BC 1968 Superior hightop in Victoria
- Thread starter Robert Davidson
- Start date
wow! this would be stunning if painted turquoise & white to match the interior. hope it goes to a good home.
From looking at the rear door jamb, it appears that it originally was turquoise and white. If it were a 1967, I would have been interested in it, but 1968's don't hold much interest for me. Just don't care for the front bumper treatment, and to change the nose to a 1967 would be cost prohibitive. 
Rick Franklin
PCS Member
i may be mistaken but it looks like Bil Leverett's old car
Bill Leverett
PCS Member/Super Site Supporter/Paramedic Supervis
Not mine...
You're close Rick, but my '68 went to the Langley Racetrack Historical Society last year. They used it as their track car for a number of years and were interested in having as one of their Society's center pieces. As I didn't have any sentimental attachment to it, and I needed the time/space/money to work on my '53 Pontiac (from my home town) I let it go.
As for this particular '68 it is owned by a local paramedic in Victoria where I work. the car is originally from the Kootenays (Cranbrook/Creston area, southeast BC). I had a look at it the other day. In short, the car needs alot of work. The interior is in good shape except for a 4" tear in the left rear headliner. The emerg lights all work and he's including the CP25 speaker for the electronic siren. He's also including all of the medical equipment. Most of the mechanical work has been done, however it does overheat. Cliff Bergum solved the problem with his '67 by installing 2-14" electric fans.
Here's the not so good points of the car. It had the wrong springs installed (non-commercial weight) so the car sits too low and the front tires rub on the wheel wells. The car is very rusted (holes) and/or poorly repaired on almost the entire lower third of the car. If you get this car be prepared to repair lower quarter panels, rockers, wheel wells, etc on the entire car. The rear door is rusted at the bottom and has holes in it. The rear door frame is rusted around the hinges and would need attention before the door starts to sag. The rear door frame is also poorly repaired and has chunks of bondo coming off it. Front floor pans have holes in them. The right rear tail-light area has been redented following a previous old repair.
I spoke with the owner regarding his price and the current condition. He's not in a hurry to sell it and likely won't sell it unless he gets very close to his asking price. I'd guess car is likely worth $1500 - $2000.
If anyone is seriously interested I can follow up for you.
You're close Rick, but my '68 went to the Langley Racetrack Historical Society last year. They used it as their track car for a number of years and were interested in having as one of their Society's center pieces. As I didn't have any sentimental attachment to it, and I needed the time/space/money to work on my '53 Pontiac (from my home town) I let it go.
As for this particular '68 it is owned by a local paramedic in Victoria where I work. the car is originally from the Kootenays (Cranbrook/Creston area, southeast BC). I had a look at it the other day. In short, the car needs alot of work. The interior is in good shape except for a 4" tear in the left rear headliner. The emerg lights all work and he's including the CP25 speaker for the electronic siren. He's also including all of the medical equipment. Most of the mechanical work has been done, however it does overheat. Cliff Bergum solved the problem with his '67 by installing 2-14" electric fans.
Here's the not so good points of the car. It had the wrong springs installed (non-commercial weight) so the car sits too low and the front tires rub on the wheel wells. The car is very rusted (holes) and/or poorly repaired on almost the entire lower third of the car. If you get this car be prepared to repair lower quarter panels, rockers, wheel wells, etc on the entire car. The rear door is rusted at the bottom and has holes in it. The rear door frame is rusted around the hinges and would need attention before the door starts to sag. The rear door frame is also poorly repaired and has chunks of bondo coming off it. Front floor pans have holes in them. The right rear tail-light area has been redented following a previous old repair.
I spoke with the owner regarding his price and the current condition. He's not in a hurry to sell it and likely won't sell it unless he gets very close to his asking price. I'd guess car is likely worth $1500 - $2000.
If anyone is seriously interested I can follow up for you.
Mine.....!
I now own this vehicle, affectionately named "Annabelle", and am busy dealing with all that she needs.
New custom springs and shocks have been installed and she rides and drives like a dream. The tire rubbing issue is gone. The steady bearing has been replaced, as has the heater core. Drivers side floor pan has been replaced (No more "Flintstone Brakes"). The centrifugal fan has been changed out for a 16" electric, and the overheating issue has been resolved, even on long idles. She also has a proper radiator overflow reservoir now instead of the plastic pop bottle that was tied in place with a shoe lace. New front tires have been installed and the brakes done all around. I've done quite a bit of wiring repair to the lighting systems, and they are all functional now. Broken switches controlling the side stairwell light and rear loading light have been replaced. The old speaker and wiring under the hood, insulated with Band-aids, have been removed, and she has a shiny pair of CP-25 speakers on the roof as well as the mechanical coaster. Annabelle has a "new" PA-20 Federal Interceptor siren that is date stamped on exactly the same date as the vehicle's production date....March 25, 1968. Missing parts for the drivers window post floodlight/warning light have been located, and it works well now. A Motorola Mocom 70 radio system has been installed and is fully functional.
