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Prototype Ambulance
Topic Started: Jul 30 2013, 07:14 PM (1,077 Views)
cody6268
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Minivan
I remember reading on a diecast emergency vehicle forum and finding an image with a prototype Cadillac Ambulance from the '70s. It was orange and white with a decal of the Star of Life. I guess the Chevy Truck got used instead of the Cadillac. Can anyone tell me more about this model?
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Harvestman
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Captain Slow
Posted Image

Picture courtesy of Swifty.

No information on the model or why it was cancelled, but it is on display at the Matchbox Road Museum in NJ.
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DaWeber
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Station Wagon
Our next Mtg is at The MB Road Museum on 8/17. Will try to remember to ask Everett about the history of this non produced model at that visit.
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cody6268
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Minivan
I wish that Matchbox had released this when they released the current Cadillac Ambulance. The only difference between the original and the current Cadillacs is the interior and coach builder (Miller-Meteor instead of S&S that the original used)
Edited by cody6268, Jul 31 2013, 03:22 PM.
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realgone58
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Station Wagon
Yes, this one would have been great to have. I haven't seen another '77 and up style full size Caddy ambulance in miniature.
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zed300
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Compact
Tomica made a 70s Cadillac Ambulance in the Pocket Cars Series, but I don't know what year it was. I had it when I was little in it's still packed away somewhere.
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juantoo3
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

realgone58
Jul 31 2013, 03:45 PM
Yes, this one would have been great to have. I haven't seen another '77 and up style full size Caddy ambulance in miniature.
Pretty sure '76 was the final year for the Caddy chassis limo style ambulances...although that chassis continued to be used for hearses. I vaguely recall something about new federal regulations as to why the van and truck style ambulances took over at that time. So that might explain why there aren't any more recent limo style ambulances since '76.
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pjedsel
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Muscle Car
juantoo3
Jul 31 2013, 06:34 PM
realgone58
Jul 31 2013, 03:45 PM
Yes, this one would have been great to have. I haven't seen another '77 and up style full size Caddy ambulance in miniature.
Pretty sure '76 was the final year for the Caddy chassis limo style ambulances...although that chassis continued to be used for hearses. I vaguely recall something about new federal regulations as to why the van and truck style ambulances took over at that time. So that might explain why there aren't any more recent limo style ambulances since '76.
Yup the feds came up with specific design requirements for ambulances which is why the Caddy disappeared and the vans and box trucks became the common rig. Ironically those '70's vans, unless they had the high roof, really did not have much more working room than being in the back of the Caddy. The first unit I worked with was on a '70's era Olds chassis. The Caddy's and Olds were "grandfathered" in in those early years of the change over. As for the prototype Matchbox model - it would have been awesome!
"
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realgone58
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Station Wagon
zed300
Jul 31 2013, 03:49 PM
Tomica made a 70s Cadillac Ambulance in the Pocket Cars Series, but I don't know what year it was. I had it when I was little in it's still packed away somewhere.
The Tomica represented a '75-76, the last of the truly full sized Cadillacs.
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cody6268
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Minivan
juantoo3
Jul 31 2013, 06:34 PM
realgone58
Jul 31 2013, 03:45 PM
Yes, this one would have been great to have. I haven't seen another '77 and up style full size Caddy ambulance in miniature.
Pretty sure '76 was the final year for the Caddy chassis limo style ambulances...although that chassis continued to be used for hearses. I vaguely recall something about new federal regulations as to why the van and truck style ambulances took over at that time. So that might explain why there aren't any more recent limo style ambulances since '76.
I think in some European countries they are still making Mercedes car-based ambulances
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pjedsel
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Muscle Car
cody6268
Aug 2 2013, 11:15 AM
juantoo3
Jul 31 2013, 06:34 PM
realgone58
Jul 31 2013, 03:45 PM
Yes, this one would have been great to have. I haven't seen another '77 and up style full size Caddy ambulance in miniature.
Pretty sure '76 was the final year for the Caddy chassis limo style ambulances...although that chassis continued to be used for hearses. I vaguely recall something about new federal regulations as to why the van and truck style ambulances took over at that time. So that might explain why there aren't any more recent limo style ambulances since '76.
I think in some European countries they are still making Mercedes car-based ambulances
A number of European countries still use the car based Mercedes Benz for an ambulance and they are some nice looking rigs. It is interesting to see what various countries use for ambulances based on whatever EMS type regulations they have for the types of vehicles that can be used.
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Lil' '86
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Minivan
Mercedes has ambulance and hearses.

Volvo has ambulances and hearses too.
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David Tilley
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Crazy Matchbox guy
HarvestmanMan
Jul 30 2013, 10:09 PM
Posted Image

Picture courtesy of Swifty.

No information on the model or why it was cancelled, but it is on display at the Matchbox Road Museum in NJ.
This model is a resin sample that was mocked up by one of Lesney's R&D guys in the 1970s. It was a proposal for a model that was never actually commissioned. There are loads of various models that did not make it past this stage, and some that I have seen I have shouted out how awesome it would have looked. But the guys who made the decision at Lesney at the time had other ideas.

