Nicholas Studer
PCS Elected Director 2022-2025
Some may remember the 1971 Superior-Cadillac 51 ambulance that was for sale last year in Florida. http://www.professionalcarsociety.org/forums/showthread.php?t=15129 This ambulance served Stony Point, NY - about an hour south of Rhinecliff, NY, just south of West Point and north of NYC.
Long story short - I was in Florida on business and saw the car as an interesting project for me to work on myself while our 1970 Cotner-Bevington was in the shop. The seller was an absolute gentleman and a pleasure to work with. We came to an arrangement that was very fair to both of us. Not long after this arrived, I purchased the 1963 Pinner-Chrysler RCFD ambulance and thus haven't talked about this vehicle since I wished to focus my attention on it.
Another PCS Member had visited the car and been unable to start it. This was due to the fact there was no gas in the gas tank... The car started right up with 5 gallons of premium. I dropped the tank and had it boiled and relined at a local radiator shop. I replaced all of the fluids and the transmission gasket. There's an exhaust leak somewhere (in addition to the regulator being ripped off the rear) - but it runs well. Not only that, it drives and stops as well just fine too. The previous owner had replaced the pads/shoes before parking it, I replaced the master cylinder as well.
So much for my plan of having a lot to do - I'm no body man and that's most of what's left! It's original Zodiac Blue over Cotillion White (just dirt you see that's now cleaned off the pictured label.) It doesn't appear to me to be repainted. Very unusual in blue - and I love the hand-lettering on the back. It's faded, but had a big "646" on the roof as well. There's rust on the front hood lip, as well as both rear fenders. The add-on stretched steel rear step is pretty rusty, and there's some corrosion to the rear bumper as well on the left primarily. Otherwise fairly solid, especially for a NY car. Right passenger floorboard is rather crumbly in a few spots. Bottom of the rear door too. Ed Renstrom visited the car recently and I was surprised that he thought it better shape than I did. The passenger door handle that was loose is the result of the retaining clips falling off inside - not corrosion. Some mild surface rust, mostly on the right side as this side faced out from the carport. All the trim and even Superior badging still there! Tires are pretty much shot - two of them are vintage 8.90x15 tires white-walls. Rubber weatherstrip pretty much all bad, I was able to get a replacement. All the hubcaps there too...
Absolutely amazing to me that the vehicle survived basically intact from when it was taken out of service and purchased by the previous owner, who saw it sitting on the side of the road at a Rockland County EMS academy. Even a wide assortment of embossed labels are still there. Motrac low-band and Micor hi-band VHF (with HEAR system rotary and push-button dialer) is still present and all works! Mic cables may need to be replaced up front - luckily our local Motorola shop can do that. Original Model 26 cot, scoop, folding backboard, Ambu Air-Shields Resuscitator, and bedpan with SPAC markings still present. The unit is set up to accept an M-cylinder and has piped oxygen going to the top of the cabinet. Came with the main and 2 E oxygen cylinders when purchased in the 1980s, but the seller disposed of them when NYS vehicle inspector wouldn't sign off unless they were gone. Cabinet in great condition - even the white rubber bumper on top cleaned up wel. Spare tire and cover with jack in excellent shape. Interior is an absolutely gorgeous patterned blue and is in great shape with the exception of one missing Vani-shade in the back and a hole in the headliner from the radio install. The diamond-brick pattern linoleum is unfortunately a little worse for wear. The previous owner had some samples in the back when he was considering putting new flooring in (You can see them sitting on the floor in a few photos) - thankfully he didn't and the samples serve padding in a box now! Interestingly, the car has both front and rear A/C... It also has the red/yellow/green patient condition lights in the front and rear. Star of Life decals are on both rear windows over top of the original graphics which are in great shape. Rear door on the bench seat needs to be re-screwed in place... All of these photos were taken when I received it and before cleaning it up.
Lighting wise there is a MARS beacon on the roof which doesn't seem to work at the moment (may just be a fuse, frankly haven't had time to check), side marker lights, plus front/rear tunnels of course. Dual spotlights placed up into the roof of the cab. Federal Interceptor with SA-24 speaker in the grille with great sound. Front sign lights up nicely.
What it's doing now and our plans? Well, it lives inside and gets started/shifted weekly. I'm leaning towards the 1963 GMC rescue ambulance from Norfolk FD being next in line after our C/B is hopefully finished this year. I believe that places may place it around 2-4 years out. I've had thoughts of letting it go to someone with less projects who could start now - but it's surely not burning a hole in my garage! (PM/e-mail me with SERIOUS interest only) I'm glad I was able to "save" it - such a worthy car.
