1956 Ford Ambulance

[James Shao]

Came across this one today in Chino Valley, AZ. The owner does not know who the builder is and has not come across any tags that would ID the builder. He also has an Amblewagon. Any ideas?

 

[James Shao]

Came across this one today in Chino Valley, AZ. The owner does not know who the builder is and has not come across any tags that would ID the builder. He also has an Amblewagon. Any ideas?

There are 2 brackets in the next picture, one in front of the box and one inside, any ideas as to what they are for?

 

[James Shao]

 

[Paul Steinberg]

I would be leaning toward it being an ACC Amblewagon, based on the fact that it is a station wagon with a sedan delivery rear door. ACC had the clout with the manufacturers to ask for this "modification" and to receive it. Other body builders would do this modification themselves in conjunction of raising the roof.. i.e. C/B.

 

[James Shao]

Thanks Paul,

Are there any other details that he should look for to confirm it is an Amblewagon?

 

[Paul Steinberg]

The original Amblewagon scripts would have been on the rear of the rear quarters, but they were probably missing or in very poor condition, so the holes were filled and painted over. On the inside, at the rear of the car, on the passengers side wall, you might find evidence of a bracket that held the first aid kit that came with the car. Also, there would have been an ACC emblem on the glove compartment door, but many times, these have been taken for "trophies" by others. Hard to tell if the glove box door is original. They never installed a builders tag or plate, so that makes it more difficult.

 

[John ED Renstrom]

don't forget the others. from the appearance this one has been altered on the inside. the brackets you talk about are the cot bar holders. the rear one has been made unusable with the speaker box. you could get them out of the mortuary supply catalog other builders like Weller brothers, Armbruster or Comet just to name a few would convert on any car your brought them. plus there were so many small places in Texas doing conversions one will never know there name. the rear door could be ordered threw any dealer. as it was the stock door and frame used on the sedan delivery. the split rear seat was standard on the 9 passenger wagon. as were the sliding quarter glass. so it becomes the Catholic boy and the priest thing. when the alter boy asked the priest "father what is it". the reply was "son it's a mystery to be reviled latter". I have one of then in my yard also. most everyone had there name screwed to the car somewhere. but once that has been removed and the car repainted it's vary hard to ID these conversions. sharp car it would not take a lot to bring it back at all.

 

[John ED Renstrom]

checked my pictures of Amblewagons and I can say check the back door. I don't have a 56 but I do show a 57 and 58 both have the V on the tailgate and the script above it.

 

[James Shao]

Here's a shot of a tag on his other '56 Amblewagon.

 

[Paul Steinberg]

That is the first time that I have seen an ACC builders tag, and I have seen a lot of ACC Amblewagons from the 1960's. I wonder if they might have stopped using them, or if they were removed at sometime during their life.

 

[Steve Loftin]

The owner does not know who the builder is and has not come across any tags that would ID the builder.

My money's on a funeral home conversion of a wagon purchased locally.