Possible purchase of a 75 MM Criterion Ambulance...Opinions??

T

Taban Beigali

Hey all!

There's a 1975 Miller Meteor Criterion Ambulance that I've been eye-ing for purchase for the past couple years, but the thing is that its not been run for a few years (I think like 6 or 7 years at most).

The outside body is pretty good, except for a few minor rust spots, but it does need a new paint job all around. Inside is not bad just needs cleaning. I believe it's the original engine and transmission (don't know the mileage).

With all these things in mind, does anyone have a rough idea of a good price that it's worth for purchase?

Just curious if anyone has any pointers or opinions for these Criterions?...


Thank you,
Tabz
 
Purchase of 75MM

It all depends on how bad you really want it and it is more a buyers market, I, site un seen would maybe start at 800-1500 dollars and maybe start even lower and see what the current owner wants for it. With its age you would most likely not be able to have it certified for active service and the engine could be a 472 or 500 CID The 472 is easier to work on and gets better fuel economy The condition sounds reasonable for its location and if you can save it from a salvage yard try it, you can always go up in your offer but hopefully you won't overpay. These cars parts can add up fast when getting new and reconditioned parts. Good luck
 
If it is a 75 it should have a 500 engine as the 75 and 76 caddy did. Not as desirable an engine as the 472. You will need to buy it as if it will never run and you don't know why it was parked or what it will take to get it running. Another factor is if the lights and sirens are still on it and what type it has. With what info you have offered I would try to get for $1000 to $2000 and if you are lucky you can get it running and come out ok. I was told they only made 150 criterions from 73-76. THe one I just bought has serious body issues and I bought based on not being able to get running and parting out if need be being it had the lights and sirens in place. I got lucky and with little effort she now runs and drives great, just got to fix the brakes line that is leaking. I believe my car had not been started in at least 10 years and maybe up to 20 as last plate was from 1990 where it was last in service.
 
Just to throw a number into the mix, my '75 Criterion, which I bought last year, was $4,000.00 U.S. (plus shipping etc.) with a lot of body work required. They didn't charge me any extra for the rust.
 
Doug House said:
Just to throw a number into the mix, my '75 Criterion, which I bought last year, was $4,000.00 U.S. (plus shipping etc.) with a lot of body work required. They didn't charge me any extra for the rust.
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Right Doug, I think mine was cheaper to ship because it weighed less than they expected from alot of it being gone and the further they hauled it the lighter it got! Hehehe!
 
Todd Merrifield said:
I should mention also that the ones I saw had at least $1000+ worth of working lights and sirens on them. Makes a big difference.
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As Todd mentioned if it has the lights and sirens and depending on which ones will make major price difference. I payed for mine based on a car that was rusty, didn't run, may never run, may be worth more for parts, but after I got it running and driving I would not part it and was a better deal than I had hoped for. The shipping did cost me almost what I paid for the car but all that was factored in when I negotiated price with seller.
 
Danny Ryder said:
Right Doug, I think mine was cheaper to ship because it weighed less than they expected from alot of it being gone and the further they hauled it the lighter it got! Hehehe!
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So maybe I should re-trace the route yours took, Danny. I might find some of the parts I need at the side of the road! :drive2:
 
so if you want the car, can fix, it get it. if you looking to get it for a investment fold your money over and put it in the other pocket. these cars are a money pit and you need to look at it as the most fun you can have for your money. the 75 year has most all the parts still on the market. that is with the exception of the MM stuff no longer being made. so judge your skill level agents you pocket book before you decide the price you pay for the car is the cheapest part. but if you can get a complete car with the lights on it for under 3gs home then I would say your doing about as fair as the market will bear on that type of car.
 
John ED Renstrom said:
so if you want the car, can fix, it get it. if you looking to get it for a investment fold your money over and put it in the other pocket. these cars are a money pit and you need to look at it as the most fun you can have for your money. the 75 year has most all the parts still on the market. that is with the exception of the MM stuff no longer being made. so judge your skill level agents you pocket book before you decide the price you pay for the car is the cheapest part. but if you can get a complete car with the lights on it for under 3gs home then I would say your doing about as fair as the market will bear on that type of car.
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Good advise John, I got mine out today and ran couple miles down the road and back and boy was that fun. It is amazing how good it runs and drives to have been sitting for sooo many years. Now if it only had brakes.:wowguy:
 
with a set of 235x15 tires on it, the lights and back board box removed it will fit in a 7 foot garage door. but the garage had better be 23 feet deep. all together you will need a 9x8 foot hole to get it threw. unless there are some weird lights on it.
 
Thanks for the responses!

I spoke with the owner before, sometime last year. He wanted something like 10k for the criterion, but I'm going to try and get it down to 5k max, as I don't think its worth more.

..Funny thing was that he started @ 20k to see if I was really dumb enough that I would agree...lol.

Anyways, It does have all the lights on it, don't know if they work though. And he "says" it will run if a new battery goes in there..but who knows,... ill have to actually go out there and check it out for myself.

Has anyone used shipping companies to get these massive boats from one state to another? any recommendations?

-Tabz
 
Other than the state of not running, what state is it located in?? Non running cars cost more to move than running cars.
 
Taban, place a free ad on uship.com. Be sure to include specifics: location, height, length, weight, inop, instructions, other parameters, etc. Transport companies will then undercut each other until a bid is accepted. Within 3-4 days the bids will get pretty low as many are looking for work.

After hearing many positives about the service, I finally had an opportunity to use uship last year. Couldn't be happier with the shipping company I ended up chosing. Service, delivery time, and price were top notch! Ended up costing $525 to have an inop '58 Superior moved from CO to TX; or a whopping .57 cents a mile. I'll find the company's info if you'd like it.

Good luck with your acquisition. Without pictures, $4-5k does seem more realistic.
 
Hi, Taban....just so you have the information on file, the Criterion is approximately 90" tall, including 184 Beacon and backboard box. This may vary slightly depending on tire size or different lighting. If you are shipping by train, as I did across Canada with mine, you're allowed a maximum of 8 feet.

Good luck with your project!
 
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