Long story short - I was in Florida on business and saw the car as an interesting project for me to work on myself while our 1970 Cotner-Bevington was in the shop. The seller was an absolute gentleman and a pleasure to work with. We came to an arrangement that was very fair to both of us. Not long after this arrived, I purchased the 1963 Pinner-Chrysler RCFD ambulance and thus haven't talked about this vehicle since I wished to focus my attention on it.
Another PCS Member had visited the car and been unable to start it. This was due to the fact there was no gas in the gas tank... The car started right up with 5 gallons of premium. I dropped the tank and had it boiled and relined at a local radiator shop. I replaced all of the fluids and the transmission gasket. There's an exhaust leak somewhere (in addition to the regulator being ripped off the rear) - but it runs well. Not only that, it drives and stops as well just fine too. The previous owner had replaced the pads/shoes before parking it, I replaced the master cylinder as well.
So much for my plan of having a lot to do - I'm no body man and that's most of what's left! It's original Zodiac Blue over Cotillion White (just dirt you see that's now cleaned off the pictured label.) It doesn't appear to me to be repainted. Very unusual in blue - and I love the hand-lettering on the back. It's faded, but had a big "646" on the roof as well. There's rust on the front hood lip, as well as both rear fenders. The add-on stretched steel rear step is pretty rusty, and there's some corrosion to the rear bumper as well on the left primarily. Otherwise fairly solid, especially for a NY car. Right passenger floorboard is rather crumbly in a few spots. Bottom of the rear door too. Ed Renstrom visited the car recently and I was surprised that he thought it better shape than I did. The passenger door handle that was loose is the result of the retaining clips falling off inside - not corrosion. Some mild surface rust, mostly on the right side as this side faced out from the carport. All the trim and even Superior badging still there! Tires are pretty much shot - two of them are vintage 8.90x15 tires white-walls. Rubber weatherstrip pretty much all bad, I was able to get a replacement. All the hubcaps there too...
Absolutely amazing to me that the vehicle survived basically intact from when it was taken out of service and purchased by the previous owner, who saw it sitting on the side of the road at a Rockland County EMS academy. Even a wide assortment of embossed labels are still there. Motrac low-band and Micor hi-band VHF (with HEAR system rotary and push-button dialer) is still present and all works! Mic cables may need to be replaced up front - luckily our local Motorola shop can do that. Original Model 26 cot, scoop, folding backboard, Ambu Air-Shields Resuscitator, and bedpan with SPAC markings still present. The unit is set up to accept an M-cylinder and has piped oxygen going to the top of the cabinet. Came with the main and 2 E oxygen cylinders when purchased in the 1980s, but the seller disposed of them when NYS vehicle inspector wouldn't sign off unless they were gone. Cabinet in great condition - even the white rubber bumper on top cleaned up wel. Spare tire and cover with jack in excellent shape. Interior is an absolutely gorgeous patterned blue and is in great shape with the exception of one missing Vani-shade in the back and a hole in the headliner from the radio install. The diamond-brick pattern linoleum is unfortunately a little worse for wear. The previous owner had some samples in the back when he was considering putting new flooring in (You can see them sitting on the floor in a few photos) - thankfully he didn't and the samples serve padding in a box now! Interestingly, the car has both front and rear A/C... It also has the red/yellow/green patient condition lights in the front and rear. Star of Life decals are on both rear windows over top of the original graphics which are in great shape. Rear door on the bench seat needs to be re-screwed in place... All of these photos were taken when I received it and before cleaning it up.
Lighting wise there is a MARS beacon on the roof which doesn't seem to work at the moment (may just be a fuse, frankly haven't had time to check), side marker lights, plus front/rear tunnels of course. Dual spotlights placed up into the roof of the cab. Federal Interceptor with SA-24 speaker in the grille with great sound. Front sign lights up nicely.
What it's doing now and our plans? Well, it lives inside and gets started/shifted weekly. I'm leaning towards the 1963 GMC rescue ambulance from Norfolk FD being next in line after our C/B is hopefully finished this year. I believe that places may place it around 2-4 years out. I've had thoughts of letting it go to someone with less projects who could start now - but it's surely not burning a hole in my garage! (PM/e-mail me with SERIOUS interest only) I'm glad I was able to "save" it - such a worthy car.
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