53 ambulance

[65-deluxe]

So , I realise there were a few questions about this bus when it was first for sale on here .

It was purchased and shipped to a guy in the UK , who , upon receiving it decided it may be a bit too ambitious for him and he put it for sale here .

I viewed it some months ago and a deal was struck .
I managed to get it picked up this weekend .

Various shots on the transporter when it was picked up .

I now have it in my workshop and I have begun to have a little play .

I will add more pictures as I delve in - Im sure I will have lots of questions which hopefully you knowledgable folks will help me with .

Thanks Jon

[65-deluxe]

Made some time this week to have a look into the ambulance .

Ive done it on multiple posts with lots of pictures and could do with some some help please in a little bit of identifying parts .

I started on the back end - Just for Wren

The engine cover looks to just be a cut up "normal" barndoor lid -
It has 3 sprung hinges on it which is a bit overkill but a nice feature

Rear hatch also appears to be made of an engine cover joined to the top panel - someone added a window a long time ago and the welding can be seen ( not in photo ) where it was let in - This will be replaced with metal as it would have been originally - Making it a 10 window bus

In the cover over the engine there is an inspection hatch to get to the engine

This is the hatch from below - sorry for crap pictures but forgot camera .
This looks too good to be an add on after and im sure I have seen this hatch on other BD ambulances - Conformation would be great

The valance I have - Would like to know if this is correct for a Feb 53

Valance is in great condition

This is the hatch above the engine as viewed from in the back of the bus

The picture is a 90 degrees but there is also a hatch above the petrol tank - dont think this is original as its quite crude - again would be interested in the facts - Tank is also like nothing else ive seen but it would have to be custom made in factory for the ambulance so you never know - Ill get pictures of the tank when I can

I do have covers for the hatches but these are certainly not correct .

More to follow

[65-deluxe]

Next on to the seats .

The front seats are really solid and clean - the covers are shot but you cant have everything - From the research I have done these are correct for my 53

On to the middle seat - Not a 6 leg - so not correct

The springs look to be later and the 4 legs are at roughly 90 degrees to the seat base - Would be very interested in identity of this - I need one for my samba as well !!

Rear seat base

This has 2 legs and a wooden base - I understand this is possibly correct in certain markets

The upper section of the rear seat has this trim panel on the back - this is the same trim as inside the bus - very similar vinyl as the interior of my Zwitter ( Dec 52 ) so could be original ? more pictures of the trim in a bit

In order to help identify these I opened them up to show the springs

As you can see they are both filled with single springs

[65-deluxe]

With all the seats out of the way I took out the trim and got to see the floor etc for the first time

This is where it all gets a bit weird - I think its best described as being like a factory prototype of what was to come in 1955 .

Although it has had a small number of repairs im 100% sure this is the original floor - and other than the outer inch or so its really good - even the join to the firewall and the bulkhead are good

More detail of the rear end - I guess the upright tube is for the heater duct originally

Hidden behind the trim on the long panel are the original uprights - both had fallen out due to corrosion and they are propped up here .
It has also been suggested that the bus was a " service bus " rather than a full on ambulance - The headliner was what prompted that thought , however the total lack of evidence for fittings on the sides and the floor ( no runners etc ) would maybe point that way too - The only fitting on the floor is the normal threaded bar fitting with a clamp and butterfly nut . This can be seen in this picture

More detail of the front bulkhead - bulge for the spare wheel just like a later model

The trim removed from the front bulkhead - again very factory looking and in the same brown vinyl - possibly from a post 55 bus

some detail of the trim at the back - very well done and again could be factory

Close up of the fabric

The trim is the same in the front as the rear

The headlining detail in the front

[65-deluxe]

A bit of detail of the ambulance fresh air vent - These were used on the early models prior to the behr intakes mounted on the front

Chrome finish is flaking off

Poor photo of the front of the box inside

The intake on the roof

Interestingly the engine , although obviously not original it has a number stamped on it - number dates it to dec 52 so could be original number

The birth certificate as supplied by previous owner

Moving into the cab - Having cleaned it out I can get a good look - Again its like a factory prototype - very weird

Gear stick mount , heater knob and possibly choke outlet ?

