FE Ambulance

[fe-ambo]

Finally got around to taking some photos of the amulance.

Cheers
Paul

[mcl1959]

Great pics, I look forward to examining it in closer detail.

Ken

[Paul In Ireland]

Now, that's just a beautiful thing, isn't it?


Jealous.
 

[HAMFIST]

so  i missed catching up with ya but to many things on at the same time!!! but was thinking is it a panel van with an extra door or is it a wagon with a door welded up? or did it start out as a panel van with bits used from wagons??

[fe-ambo]

The jury is still out on that one, but think it might have started out as a van.

[mcl1959]

The jury is in - it's a van. labour was cheaper in the late 50's - It was more economical to buy a van and have a body builder put in a third door than to buy a wagon. I have lots of articles from Baileys Motor Body Builders in Melbourne who specialised in this conversion and visited them a couple of times - they still have the special shaped rubbers from the sliding windows!
My van was built by Baileys.

Ken

[zulu]

It looks great Paul, you'd have to be happy with that, what a great piece of our motoring past!

[hrpremier]

Apparently this photo was taken recently when a ship carrying shipping containers made its way into Port Adelaide from Un Zud. 




Jase
http://gallery.oldholden.com/hrpremier/

[Martin]

Nice, Paul.

The "dickie" seat folded down so a 2nd emergency stretcher could go in - but it was shorter than the standard stretcher and hung from the roof when not in use.  When the 2nd stretcher was being used it got a bit crowded in the back, so in most cases the attendant knelt on the front seat and leaned over to attend the patients.  Couldn't see that happening these days. The usual protocol (in SA, at least) was that if the 1st patient was in a serious condition and needed constant attention, a 2nd patient could not be taken.

Interestingly, in later years when EJs and EHs were used, the back doors were specially made to bow outwards so the stretchers would fit in.

Martin

[ubeuty]

I know the guy who rebuilt this here in christchurch after finding it in ST Andrews rotting away. Been around for a while now and didn't even know he had sold it till spotted here. Brassed off about it as I would have brought it myself, never mind, ENJOY. I'm rebuilding a FC Panelvan here and can't wait to get it finished.

[zulu]

ubeauty, I recall seeing this for sale also in the dim distant past, in fact I think it was mentioned at the time here on the Forum

Jase, I wonder how many containers litter the ditch, or world wide for that matter.

So where is this St Andrews? here, or over there

Martin, with the low roof on the FE & FC, I'd be surprised if the Attendant could do much more than pat your forehead with a damp hankie, when I was taking the headlining out of mine I had to just about get out to roll over!

Paul, I'd be grateful if you could send me some close up pics of a few things when you get a chance, I'll send you a PM


Cheers, Gary

 

[fe-ambo]

ubeuty,
It was only a chance that I knew it was for sale. It was mentioned on another site that Ebbett's Prestige Cars had it for sale, but weren't advertising it. I have contacted the two previous owners, but if you happen to know any of its history I would love to hear from you. Best of luck with your restoration.

Jase,
I think that photo is incorrect, I don't think it was that container, maybe the one on the left of it. lol.

Martin,
Thanks for the information in regards to the extra stretcher. By golly it would have to be a short patients as I only just fit on the stretcher that is in it, and I am not that tall. Yeah I had to try it out for comfort and size. It certainly isn't that comfortable, but then again I suppose it wasn't made for comfort, but for practicality.

Gary,
I got your message and will take a few photos soon and email them to you.

I believe that St Andrews is a district in the South Island of New Zealand near Ashburton.

Cheers
Paul

[ubeuty]

Hi ya, Ian Mcdougall was the owner i was talking about, was he one you talked to? St Andrews is about 20 minutes south of Timaru or 2 1/2 hours from Christchurch. I am having problems putting up photos but will dig out some of the ambo once sorted.

[customFC]

Would be interesting to see a pic before the resto was started.
Regards
Alex

[fe-ambo]

For those who were requesting photos before the restoration.
I managed to talk to Ian (the guy who restored it in New Zealand) and he was kind enough to send me a few photos of the restoration. 

This as they pulled it out of the paddock



This is when they pulled it out of the paddock



Restoration begins










Cheers
Paul

[GOA350]

This is just great, i love it. I hope you can let people try out the stretcher at the Nationals, i personally would love to see what it would have looked like if i was on my way to hospital in the back of a FE Ambulance.
 Imagine being on the way to hospital with a busty nurse leaning over the seat to tend to you 

[EffCee]

Paul,

Wow what a transformation. When I saw it with all the ambulance kit in it, I though that someone must have grabbed it just after it finished services as an ambulance. I know that ou mentioned that it had been rotting away, I still somehow thought that it may have been something that someone bought and hadn't done anything with, Obviously not. There is a lot of work that has been undertaken to get it like it looks now.

I look forward to seeing it in Orange

Keith

[zulu]

GOA, I don't think you got the busty nurse till you got to hospital, you'd probably get some beer breathed old bloke in the Ambo

Good to get the resto pics Paul, looks like it wasn't too bad when found, I think I may have a pic of it somewhere when it was for sale prior to you acquiring it

Don't know if this will work, but here is a pic of some lucky bloke, supposedly from 1968



Cheers, Gary

[fe-ambo]

I received this article via email. It appears that all my previous information abouts its history maybe slightly incorrect. If anyone has any leads on where I should hunt next for some of the history I would appreciate it.
I would also love to get the entire magazine, as I only got the single page.
Thanks

[Shayne]

This magazine is still in print and back issues are available http://shop.parksidemedia.co.nz/automotive/automotive/nz-classic-car/back-issues.html.  Unfortunately the issue you have the page from isn't currently listed.  Might be worth a try though to get in touch.  Otherwise keep an eye out on Trademe.co.nz .