Mid-November, she's going in for rust repair (new metal) and a shiny new paint job. I'm torn as to whether to return her to her original white over blue, or stay with the B.C. Ambulance white with red diagonal stripe scheme, and I suspect that decision will be made at the last moment. I'll be sure to post some pics either way.
In the meantime, I'm enjoying Annabelle very much and am delighted to own her.
Cheers,
Doug House
I now own this vehicle, affectionately named "Annabelle", and am busy dealing with all that she needs.
New custom springs and shocks have been installed and she rides and drives like a dream. The tire rubbing issue is gone. The steady bearing has been replaced, as has the heater core. Drivers side floor pan has been replaced (No more "Flintstone Brakes"). The centrifugal fan has been changed out for a 16" electric, and the overheating issue has been resolved, even on long idles. She also has a proper radiator overflow reservoir now instead of the plastic pop bottle that was tied in place with a shoe lace. New front tires have been installed and the brakes done all around. I've done quite a bit of wiring repair to the lighting systems, and they are all functional now. Broken switches controlling the side stairwell light and rear loading light have been replaced. The old speaker and wiring under the hood, insulated with Band-aids, have been removed, and she has a shiny pair of CP-25 speakers on the roof as well as the mechanical coaster. Annabelle has a "new" PA-20 Federal Interceptor siren that is date stamped on exactly the same date as the vehicle's production date....March 25, 1968. Missing parts for the drivers window post floodlight/warning light have been located, and it works well now. A Motorola Mocom 70 radio system has been installed and is fully functional.
Mid-November, she's going in for rust repair (new metal) and a shiny new paint job. I'm torn as to whether to return her to her original white over blue, or stay with the B.C. Ambulance white with red diagonal stripe scheme, and I suspect that decision will be made at the last moment. I'll be sure to post some pics either way.
In the meantime, I'm enjoying Annabelle very much and am delighted to own her.
Cheers,
Doug House
Brendan Martin
PCS Member
Congratulations Doug! I wish you all the best with her.
Sounds like you have been busy, and have made a lot of progress. As they say, time flies when you are having fun, and you are having the time of your life with this ambulance. Good to know that another one has been saved.. :thumbsup:
Rick Franklin
PCS Member
You are cordially invited to bring Annabelle down to our Spring Emergency Vehicle-Pro Car Show here in the Seattle area on April 11th,2010. Would be great to see her. I hope Fraser Field comes down too!
Mercy sakes alive, good buddy. Looks like we got ourselves a CONVOY!
Thanks for the kind words, everyone. Rick, we appreciate the invitation. Work schedule permitting, we'd be pleased to attend your event. In fact, my 75 Criterion should be show-ready by then as well. The wife can drive it, we'll hook up with Fraser, and come down as a 3-ambulance convoy!
Hmmmm. I wonder of Bill Leverett's car will be ready by then? Perhaps I can talk the Ambulance Paramedics Union CUPE 873 into bringing their '67 Superior down as well. Maybe the Langley Speedway Historical Society will bring their 68 Superior.
A 6-ambulance convoy, blasting down the I-5. What a great photo-op at Peace Arch! Better get the news cameras ready.
I love a parade!!!!!
Thanks for the kind words, everyone. Rick, we appreciate the invitation. Work schedule permitting, we'd be pleased to attend your event. In fact, my 75 Criterion should be show-ready by then as well. The wife can drive it, we'll hook up with Fraser, and come down as a 3-ambulance convoy!
Hmmmm. I wonder of Bill Leverett's car will be ready by then? Perhaps I can talk the Ambulance Paramedics Union CUPE 873 into bringing their '67 Superior down as well. Maybe the Langley Speedway Historical Society will bring their 68 Superior.
A 6-ambulance convoy, blasting down the I-5. What a great photo-op at Peace Arch! Better get the news cameras ready.
I love a parade!!!!!
Just plan to have a long wait time at Customs, when all the Customs people want to come out and look at all the cars.
John Burchfield
PCS Life Member
Wow Doug, thanks for preserving a nice ambulance! We'd love to see some photos of the work you've done. My vote would be for the original paint scheme. I don't mean to offend, but seems ya'll have plenty of old ambulances up there in the white/red diagonal scheme
So true!
Truer words were never spoken, John. When the government took over the ambulance service in B.C. in 1974, everything with 4 wheels, a stretcher, and a flashing red light got a white paint job with a diagonal red stripe. I have to admit that I'm leaning toward the original colour right now, but not by much. About 55-45 at the moment, so we'll see.
Thanks for the note!
Truer words were never spoken, John. When the government took over the ambulance service in B.C. in 1974, everything with 4 wheels, a stretcher, and a flashing red light got a white paint job with a diagonal red stripe. I have to admit that I'm leaning toward the original colour right now, but not by much. About 55-45 at the moment, so we'll see.
Thanks for the note!
I'd love to post a pic of her for you but apparently I'm not allowed to post attachments.
Bill Leverett
PCS Member/Super Site Supporter/Paramedic Supervis
Looking forward to seeing the car!
