1979 Starline Chevrolet Van

How about a front mounted spare with a cover over it and a big cross on the cover? I saw a couple of ambulances like that in these years.
 
Spare Tire

Our 1975 M-M Lifeliner does not have space for a spare tire. The partition was custom-built to order and there is no place behind the front seat for the tire. Under this circumstance, the tire would normally go under the floor, inside the left rear door. Our car has a walk-across stepwell, so there is no room there, either.

When I spoke to the gentleman who designed and ordered the car new, he said they didn't need a spare because they'd never change a tire anyway. If one went flat, they'd (a) call for a backup ambulance, and (b) just buy a whole new tire.
 

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Larry Sears said:
How about a front mounted spare with a cover over it and a big cross on the cover? I saw a couple of ambulances like that in these years.
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John ED Renstrom said:
looking over the list of options I think I'm see a 8.75x16.5 spare or at least the tires are listed twice. so they had to have a spot for it. check the rear behind the bumper. but make sure that it the same size tire front clearance is tight and with the locking rear end the tires better be the same size. I'm thinking that the tire went inside in the factory rig that's the reason for the swing away mounted on the conversions vans. but I'll bet they made a spot for it under neath somewhere. doesn't look to be room behind the rear seats the only other place is in the cabinet. most put there were assessed from the rear door. whats behind that panel in the center left side.
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Larry, a front mounting is an idea, but I'd worry about impeding airflow to the radiator!
Ed, I have a feeling the double listing for the tires is for front and rear. That's how they did it on the window sticker for my '94 Silverado. There's no spare underneath, and while the jack is behind that big panel on the left rear wall I don't think there's room enough in there for a spare wheel and tire. As Paul says, there's probably not much need for a spare except at a PCS meet if I wanted it judged. Given the typical distance to a PCS meet, I kind of doubt I'd drive this one anyway! I like my Cadillac comfort on long road trips :)
 
John Burchfield said:
Larry, a front mounting is an idea, but I'd worry about impeding airflow to the radiator!
Ed, I have a feeling the double listing for the tires is for front and rear. That's how they did it on the window sticker for my '94 Silverado. There's no spare underneath, and while the jack is behind that big panel on the left rear wall I don't think there's room enough in there for a spare wheel and tire. As Paul says, there's probably not much need for a spare except at a PCS meet if I wanted it judged. Given the typical distance to a PCS meet, I kind of doubt I'd drive this one anyway! I like my Cadillac comfort on long road trips :)
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A lot of pickup's with slide in campers used the front mounted spare in the 60's and 70's. I don't think you would have a problem. campers add much more weight to the vehicle. I use to see them rolling down the highways all the time.
 
Jackie Kennedy

Tony Karsnia said:
Our 1975 M-M Lifeliner does not have space for a spare tire. The partition was custom-built to order and there is no place behind the front seat for the tire. Under this circumstance, the tire would normally go under the floor, inside the left rear door. Our car has a walk-across stepwell, so there is no room there, either.

When I spoke to the gentleman who designed and ordered the car new, he said they didn't need a spare because they'd never change a tire anyway. If one went flat, they'd (a) call for a backup ambulance, and (b) just buy a whole new tire.
Click to expand...

The thought just ocurred to me..... it that why Jackie Kennedy was able to get in the LR Door on the Navy Pontiac Ambulance that fateful day?
 
John Burchfield said:
Ed, I have a feeling the double listing for the tires is for front and rear. That's how they did it on the window sticker for my '94 Silverado. There's no spare underneath, and while the jack is behind that big panel on the left rear wall I don't think there's room enough in there for a spare wheel and tire.
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I was wondering as it looked in the pictures that the panel lifted out. no evidence of the tire rubbing? it they did have one on there it would leave a mark. the front mount is successful on all I have seen but really looks bad to me. the rear door mount would make the door heavy and might present some problems loading. as it was a plant ambulance they most likely never carried a spare. I do know that it was sometimes listed on the tag. but of course not on everyone. but if the jack is back there and stowed away not just tossed in. I would say the tire was in the same place the jack was. they put one in, if they put a jack in. that not saying it would be easily accessible
 
Mike McDonald said:
The thought just ocurred to me..... is that why Jackie Kennedy was able to get in the LR Door on the Navy Pontiac Ambulance that fateful day?
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It's just a door that opens to the flat floor on the left side of a Superior. Military Superior Pontiacs had rather thin cabinets. If you notice in the film, she tried the door and it was locked, and the driver had to reach around to unlock it before she could get in. Since the jump seat would have had to be folded down to fit the casket, she was probably sitting on the floor at the head of the casket. Either that or, Robert Kennedy (who apparently got in on the other side) may have given her the fixed seat on the right side and he sat on the floor.

Steve Loftin said:
I was giving a private procar photography lesson that day. Hey...I don't think I ever got paid for that!
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Paid money? HA. But I think you've been "paid" over the years.... ;)
 
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