It is my pleasure to feature Scott MacKenzie's beautiful 1951 Pontiac Chieftain Sedan Delivery for October. This car has a wonderful history as it served as an ambulance for the town of Coquitlam, BC. Without further adieu here's Scott's story about this one of a kind Pontiac:

The Grey Ghost

I started with the District of Coquitlam Fire Department in 1980.  On my first day I saw the Grey Ghost parked at the back of the #1 Hall looking very forlorn.  At that point I didn’t know we would become great friends.

Coquitlam bought it in 1951 after fund raising events.  It was converted into an ambulance by a local automotive shop. Custom side windows and a Federal Model L siren light were installed on the body.  The interior was fitted with a two way radio, custom deck, attendant’s stool and a stretcher system.  

It was nicknamed “The Grey Ghost” after responding to a call on a foggy fall night. The story goes that the patient, who was laying on the sidewalk, described to the firefighters that the ambulance was “like a grey ghost appearing out of the fog”.

It served as Coquitlam’s ambulance from 1951 until 1971 when it was replaced by a new Ford Econoline ambulance.  It remained in reserve status until 1977.

A colleague and I cleaned it up and started taking it to an annual Fire Department event and parade in a neighboring community in 1983.  The body was in rough shape but she ran great.

The 6 cylinder, 239 ci L head engine had only 16,900 miles it.  Driving her with the three speed manual shift on the column took a bit of getting used to for me.

In 1989 money was allotted for a body restoration.  The decision was made to not touch the interior to keep it authentic.

In around the mid 90’s the big annual Fire Festival and parade was cancelled and the Ghost lived at the back of one of the halls under a cover. She rarely got out for exercise.  Nobody knew how to drive “three on the tree”!

I retired in 2014 and in 2017 after asking to borrow her for a single car show I was asked if I would be her custodian.  I jumped at the opportunity!

The department’s mechanic gave her a tune up, new brakes, new radiator and adjusted the clutch.  I spend hours cleaning and detailing which included removing a mouse nest from the interior.  The summer of 2018 the Ghost showed at six events.

In the spring of 2019 we had the seats and door panels reupholstered.

  That summer she attended 10 events and won “Best In Show” at one, and “Best Interior” at another.  Both events had over 500 vehicles in attendance. The Interior Judge said to me that looking inside the Ghost was like visiting a museum.  Numerous attendees at car shows agree that the interior should not be restored, but left in its unique “time capsule” condition.

No car shows this year because of Covid but hopefully next year I’ll have the Grey Ghost back on the circuit!