WANTED: squad bench needed for '59 S&S Hightop

[Joe Puleo]

The restoration is progressing on my '59 Cadillac S&S Hightop. We cleaned the floor and determined that the car had a squad bench. There is a shadow on the floor as well as screw holes. Does anyone have a bench that they would sell? Or the trim and rails from a bench? Would appreciate any help.

 

[John ED Renstrom]

you best bet would be to look over all the pictures you can and build one. I have no Ida if the use steel or wood. but you do a least have the shape with your holes. this is the only one I have

 

[Peter Grave - Deceased - 1938 - 2022]

I have a few ambulances in the yard you are welcome to come look measure and remove for a lowprice if it helps you. I do not think we are far from you.

 

[Joe Puleo]

thanks Peter. Do you know if any have a bench?

 

[Peter Grave - Deceased - 1938 - 2022]

I will try to check tomorrow I beleive they all do but will check standby

 

[Paul Steinberg]

Not trying to kill the deal for Pete, however, if you have the shadow of where the squad bench was, then you have all you need to reproduce one for the car. They were made of 3/4" plywood, and covered with laminate. The top of the box (seat) was hinged at the back end with a piano hinge, and the top where you sat, had a 3 or 4 inch foam covered with the same vinyl as the interior. If you want to be exacting, then look at how they were built in later S&S ambulances. It rarely changed in looks, only dimensions.

 

[Joe Puleo]

thanks for the suggestion Paul, but then I would have to find all of the aluminum/stainless moldings and the flip-down safety bar assembly. Building one isn't out of the question, but it would be my last resort.

 

[Paul Steinberg]

The moldings and stainless are proprietary to S&S, so whatever you find, unless it is a S&S squad bench, it going to be out of place. If you build one yourself and later on find the correct S&S squad bench, you can put the moldings onto the one you built. No matter what you find, most likely, it is going to need to be rebuilt, because after almost 60 years, it is going to be in poor condition.

 

[David Henry]

I have a 74 S/S Ambulance with a squad bench, I can do some measurements and photos if you think that will help.

 

[Joe Puleo]

I took everyone's advice and built the squad bench from scratch. The you Peter for supplying the flip-up rail. Here are some pics

 

[Peter Grave - Deceased - 1938 - 2022]

Looking good I love it when a plan comes together. A well done to you.

 

[Tim Prieur]

Beautiful work Joe.

 

[John ED Renstrom]

looks better then S&S did. they probably never had a full back on theirs.

 

[David Henry]

Excellent job, nice craftsmanship

 

[Joe Puleo]

thanks guys

 

[Bill Marcy]

That squad bench looks very impressive, you do beautiful work Joe!

 

[Dan Brintlinger]

Amazing!

This looks like another example of the restoration being better than the original factory unit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!