So last Monday, I found myself in Lewistown, PA for a train excursion. The local ambulance is Fame EMS, and I remembered that I knew the chief of Fame and that they own a '69 Springfield Travelall Intern ambulance. So I made a note that I'd try to get ahold of him.
At the lunch stop for the train in Altoona, PA, I get a tap on my shoulder - "Hey, what's an antique ambulance guy doing riding an antique train?" Sure enough, it was Pat Shoop, Chief of Fame EMS. He was working as one of the medics on the train trip. A little conversation later and it was determined that he'd take me by to see the ambulance when we returned.
Fame Ambulance, once part of Fame Fire Co. in Lewistown, bought the ambulance new from a local International dealer (who still provides the chassis for modern units for them). They sold it to a local steel mill, and when the steel mill was ready to dispose of it, they re-acquired it and restored it. Very nicely done.
Interestingly, most long wheelbase Springfields had a regular TA side door and a panel made from another door panel. This one has an extended side door (only on the right side) with a shorter fill panel. I'm not certain why, but the interior floor has post cups. Could this have been done to accommodate a stair chair in the side door? Was there a stair-chair with posts for cups? Answers, please!