Merry Oldsmobiles

[Terry Lange]

I just noticed this has solid panels. Is this a hearse combo?

My understanding is that this Seville was originally purchased by the ambulance service to be dedicated to first calls. When this part of the business didn't take off as anticipated, it was converted for straight ambulance use. I don't believe the car was ever technically a combo, as it didn't have rollers or reversible floor compartments. I did many trips in this rig over the years sporting various names and color configurations. It was a powerful and fun driver with a "Q" behind the grille.

Terry

 

[Tim Prieur]

Metro west siren

Terry (or others), could you explain the front "extension" on the presumed fender Q on the Metro West Cotington.

 

[Adam Borkat]

Another shot of Steve Allen's Olds with Kent Dorsey's '64 Superior beside it. Photos I took in 2000 at a chapter meet in Ashville.

 

[Adam Borkat]

A 1969 C/B Oldsmobile that was for sale somewhere between Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan, CN about ten years ago. I lusted after this thing for weeks, before the reality of getting it home sank in. This photo was from the Auto Trader ad.

 

[John ED Renstrom]

a 1971 cottington. would love to have that. miss one offered to me for 500 that ran a few years ago.

 

[Ron Devies]

Another shot of Steve Allen's Olds with Kent Dorsey's '64 Superior beside it. Photos I took in 2000 at a chapter meet in Ashville.

Has anyone seen Steve Allen lately? I have lost his number and have not talked to him in a while.

 

[Terry Lange]

Terry (or others), could you explain the front "extension" on the presumed fender Q on the Metro West Cotington.

Tim, this "Pulsator" option was offered for a very short period of time by Federal on their Q2B sirens. It consisted of a gear-driven valve located at the front of the "cone" that produced a very unique sound. Apparently, it was prone to failure and wasn't a real hot seller. I have only seen one other one over the years, which was mounted on a '64 Siebert Ford in Glasgow, Montana.

Terry

 

[Paul Steinberg]

New York City police cars used the pulsator on their cars in the 1970's. I have a pulsator that mounts on the front of a Federal Duo-Tone siren, and it is driven by a heavy wire that is hooked to the rotor of the siren. The wire operates a flap that opens and closes as the siren turns, causing a warbling sound. I assume that the one for the Federal Model Q works the same as the smaller models.

 

[Ted Duncan]

Has anyone seen Steve Allen lately? I have lost his number and have not talked to him in a while.

The number on his business card has been disconnected.

 

[Steve Loftin]

A-1 Ambulance (Waco, TX)
1972 Seville combination

(SL collection)

 

[Jeremy D. Ledford]

A friend of mine just sent this to me today! Hope the size is OK!

1974 C/B Oldsmobile 54' Cotington Ambulance. Laurel County Kentucky Resuce Squad. Still owned today!

A friend of mine Kim Frances shot this photo for me!

Sent on Facebook via cellphone, trying to figure out how to blow up!

 

[Jeremy D. Ledford]

A friend of mine just sent this to me today! Hope the size is OK!

1974 C/B Oldsmobile 54' Cotington Ambulance. Laurel County Kentucky Resuce Squad. Still owned today!

A friend of mine Kim Frances shot this photo for me!

Sent on Facebook via cellphone, trying to figure out how to blow up!

OK got a photo emailed to me! Lets see if this works now!

Kim Frances Photo/Jeremy D. Ledford Collection.

 

[Richard Vyse]

NICE Olds and in my favorite color!!!!

 

[Jeremy D. Ledford]

NICE Olds and in my favorite color!!!!

Don't get excited yet Richard! This car was purchased new by Laurel County KY new and is not for sale! It was never a Groves car although I prolly could of had some fun with ya on that one though!

 

[Steve Loftin]

Henderson's - Part I

I visited the Henderson F.H. in Coleman, TX in 1998. Although out of service, they still had this 1972 Seville ambulance that had been converted to a combination by its previous owner. Originally orange and white, it had zippers in all four corners of the headliner in addition to the usual one in the center front. There was also quite a bit of old ambulance equipment in the garage. I would like to have bought the car, but I had two procars at the time and no extra space.

This car reportedly went to California, and the old ambulance goodies are long gone (I didn't say I left empty handed!).

(SL photos)

 

[Steve Loftin]

Henderson's - Part II

This firm had been out of the ambulance business for some time, but still had these two Seville combinations behind the funeral home. The '73 had been used as an ambulance and the '72 as both. Even though they had been sitting for at least 10 years, either car would've been a relatively easy restoration. The '75 Delta 88 in the background had been used as a parts car for the C/Bs.

(SL photos)

 

[Steve Loftin]

On the same Texas trip I found this 1975 Cotington 54 in Brownwood. Originally owned by an area funeral home, Medevac (now defunct) had acquired it after the funeral homes went out. The Wayne Q siren base was lying on the front floor; in retrospect, I wish I'd asked for it while I was there.

I guess I could churn the rumor mill by claiming it the was the only '76 built by C/B, but that's not the case. Apparently it had been involved in an accident and had a '76 clip used in the repair. I wish C/B had offered a '76 model; I think they're much better looking than the '75s.

In case anyone is wondering: The Type II is a Collins and the Suburban a Summers.

(SL photo)

P.S.: Over the years I owned '72, '74, and '76 Custom Cruiser wagons. They were great cars, as roomy and comfortable as they were powerful, and I wish I still had the '76. The Lange brothers, Carl Woerner, Dale Cooper, and Steve Lichtman all had some "seat time" in the '76 while buffing in Oklahoma.

 

[Steve Loftin]

Former Kirk's car

1974 Cotington 48
(ex-City of Tahlequah; now owned and has been nicely restored by PCS member Greg Jeter)

Jeter F.H. (Friendswood, TX)

BEAUTIFUL...what a car!

(GJ photo)

 

[Steve Loftin]

Here are some old Tom Parkinson ambulance photos:

A-1 Ambulance Service (Benecia, CA)
1966 Cotingon 42

A-1 Yolo Ambulance (Woodland, CA)
1965 Seville

Isleton F.D. (Isleton, CA)
1966 Cotington 42

Stockton A.S. (Stockton, CA)
1964 C/B 46"

(SL collection)

 

[Steve Loftin]

1. Scotia First Aid Unit - 1970 Cotington 48

Here's what she looked like at the Hudson meet:

(SL photo)