FC 2104 Ambulance

[NosFEratu]

Hi Gary

So what's the "next one"?

Kathi  8)



NB: This thread was originally part of FC 219 Standard Wagon restoration

[zulu]

Hi Kathi, it's a toss up between a Queensland FC Ambulance Panelvan




Or a FC 3 door Panelvan (Bailey Conversion)



The Wagon we have just done was a major resto, so at the moment I'm leaning towards the green one as it is a lot less work. But the Ambo would be a lot more fun to drive.

Cheers, Gary

[Johns]

Go on Gary, do the ambo, you know you want to 8)

John

[pedro]

A hard choice but the ambulance would be a classic, can't say i've ever seen an FC with rear doors instead of a tailgate, it would look good besides Zulus cop car 8)

[EffCee]

Gary,

Are you going to do the FC Ambulance in the old QATB colours like it would have had originally? I have never seen an FC ambulance before, love the rear doors, I assume that the back doors would have been done by a coach/body builder.

It looks to be a 219? Or was there a different number given to ambulances?

Sorry for all the questions, I am just very interested in the car.

Keith

[FC427]

Pedro Aussie Speed are making the side plates and the rocker covers and H bolts for the Grey  I spoke to Mark at Aussie Speed last week and forgot to ask if the first run had been cast .......FC427......

I had an email from Mark at Aussie Speed this morning and he is very close to finishing the sideplate and the grey engine headers.......FC427.......

[NosFEratu]

Hi  Gary

Go the ambulance! 

Do you have an FE/FC fire services vehicle tucked away somewhere so you can have the complete Emergency Services set? That would be fun!  :D

Kathi  8)

[ridgey_didge]

Gary,

The ambulance is really interesting.  What is its history? - there is a business name on the door by the look of it.  Do you know what it has been used for since being an ambulance?

Cheers
David

[mcl1959]

Surprisingly the ambulance doors were available through GMH as an extra - I can find the ad if people are interested.

Ken

[EffCee]

Ken,

I for one would love to see the ad for the ambulance doors.  Were there different body numbers issued for ambulances, ie other than 219 or 229?

Keith

[customFC]

FIRE!!



Regards
Alex

[EffCee]

Alex,

Well done with the photoshop or whatever program you used. Looks magnificent. A three door bailey conversion for the Fire Brigade.

Keith

[zulu]

Thanks Alex, I was going to keep that one under wraps until I'd finished the Ambo  ::)
Any how, now it's out there, does anyone have a +++++++++++++++ size period uniform ?
Regards, Gary

[FC427]

Alex COOL for us simple folks how do you make that happen [PRESTO] NEW CAR ........FC427......

[NosFEratu]

Well aren't you a little smarty pants Alex?  Well done!  ;D

Kathi  8)
F4 ;)

[zulu]

Alex is a Master at this sort of stuff, my eyes nearly popped out when I saw that!

For those that are interested, the QATB (Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade) Ambulance FC is a Panelvan 2104 not a wagon

It was converted when new by Hedges Body Works Qld, (I think the back doors Ken is referring to is the rear side door) The rear barn doors & the rear side door were fitted by the bodyworks along with split bench seat, full headliner with extra light, rear fold up attendants seat, black glass



The Holden dealer that sold the Van to "Boonah Centre Ambulance" fitted 2 rear Winter tread tyres and a sunvisor at time of sale

It was decommissioned & sold in 1969, it was used by Dover & Sons Boonah to deliver tractor parts to local farms, then as a yard car for a timber mill, it then nearly went to god at a wreckers, but was saved by the bloke I bought it off in Beaudesert, he had it partly dismantled under his house.

It has all it's original black glass, siren & light buttons, seats etc, here is a pic of the front seat, it's not unlike the seat in Robins Panelvan



It still has it's original Ambo signwriting outlining along the sides & back although it does not show in pics



I have members of this site to thank for finding it, it was advertised here for sale, so keep an eye on the for sale section, also, if you become a paid member of the club, you will have access to the "for sale to club members only
section" which often has interesting items for sale.

I will be restoring it to original, or as close as I can within reason, it was originally India Ivory & the Ambulace cream has just been sprayed over the top.

Cheers, Gary

[FC427]

That is such a Treasure you lucky thing to own that car .......FC427.....

[EffCee]

Gary,

I am surprised to find that they converted a Panel Van to an Ambulance and didn't make it from a Station Sedan. It seems to be a lot of extra work to fit the two side doors when they came factory with them in the wagon. In either case the rear doors would have to be remade, but I would assume that the rear doors would have been similiar on hearses too.

Keith
F4 : ;)

[NosFEratu]

Very interesting history Gary.  Thanks

Kathi  8)
F4  ;)

[RET]

Gary,

I am surprised to find that they converted a Panel Van to an Ambulance and didn't make it from a Station Sedan. It seems to be a lot of extra work to fit the two side doors when they came factory with them in the wagon. In either case the rear doors would have to be remade, but I would assume that the rear doors would have been similiar on hearses too.

Keith
F4 : ;)

Like the Bailey conversion, the Ambo is a panel-van with a third door. It doesn't have a 4th door on the LHS. Have a close look at the shelving on either side in the last photo.

As a general rule, standard wagons are very rare now because they didn't sell particularly well then. They cost substantially more than a van, and not much less than a Special wagon. Very much a car without a market...

RET