Kevin O'Connell - Deceased - 1954 - 2019
February 10, 1954 - May 12, 2019
Not in California.
How many Criterion's are left...
- Thread starter Richard Vyse
- Start date
Not in California.
The late Jess Byrd bought what was supposedly the last Critierion built in June 1976 after it served as a demo at the Indianapolis 500 on Memorial Day weekend. It had a Orange belt, 2 - Federal 184 Beacons on the front upper roof, 2 red roof flashers on each side , a Federal PA20A Interceptor siren and 2 Federal CP 25 Speakers mounted between the tunnel lights. Sorry to say that I don't have any pictures of it and that I don't know what happened to it after it was retired. The last time I saw it, the body was in fair shape but rust was moving in on the roof
I always thought this was the last Criterion. But it can't be since this is a 1975.
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The Mt. Morris car is in fact a '76 model.
John ED Renstrom
PCS Member
you just see the molding on the front roof. but that pictures may be one of the ones I had miss labled. I'll check it. we were swaping a lot of them discussing the grab bars. got to love that pictures with the snow tires on the car.
Tony Karsnia - Deceased - 1971-2020
September 12, 1971 - November 2, 2020
???
The car in the photo you posted, Richard, is indeed a 1976 model. The photo was taken in 1995 when Jon Wurm and I visited Lifeline Ambulance Service in Des Moines, Iowa. (The photo should be credited to Jon Wurm.) The owner told us that his understanding was that this was the last Criterion off the line, although no data was provided to prove this.
We do know this rig last saw service in Mt. Morris, Illinois, was traded in to Foster Coach Sales ca. 1989, and then sold to the owner of Lifeline. Not knowing the ownership history beyond that, it is possible the car was owned by Jess Byrd, as Mr. Tarbert suggests. The physical appearance and emergency equipment seem to match.
One thing I do recall as being "odd" about this car was that it had no "First Aid Bar" (medicine cabinet) in the rear loading door. Criterions came standard with such cabinet in both the rear loading door and right rear side door. This car had a correct Miller-Meteor inner door panel that was orange to match the rest of the interior. It likely could have come from the factory like this, or the original door panel with cabinet could have been damaged and replaced at some point in time.
The car in the photo you posted, Richard, is indeed a 1976 model. The photo was taken in 1995 when Jon Wurm and I visited Lifeline Ambulance Service in Des Moines, Iowa. (The photo should be credited to Jon Wurm.) The owner told us that his understanding was that this was the last Criterion off the line, although no data was provided to prove this.
We do know this rig last saw service in Mt. Morris, Illinois, was traded in to Foster Coach Sales ca. 1989, and then sold to the owner of Lifeline. Not knowing the ownership history beyond that, it is possible the car was owned by Jess Byrd, as Mr. Tarbert suggests. The physical appearance and emergency equipment seem to match.
One thing I do recall as being "odd" about this car was that it had no "First Aid Bar" (medicine cabinet) in the rear loading door. Criterions came standard with such cabinet in both the rear loading door and right rear side door. This car had a correct Miller-Meteor inner door panel that was orange to match the rest of the interior. It likely could have come from the factory like this, or the original door panel with cabinet could have been damaged and replaced at some point in time.
Glad the year was cleared up. For some reason this picture was tagged as a 75 in my file and will need to change that.
So this could possibly be the last Criterion.
So this could possibly be the last Criterion.
It certainly did...thank you! I can't remember the last time (if ever) I saw Solar Rays on a '76 of any make.
Hud Kellogg
PCS Life Member
I'm not sure but perhaps Robert Sheperd or Ed can shed some light on it for you.
The owner, Chris Bruno, is in CA. I believe he acquired it out there and had it painted that color to advertise his business.
John ED Renstrom
PCS Member
Chris car was a calf car that started life as Orange and white in this lettering for this company. went to a man that had a shop make some repairs on it. it got sold for the mechanics lean to the Co. that Chris was working for. was painted green and white then. when he left the Co. he was able to keep the car. it is now red and white.
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I undertand it is currently green and white Ed but correct me if I'm wrong.
John ED Renstrom
PCS Member
did I not just say it's now red and white. same set of colors as Roberts 75 and lettered for a new company Chris is now working for. photo curiosity of Chris, threw Robert, to me, now to you. cell phone one so we are only showing the new lettering and this plug is for cheap advertising for this company. half the reason one thinks there are so many cars is they change colors like women's hair.
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I just had to ask
What is a Criterion? Can somebody put into context the historical significance, if any, compared to other ambulances. Lifeliner, etc. I was trying to understand all the replys...seems like an important topic with so many. Or direct me to an article that explains it. When I come to my first meet, I don't want to look like a hayseed from Kansas, if possible.
What is a Criterion? Can somebody put into context the historical significance, if any, compared to other ambulances. Lifeliner, etc. I was trying to understand all the replys...seems like an important topic with so many. Or direct me to an article that explains it. When I come to my first meet, I don't want to look like a hayseed from Kansas, if possible.
John ED Renstrom
PCS Member
don't put the wheat straw in your teeth and you'll be OK.
if you check the pictures you'll see it's a body style of MM ambulance they only made about 150 of so of from 74 to 76. it has the blank sides and the half door on the center drivers side. a walk threw stand up in pt compartment, with cabinets on the big wall. it was atempt to make time with the van conversions and along with the superior 54xl went away with the down sized caddys in 77.
if you check the pictures you'll see it's a body style of MM ambulance they only made about 150 of so of from 74 to 76. it has the blank sides and the half door on the center drivers side. a walk threw stand up in pt compartment, with cabinets on the big wall. it was atempt to make time with the van conversions and along with the superior 54xl went away with the down sized caddys in 77.
This copy of the Criterion brochure may help answer your questions.
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John ED Renstrom
PCS Member
of course now this is not to be confused with the hearse of the same name some years earlier ether. so when there talking make sure it is a Criterion ambulance there talking about. the truth is if you see one at the meet it is a rare opportunity. there just aren't that many round. I consider my self lucky to have had the opportunity to get to work on two of them in the same day. all total I have done something on 3 in my life time. to me there just like all the rest they rust out and fall apart to.
Well heck, I couldn't afford to paint my old Criterion once and Chris changes and paints his everytime he gets a new job.
John ED Renstrom
PCS Member
that's because you to picky and don't own a membership to Matco