I Need Some Advice

D

Derrick Walden

I heard of a '76 Lifeliner that was for sale down in Utah that I'm interested in having as my first pro car . It looks as though she needs some good ol' fashioned hard work and elbow grease to it as far as the interior is concerned and to get it the way I want it . I was thinking of finding a spot to put a Super Cheif siren on it and finding a spot to put two Fed Sig Model 184 beacons on the roof . It already has one on it but I want it to look nice but sound nice with a dual tone Unitrol 480k electronic siren and Grover fire truck air horn . The suction and oxygen needs to be hooked back up to make it a functioning rig , but just for show . I'm also looking for Micor radios and an Apcor to make it look periodic . Am I better off for my money to not do as much work to it or do what I want but over time ?
 
Derrick, it all depends on you. And time. And money. How much can you do yourself, and how much will you have someone else do and pay for. If you want to do all the work quickly, you can. If you're short cash-wise, but want to do all the work, you can spread it out over a couple years.

Some people find it's better to buy a vehicle in nice condition, pay more, but do less work to it. Others prefer to buy one that needs some work and pay less, particularly if they can do the work themselves.

You in a hurry? Get it all done at once. Not in a hurry? Spread it out over time.

OK, so that's really no help at all, it's just general comments. My two real bits of advice are: 1) if you start it, finish it, there's nothing worse than taking something apart and not putting it back together, and 2) there's no rush, we'll still be here.
 
the truth is they ain't making any more. we are kind of stuck with what still out there. wha tyou want to is is possable so is the money looks good go for it.
 
Buy the best car you can find for the money that you can afford to spend, and make that your starting point. All too often, people take on a project thinking that the cost is going to be minimal, but in the end, they spend 3 or 4 times as much as they had thought it would cost, and they are still further behind than if they purchased a better car for a few more dollars. As Ed has said, sometimes, all we can find is what is out there, but there is still a big pool of cars that still exist. It just takes some ferreting to find them. I found my 1978 Superior Cadillac in Alaska, and my 1969 Miller Meteor Cadillac in Oregon. Both were in good condition and well worth the asking price. Unfortunately, all but 1 of my cars had to be transported a long distance, and transportation adds no value to a car. Ultimately, you are going to have to make this decision alone. Keep in mind that parts and labor are both expensive today. I do a lot of my own work, and I even moan when I add up what the parts cost. That is why I always say that it is better to buy a running and driving car, not one that they say "was running when parked".
 
I think Steve, Ed, and Paul have said it best. Old ambulances justare not out there anymore but usually they do require a bit of work. If you haev the money then buy thebest one you can. If money is tight then do it as you go along and depending on your expectations.
 
I found one that was mostly complete. The problem with old ambulances, is that when you get into them, you tend to find a lot of issues that are not visible right away. I don't have the ability to do the work myself, if you are in the same boat make sure you have the finances to have it done. These old ambulances are so much fun, and when you see some of these restored at a PCS Meet it makes it all worth it. I could not have done what I'm doing to my car without the advice and help from good friends here in this car club.:my2cents:
 
Hi Derrick...I can echo what the others are saying as I work on my 1973 Lifeliner (and have yet to start work on a '53 Barnette/Pontiac).

There is such a wide variation out there when it comes to what shape the vehicle you find is in and where you want it to end up.

Costs vary greatly depending on where you live but I'll give you a idea of my costs so far. Some of my costs would not apply to you.

It cost me approx $4000 to buy/transport the vehicle from Elmore County (south of Boise Idaho) to Victoria BC on Vancouver Island. This includes commercial transport to the border, my ferry costs over and back to Vancouver, the dollar exchange of the day and taxes on the Canadian side.

My vehicle was complete (minus the siren) and had minimal rust. Having said that, it sat for a number of years, was not run and had no maintenance. I've spent approx. $5000 on parts/labour for exhaust and manifold work/tires/new front windshield/complete new front end/complete brakes/all the rubber bushings needed replacing/front shocks/misc. Body/paint (media blasting included) was another $6000. I did all of the trim/light/etc removal and reattchment to reduce those costs. I could have spend at least double on paint but my budget didn't allow that. The paint/body is not show quality but OK. It's a decent 10 foot car.

I still have some interior work to be done that'll run another $750

So, as you can see I'm about 15,000 into this ambulance. Could I have found an ambulance for sale in that price range...you bet...and probably in better shape too. However, I wanted to save this one and enjoy the process of bringing it back to life.

I'll never get 15,000 for it if/when I sell it but like any hobby, I don't do this to make money.

Just go into it being realistic of the costs and what your expectations are for the final product. And most importantly enjoy the trip
 
I am in no hurry to get it done . I'd rather take my time with it and do it right over time . Since the vehicle I like already has a roof beacon why mess it up by putting two more . I am thinking of putting in a California warning light configuration . There's an extra Model 28 gurney at my work ( part time EMT ) , that is no longer in use that I can use !
 
I'm not in it to make money either and doing this for two reasons :

1. As a hobby

2. To educate people about the history of EMS .

3 . To participate in nearby PCS events once the car is done .
 
Pictures?

And when you get your vehicle, please post some pictures regardless of it's condition!
 
Hey Derrick, I just noticed you were in Twin Falls, ID. My ambulance came out of Mountain Home.

As you look for an ambulance you should give Art Gregory a call in Boise. He had his '66 MM ambulance for sale for under 10,000 last year. That included 2 cots and a double tone siren. Search his name and you can read more.

Good luck.
 
There was a '72 Cadillac Superior 54" that Gooding County EMS had back in the '80s that I really liked . I wondered what happened to it . Art has a great looking car ! I'm in Boise about once a month .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top