972. I imagine there was a screw-up with oil or whatever, as the 7990 mileage when I purchased the car seems right considering its condition otherwise and where it worked on the flightline. I brought the supposedly rebuilt carburetor back to the local carburetor shop twice (three total visits for it) and they kept trying to insist it was related to "trash" in the filter." While indeed there was some small particulate in the filters they showed me, the condition resolved immediately upon replacement of the carburetor with a 1969 Rochester Quadrajet from Quadrajet Power. They did a lovely job, and being local I was able to pick it up personally. Unfortunately, the float was stuck right out of the box. My mechanic was able to fix it under their guidance without bringing it back, but sadly the Quadrajet Power folks never got back to me on reimbursing the cost to do that.

5. I posted previously about the faded Gilson net at http://www.professionalcarsociety.org/forums/showthread.php?t=21083 I dyed it using Rit for synthetic fibers in a trash can, and it turned out great!

6. I did a deep cleaning of the rear interior, including cleaning/polishing the vinyl floor, vacuuming and cleaning the compartments, and coating everything in 303 Aerospace Protectant. I pulled the jack and tools and cleaned those as well. The spare tire compartment had some minor surface rust in the bottom, which I cleaned and coated with Rustoleum spray. Small scratches and dings in the door jambs etc got coatings of Rustoleum. Not particularly professional appearing, but will hopefully arrest corrosion.

7. I pulled the rear vent fan housing and found it packed with wasp nests. Removed and cleaned them and found that the vent fan worked when not clogged with wasp nests! I cleaned and sprayed the cover with some mild surface rust, it's basically good as new.
 

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8. In the process of all this adventure, the zipper in the front headliner finally gave up the ghost and ripped apart. It had been exposed to plenty of leaking water and had rotted, it appeared. I had the headliner replaced by a local upholestry shop who did some great work. It was indeed a pain to learn all about zippers and where to buy new brass ones that were identical! The upholesterer did a great job, but I had to bring it back as I found the trim at the back had to be adjusted to match the original profile. Silly, but might as well! An upcoming project is to apply zipper wax to all of the zippers in my ambulances to hopefully avert the next time.

9. Retro Electronics repaired my PA-15 Federal Director siren, and I found a replacement CP-25 speaker to replace the missing second speaker. An odd button with wires I found stuffed in the console turned out to be a Federal P-15/20 floor switch that Kevin O'Connell identified. I installed the switch and with both speakers wired in - it's surely loud. In the process of applying a bit of touch-up paint to the PA-15 (dumbly after it was in the car due to impatience) I managed to drip some on the original "POSITIVELY NO SMOKING" decal. I learned that the solvent in spray paint eats plastic cups, so it wasn't the brightest idea to put it in there for some light touch up work! Luckily, it all cleaned up and I was able to remove the fresh paint solvent without too much damage. Some high-quality car wax and the decal appears OK.

10. You can see the outline of a two-screw item that ended up on top of the "POSITIVELY NO SMOKING" decal at some point. The only item M-D appears to have made an effort to remove was the radios. There is a G-E fuse box up in the engine bay, so I suspect it was a MASTR Executive or Executive II at some point. The screw outlines correpond to a Motorola hang-up box though...
 

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11. Here are some photos of the radio compartment. I have yet to find any good evidence of a radio under the seat (but hard to tell for sure), and there are no holes on the rear wall. Best guess is it went inside the back of the console. MASTR Executive II seems to fit the profile, but I need to find a drawer to test the theory. I just got in some control heads and speakers, and they seem to correspond.

12. I recently got the dash lights and rear loading light working (that's what the switch in the back controls), where I discovered a hot wire in the passenger side rear fender hanging loose that also was attached to that switch. The only thing I can see this going to would be the rear step lights. The bumper could've been replaced at some point with a stock one, as the special Stoner bumper with step was pretty much standard. If anyone knows where one might be, please let me know.

12. I am still looking for literature from Stoner and their dealers. Steve Loftin and Lichtman kindly shared what they remembered about the car, but sadly no one else seems to have popped up from M-D Tulsa Fire Department despite a number of inquiries on Facebook and such. I'd love to get a hold of one of their patches at least. I'll eventually need another Model 184 for my Cotington if someone has one they want to part with at a fair price. Projects on this car remaining include the side indicator lights (probably just need new bulbs), finishing stocking with appropriate gear, completing the radio install, getting a new spare tire (got the tire in, but no wheel yet), fixing/cleaning the Unity spotlights, painting the CHEVROLET and black lines on the grille (worn off mostly), painting the rusty air cleaner, and applying the missing original GM decals in the engine bay.

13. I'll end this with a "Fleet Photo." Hope this was useful!
 

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Lookin great Nick!
Let me know if you do not find a 184 closer to you. I have several.
It looks like we need to find you an older microphone fo your Director. I would assume that it was replaced at some time.
 
We had the same problem with the cab problem on the 70 Ron has took forever to find the correct carb for it. Once we did it ran good. You need a 5,6 or 8 hole wheel? It's all about clean up and little things working right.
 
Miniature

Nicholas, the company I do work for produces a 1970 Stoner in 1:43 scale high end resin. I could inquire if they would like to do a version of yours. I would need some photos. There would be no royalties, but pretty sure I can snag you a free model. Not a guarantee that this could happen, and it would not happen right away. You can contact me below if you want to discuss further.
rich@inquarters.com
 
I have a few 184s that are missing domes and gaskets; I'd be happy to contribute one to the cause, if needed.
 
Lookin great Nick!
Let me know if you do not find a 184 closer to you. I have several.
It looks like we need to find you an older microphone fo your Director. I would assume that it was replaced at some time.

The mic was destroyed when I got the car. Kent at Retro Electronics kindly found that one.

Nicholas, the company I do work for produces a 1970 Stoner in 1:43 scale high end resin. I could inquire if they would like to do a version of yours. I would need some photos. There would be no royalties, but pretty sure I can snag you a free model. Not a guarantee that this could happen, and it would not happen right away. You can contact me below if you want to discuss further.
rich@inquarters.com

I emailed you. Sure - I think it’d look cool.

We had the same problem with the cab problem on the 70 Ron has took forever to find the correct carb for it. Once we did it ran good. You need a 5,6 or 8 hole wheel? It's all about clean up and little things working right.

Not sure on the wheel yet. Going to confirm and it’ll probably be my present to myself for February.

I have a few 184s that are missing domes and gaskets; I'd be happy to contribute one to the cause, if needed.

That’s very kind of you Steve. Facebook message sent.
 
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