The adjusted bulkhead

Drivers seat top

Spare wheel hole

The tool chest

Passenger seat top

[65-deluxe]

Speedo pod looks good as does speedo and switches

Look a load of electrical tape off the wheel expecting a nightmare under neath , but it doesnt even have a crack , just needs paint in the centre and arms

Jesus bar

Foot bar - cab floor is also pretty good

Pedal cluster

Floor plate

Rear view mirror - Is this correct ?

I have 2 of these - Dust covers ? one loose and one on the front wheel

Original front badge - looks good as well

So all in all looking not bad and im very happy .

I cant wait to get into this in a big way , just need the money now

[djfordmanjack]

terrific project !
floor, front bulkhead with shifter/heater/choke and rear apron seem to be original ! I'd leave as much of the possibly original to the build stuff alone. pretty wild history and nice details !
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[Stetoppingphoto]

Nice, looks very interesting
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stetoppingphoto

[harryv]

Alright Jon, its jay with the SC at volksfest, good luck with the resto and hope to see it in the future!!
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59 Deluxe

WHUFC.

[65-deluxe]

Hi Jay ,
Great to meet you at the weekend .
I cant wait to get in - I have had a little play with the rear hatch and have started to remove the window that shouldnt be there .
Hopefully Metal will come back with friends from Germany over the next few weeks and I can sort the chassis out .
If you are passing this way give me a bell and pop in .
I get down to Exeter occasionally so will let you know if we are about .

[65-deluxe]

So , Last weekend I trailered the ambulance to a local show where it scared a fair few people .
Sun was out and good weekend was had by all .
My youngest seems to have taken a liking to it !!

Once it arrived back I was itching to get into it , so managed to get an hour or 2 on it when customer stuff way finished .

Whilst I wait for some parts to come back from Germany when people return from H.O. and EBI I decided I would start on the most annoying bit .

The rear hatch .

The hatch has had this window put in it at some point - using a die grinder I set about finding where it had been let in

You can see the welds here

Once I had got the line of where it was all welded I cut out the let in piece and carried on cleaning the multiple layers or paint and filler off .

The top section is in very good condition and only has a few small dents - this is the worst of them - so no major hassles here

Still cleaning it back - need to take handle off before I get too close

Cleaning the bottom section off - under all of the paint and filler is the original ambulance paint

The centre section has some filler and a repair has been done to the right

Removal of the inner window mount on the inside

Both sides cleaned up ok and will be good once its all straight .

More to follow

[65-deluxe]

I have found a little time to do a bit more .
Not very exciting but I am taking time to understand how it was made and possibly why it was done that way .

I finished removing all the paint and filler etc from the hatch
Still not too scary

The area at the bottom of the hatch will require some work , not least of which to get the hatch off and preserve the hinge mechanism - This is sandwiched between 2 L shaped pieces of metal and both are dead .

I also had a look at the rear corners - The right one had seen some sort of impact and was quite badly dented

A little work with the dolly and bumping file and its looking better already .

more to follow

[sleepywiesel]

This is such an nice car. congrats!
The engine looks weird. The Generator stand is mounted onto the engine case. But it should be one piece. Looks like someone took an newer engine case and stamped an old number in.
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'59 beetle
'60 beetle

[65-deluxe]

[Chad M]

I suppose your question about the rear view mirror being correct was in reference to the era not so much this particular bus? If I understand right this bus wouldn't have had anything to look back through.

[65-deluxe]

[Jacks]

Years ago, the school bus I rode in had a large interior mirror that allowed the driver to see what was going on with the passengers behind him. I suppose that feature could be useful in an ambulance.
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Jack Staggs
Actual name

[65-deluxe]

[65-deluxe]

Going back to the rear window - I decided that as the profile is so similar and the metal would be very similar in make up that I would use a section from the very bad side to fill in the rear window - So out with the grinder

Once it was cut to approx size I clico'd it in place

Once in place and I was happy with the profile I could mark it up ready for cutting

Once cut and having cleaned the edges I used small nuts and bolts with washers on to locate the panel

Very slowly tacked in place - each weld cooled as I went

[Djoul]

whow...

good luck for this resto, I love ambulances...
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"please, excuse my bad English...."

69 CLIPPER-L
74 WESTY
68 BUG
73 THING

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE A BUS!