Suburban Based Ambulance

Robert Shepard

Robert Shepard

Website Administrator / Past President - Golden St
Super Site Supporter
During my career in emergency ambulance service I had the opportunity to work in a variety of ambulances. These included professional cars, plus conversions based on vans, trucks with modular boxes, RV's, and Suburbans. It was in the mid 1970's that I had a hightop Chevrolet Suburban that was unique. It had rear doors that extended upward into the raised fiberglass roof. If I remember correctly, the roof was taller than what was offered by Wayne or Stoner. It was a rear wheel drive only, yet had a lot of ground clearance. The powerplant was a 454ci "rat motor", making it the fastest ambulance I ever drove. Over 30 years have passed, and I can not recall which conversion company produced it. Please check your photo archives and let me know if you can help me solve this one.


Thanks,

Robert
 
Springfield?

I know Springfield offered extended height doors as an option on it's hightop Internationals. I've never seen a Springfield conversion on another manuafcturers body other than IHC though.
 
The only carryall conversions Springfield did were Travelalls. They later offered IH Type Is, too, as long as the chassis was offered. At the end, Springfield offered Type I, II, and III conversions on Ford and other chassis.

Several carryall ambulance builders, including National, offered an extended rear door option.
 
Reply

Robert, Check the second page of the photo albums for a picture of my 1971 Chevy Zephyr model 54 Ambulance. These units were manufactured by the Modular Company in Texas. I am currently restoring this unit and will post some additional pictures next month. This unit might be what you are speaking about.

lane hobbs
 
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