Road Trip Finds - Including a 1942 Fitzjohn-Packard Limousine

Nicholas Studer

PCS Elected Director 2022-2025
Went on a recent westward driving trip, sure was great to have a break!

Visited the Socorro, NM Fire Department - took some photos of the station where our 1961 Eureka-Cadillac Hi-Boy arrived in January 1970. The bay where the ambulance resided is basically unchanged! More photos to follow.

We passed through the Phoenix area briefly. I had called twice and left voicemails during the previous month with a PCS member in Glendale who is listed as having a 1959 S&S-Cadillac ambulance, asking if I might be allowed to visit. I suspected it might be the Professional High Body shown at https://www.facebook.com/charlesphoenix.usa/videos/10153664834269426/ and that would surely be something to see! Anyhow - no joy unfortunately, the gentleman never did call me back.

Made it to LA area. Met up with Kevin O'Connell and really enjoyed putting a face to a name/voice. Visited the LA City and LA County Fire Museums. Actually sat in Rescue 51! Saw the 1954 M-M/Cadillac "First Aider" they had on display at the City museum, sadly missing its cabinetry.

On our way back, stopped at the National Atomic Museum at Kirtland AFB, NM in Albuquerque. They actually had a professional car on display, apparently a 1942 Fitzjohn-Packard Limousine used by the War Department at the White Sands Missile Range. Neat looking car, and a nicely displayed example of a professional car at a well-established museum. Very much recommend a visit there if you find yourself in the area.

Visited the Tres Piedras Fire Department near Taos, NM and saw where the Eureka was stationed for the last period of its in-service life. More photos/details to follow on that.
 

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Thanks for the post. I suspect that is the 59 (how many can be left) that sold unrestored on ebay about five years back for 50K. Looked like a very nice car at the time, but nothing like now. Beautiful!
 
Thanks for the post. I suspect that is the 59 (how many can be left) that sold unrestored on ebay about five years back for 50K. Looked like a very nice car at the time, but nothing like now. Beautiful!

I don't have knowledge of the previous eBay auction. The car that turned up in Las Vegas for a show appeared to be same as https://www.professionalcar.org/owners-pride-mark-christy-366

Judging by member list and proximity to Las Vegas - that was my guess as to the listed 1959 S&S-Cadillac ambulance's identity.
 
circa 2010

This is when it was for sale in 2010. Beautiful car. Hard to top 1959 Cadillac and S&S. It sold at that time for 50K. Looks like it has been well taken care of.
 

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I would take a '59 or '60 Eureka Hi Boy over a '59 or '60 S&S high top any day! Eureka had S&S beat big time when it came to styling in those years. I don't know what H&E was thinking when they came up with those ugly body side moldings!
 
Agreed Kurt - I find Eureka and Hi-Boy model ambulances tough to beat. The S&S is very close in so many ways. But - they do have it beat in that I don't recall seeing a sink in any late-model Eureka product, and a few S&S ads do! Would love to see that in person one day. :)
 
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