:thumbsup:Boy have you been busy! As for paint, I'd go with what was original...it'll look very sharp plus it'll match the interior way better. Anything after 1973/74 can have the white with red stripe...knowing when that paint scheme came into place just makes it look out of place on anything earlier. As for my Pontiac, I doubt it'll be ready by April unless I win the lottery.
Bill
:thumbsup:Boy have you been busy! As for paint, I'd go with what was original...it'll look very sharp plus it'll match the interior way better. Anything after 1973/74 can have the white with red stripe...knowing when that paint scheme came into place just makes it look out of place on anything earlier. As for my Pontiac, I doubt it'll be ready by April unless I win the lottery.
Bill
Sharp rig.........:thumbsup:
Coming from you, Richard, since you are the owner of two absolutely STUNNING rigs, that is a huge compliment. Thank you!
You may be interested to know that I have made a decision regarding Annabelle's new paint. Comments made by Bill Leverett tipped the scales. He sagely pointed out that the BC government took over ambulance service in B.C. in 1974, but Annabelle is a 1968. A long time passed between Annabelle's inception and her repainting. It made me realize that since Annabelle was retired from public service in 1980, she didn't get the white paint until half way through her working life. That being the case, to acknowledge some of her best years of service to the public, I'll be putting her back to her her original white over blue colour. I think it will work well and, as some of you have pointed out, it will go best with her white and turquoise/teal interior.
Mind you, I have to admit that I like the white with red diagonal stripe B.C. Ambulance treatment, especially the original one with the stylized red cross on the door (the new onces just have the provincial crest instead of the cross). I have just acquired a 1975 M-M Criterion, which desperately needs paint. Its original colours were white over red, but there are a few like that out there already, and I DO like to be different. *Insert cheesy grin here*.
Photo of my Criterion in her early days:
http://s776.photobucket.com/albums/yy48/BCParamedic/?action=view¤t=moto-medic.jpg
We had a Criterion in service here in B.C. "back in the day", a 1974, originally with Richmond Ambulance. It, too, got the "red stripe treatment". I think I'll do that with mine. I think bright white paint and that dramatic stripe will look great on that big ol' girl, and it will be more period-authentic.
Here's a photo of the Richmond ambulance Criterion.
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/1205877432027713000umwHSO
Thanks to all for the input.
Doug
You may be interested to know that I have made a decision regarding Annabelle's new paint. Comments made by Bill Leverett tipped the scales. He sagely pointed out that the BC government took over ambulance service in B.C. in 1974, but Annabelle is a 1968. A long time passed between Annabelle's inception and her repainting. It made me realize that since Annabelle was retired from public service in 1980, she didn't get the white paint until half way through her working life. That being the case, to acknowledge some of her best years of service to the public, I'll be putting her back to her her original white over blue colour. I think it will work well and, as some of you have pointed out, it will go best with her white and turquoise/teal interior.
Mind you, I have to admit that I like the white with red diagonal stripe B.C. Ambulance treatment, especially the original one with the stylized red cross on the door (the new onces just have the provincial crest instead of the cross). I have just acquired a 1975 M-M Criterion, which desperately needs paint. Its original colours were white over red, but there are a few like that out there already, and I DO like to be different. *Insert cheesy grin here*.
Photo of my Criterion in her early days:
http://s776.photobucket.com/albums/yy48/BCParamedic/?action=view¤t=moto-medic.jpg
We had a Criterion in service here in B.C. "back in the day", a 1974, originally with Richmond Ambulance. It, too, got the "red stripe treatment". I think I'll do that with mine. I think bright white paint and that dramatic stripe will look great on that big ol' girl, and it will be more period-authentic.
Here's a photo of the Richmond ambulance Criterion.
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/1205877432027713000umwHSO
Thanks to all for the input.
Doug
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Brendan Martin
PCS Member
Very cool ambulance Doug, best of luck with her!
Terry Lange
PCS Member
Doug:
I believe I was the owner of your '75 Criterion from about '86 to '89 while I was still living in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (I am not "moto-medic".) Glad to see that the Criterion is in the hands of someone who appreciates it and will do whatever is necessary to bring it back to the status it deserves! I have a detailed history of this car, including photos, build sheet from the original purchaser, etc., and will scan them and forward them to you if you are interested. I also have shots of the Richmond, BC car prior to the government takeover. I have never been a fan of the BC government paint scheme from day-one, but that's my personal opinion. PM me if you would like the details on either of these cars.
Terry
I believe I was the owner of your '75 Criterion from about '86 to '89 while I was still living in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (I am not "moto-medic".) Glad to see that the Criterion is in the hands of someone who appreciates it and will do whatever is necessary to bring it back to the status it deserves! I have a detailed history of this car, including photos, build sheet from the original purchaser, etc., and will scan them and forward them to you if you are interested. I also have shots of the Richmond, BC car prior to the government takeover. I have never been a fan of the BC government paint scheme from day-one, but that's my personal opinion. PM me if you would like the details on either of these cars.
Terry