Ya, almost everyone says this and it absolutely enrages Dave, The car in the movie was a modified prop that was based on a 1959 Funeral coach so while most people recognize from popular culture the Ghostbuster imagery the two cars couldn't be further apart. This one was in service in Colorado for only 2 years racked up almost 90,000 mi then was mothballed because of changing regulations that saw the move to the van/truck based ambulances we see today. In fact as a Cadillac Commercial chassis this thing has a lot of GMC underneath. I've got a Dana rear end in the garage we took out of a parts car and the brakes look just like my Suburban's. The 500 and Turbo 400 I have came out of this car as we swapped in a drivetrain with 28,000 mi from a parts car hearse.
-- Edited by 73SC on Saturday 21st of March 2020 11:22:20 PM
Carl this thing was a bear to work on, heavy heavy duty all the way. Its got a Generator that must weigh 40 pounds and has to be 15 inches long, two batteries and an auxiliary transformer for all the equipment and lights. It runs on truck tires size and specs which we can't even find due to the white walls. The ones on it are far too old but we keep looking.
-- Edited by 73SC on Saturday 21st of March 2020 11:29:24 PM
That car is quite a sight to see, Id pull it over too. How big a gas tank?
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63 Parisienne sport coupe (The Big GTO), black, maroon interior, 409 4 speed; former owner of a 59 El Camino, 63 Corvette SWC, 62 Chev Bel Air SC. 1963- Pontiac top selling car in Canada
Mahone Bay, NS Still not old enough to need an automatic
I've been driving a 76 Fleetwood lately with a 500, obviously not a fast or nimble car but its got gobs of torque and they are a real engine.I suppose in a smaller vehicle it would be dangerous.
Cool. Has that been your daily winter driver, or only out on salt-free days? Love to see some pics if you have a minute to share them.
Its a restored 1976 Fleetwood Ambulance owned by a friend. It has just been removed from the shop after three years work. A friend owns it and he is meticulous, I've helped him source NOS and near perfect OEM parts as he is not computer literate. Ted Holcombe, the Cadillac King of the Eastern Seaboard has been in my living room for coffee and visit after delivering parts here. I don't exactly know why, and he won't say, but my friend has me drive the car every time its taken out. There are a few details we need to finish like the top vintage cherry has to go on some door alignment and a few chrome bits and roof signage. The original siren in absolutely HAUNTING at full wail. The Cops and Paramedics pull us over just to see it and learn about the car.
Thanks Ray, that's VERY cool! Likely one of the last as you say, since the move went to the van-type ambulances shortly thereafter.
The ambulance is a really cool time capsule, but back to the engine swap topic. I had a 79 Malibu and the 267 was well worn out. This was in the late 80s and I was given a low mileage 455 out of a 1976 Olds 98. I sourced a turbo 350 and a set of Cutlass motor mounts. I put the engine in my Malibu as a cheap source of transportation, not for the power element, I didnt have the money to buy an engine. Well the car was a joy to drive, so smooth and refined feeling, but gobs of torque if you wanted it. I was also surprised by the 20 mpg on the highway due to the 2:41 axle ratio. I would think the stock Caddy engine would be the same.
Since you mentioned that siren I think we need to see a video of it in action.
Well despite his best efforts to get me over to his place to drive the car, I'm social distancing so it will have to wait. His wife is 77 and I'm worried about her more than him.
