Superior Ambulance

[James Fischer]

Thought I would share a vintage photo of one of my former employers....Superior Ambulance Service in Sacramento Ca

Superior was started by Mr Louis Warren and his friend the Chief of Police of Sacramento in 1932.
I believe the picture is circa late 50's/early 60's

Funny part is they also ran a Nationwide Trailers for rent franchise out of the same building !
"

 

[John ED Renstrom]

you got to pay to over head some how. but I can see it now "I'll hook up your trailer just as soon as I get back for this call watch to office for me will you".

 

[Adam Borkat]

1959 Miller Meteor Cadillac and two 1959 Flxible Buicks? Comet Buicks maybe? No idea what the trucks are.

 

[John ED Renstrom]

the oval light on the first suburban are not often seen on them. it should be a 57 if those are bumps on the hood tried to clean it up a little it's a nice fleet shop from the good old days. when did you start working for them?

 

[Todd Merrifield]

Suburban on the left appears to be a 57, as Ed said. There are differences each year from 55-57, don't remember what they are off the top of my head, but it looks exactly like my 57, so that's probably accurate. Would love to have any more information on it if any exists (or pictures). Mine had round tunnel lights in front and an oval in the back.

 

[Bill Marcy]

The other Suburban looks to be a 61, or 62.

 

[Chris Carter]

The hood bezel inserts on the Chevy Carry All are 1960.... 60 & 61 had dual headlights....62 was first year for single headlights. Cool pic! Thanks!

 

[James Fischer]

the oval light on the first suburban are not often seen on them. it should be a 57 if those are bumps on the hood tried to clean it up a little it's a nice fleet shop from the good old days. when did you start working for them?

Ed,
You hit the nail on the head,Mr Warren(owner) always said that wasted space was wasted opportunity !
The ambulance "barn" was just that,city horse barn that he bought back in 1932,the top of the barn was converted to 2 offices,his and a billing office there was also a rec room with ping pong and pool tables...Downstairs there was a "pull-thru" in the middle and the horse stalls on either side were converted to sleeping quarters for the crews and also one for the dispatchers office.As the rigs left on calls it was the next crew outs responsibility to advance all the ambulances forward.
Mr Warren had a "firemans pole" installed when he felt the crews were taking to long to go down the stairs,but it was short lived due to the fact that not all the crews were able to use it because of age differences......and a several sprained ankles....
In later years the portion that housed the trailer rental was converted to sick-room supplies sales and service including radio dispatched oxygen delivery to your home !!
I worked for Superior from 73-79.....right out of high school...$1.65hr was BIG money for a 18yo. I would do it all over again,the life expierences
I learned were priceless...:thumbsup:

 

[Jim Ireland]

Superior Rigs

In the later years, I really liked the blue color they chose for their rigs and the chrome wheels.

It was somewhat ironic that they bought M&M (as opposed to Superior), at least for this rig.

 

[James Fischer]

Jim,
Superiors rigs were ALL MM and they were always blue...I believe the one you own was Mike Warrens (son of Louis) personal unit....it has gold leafed "SUPERIOR" all around and chrome oxygen tanks and APCOR and cardiac monitoring equipment in the rear,however it was rarely used since the unit was not on rotation,and went home with Mike every night,but it WAS a looker !!
On the other hand Mikes brother Tim owned Metropolitan Ambulance across town and they ran Superior Cads and Pontiacs....

 

[Jim Ireland]

Superior M&M

Here is a rear shot. I got to work out of a Superior Ambulance Van once-and only once. We had a transfer from Placer County to Stanford (I remember this as a three hour trip). Superior loaned it to us as we did not have any extra rigs at ETS.

 

[Kyle Martin]

ahh.. the lessons of life learned riding a rig cannot be explained to someone who hasn't done it. those were my formative years full of life learnings. the worst of man and the best of man. you can't describe what you have seen to someone as they can't visualize how it was.