I think this would have been a very popular choice. It looks like it was dated roughly around the turn of the decade/early 1980s shortly before they went bankrupt due to the rear wheels on it. They were a mockup wheel for a proposed replacement that never made it either. They have been seen on various models from that era (Porsche 928 in blue, Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II in red and Lincoln Continental). This is why I am estimating it as a proposed 1981 model?!? Or perhaps mocked up in 1981 as a planned 1982 introduction.

Seeing some of the comments on how this is a 1976ish vehicle, maybe after mocking up the resin they did a little more research and thought it was perhaps a little more dated than they wanted and scrapped it with a view to include something a little more modern, but then after the bankruptcy and Universal buyout plans for this type of vehicle were scrapped due to limited funds and never brought back.

Who knows.
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DaWeber
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Station Wagon
Thanks for your excellent input David. Glad you spotted this thread , since I forgot to ask Everett about this proposed model , while at his Museum last Saturday! I'm doing a lot of forgetting as of late , probably due to old age approaching like gangbusters ( literally)!
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realgone58
Member Avatar
Station Wagon
David Tilley
Aug 21 2013, 10:55 AM
HarvestmanMan
Jul 30 2013, 10:09 PM
Posted Image

Picture courtesy of Swifty.

No information on the model or why it was cancelled, but it is on display at the Matchbox Road Museum in NJ.
This model is a resin sample that was mocked up by one of Lesney's R&D guys in the 1970s. It was a proposal for a model that was never actually commissioned. There are loads of various models that did not make it past this stage, and some that I have seen I have shouted out how awesome it would have looked. But the guys who made the decision at Lesney at the time had other ideas.

I think this would have been a very popular choice. It looks like it was dated roughly around the turn of the decade/early 1980s shortly before they went bankrupt due to the rear wheels on it. They were a mockup wheel for a proposed replacement that never made it either. They have been seen on various models from that era (Porsche 928 in blue, Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II in red and Lincoln Continental). This is why I am estimating it as a proposed 1981 model?!? Or perhaps mocked up in 1981 as a planned 1982 introduction.

Seeing some of the comments on how this is a 1976ish vehicle, maybe after mocking up the resin they did a little more research and thought it was perhaps a little more dated than they wanted and scrapped it with a view to include something a little more modern, but then after the bankruptcy and Universal buyout plans for this type of vehicle were scrapped due to limited funds and never brought back.

Who knows.
Not really dated at that time. (1981-82). This particular mock up represents a '77 and up bodystyle, of which was still very much in current production during the time frame the model was planned for.
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cody6268
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Minivan
Would this have been based on the Miller-Meteor Criterion?
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Carworld
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Car Connoisseur
pjedsel
Aug 2 2013, 11:49 AM
cody6268
Aug 2 2013, 11:15 AM
juantoo3
Jul 31 2013, 06:34 PM
realgone58
Jul 31 2013, 03:45 PM
Yes, this one would have been great to have. I haven't seen another '77 and up style full size Caddy ambulance in miniature.
Pretty sure '76 was the final year for the Caddy chassis limo style ambulances...although that chassis continued to be used for hearses. I vaguely recall something about new federal regulations as to why the van and truck style ambulances took over at that time. So that might explain why there aren't any more recent limo style ambulances since '76.
I think in some European countries they are still making Mercedes car-based ambulances
A number of European countries still use the car based Mercedes Benz for an ambulance and they are some nice looking rigs. It is interesting to see what various countries use for ambulances based on whatever EMS type regulations they have for the types of vehicles that can be used.
Well mate I can report to you about Australia.

Down here we currently use Mercedes Benz Sprinter vans as ambulances, with the occasional Volkswagen Transporter, however the VWs are rare.

We also have Subaru Foresters and Skoda Octavian Scouts which are first response vehicles that just rush out to stabilise the patient until the van can get to them.

I can only tell you about it as far back as the early 90s, as I was born in '89 but I do remember from when I was a kid we used to use F-100/F-150s with a 351 V8 (they were bloody quick!) and custom-built body over the top of the tray. We also occasionally had Holden Commodore utes, also with bodies put over the top of the tray. In the outback we used to (and still do) use Toyota LandCruiser Troop Carriers (75-Series).
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ivantt
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New casting? Quick! Take it apart!
A very interesting read from our members on a subject which I know little about. Excellent contributions such as above make this site priceless to me. :) :thumbup:
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cody6268
Member Avatar
Minivan
Carworld
Aug 28 2013, 04:54 AM
pjedsel
Aug 2 2013, 11:49 AM
cody6268
Aug 2 2013, 11:15 AM
juantoo3
Jul 31 2013, 06:34 PM
realgone58
Jul 31 2013, 03:45 PM
Yes, this one would have been great to have. I haven't seen another '77 and up style full size Caddy ambulance in miniature.
Pretty sure '76 was the final year for the Caddy chassis limo style ambulances...although that chassis continued to be used for hearses. I vaguely recall something about new federal regulations as to why the van and truck style ambulances took over at that time. So that might explain why there aren't any more recent limo style ambulances since '76.
I think in some European countries they are still making Mercedes car-based ambulances
A number of European countries still use the car based Mercedes Benz for an ambulance and they are some nice looking rigs. It is interesting to see what various countries use for ambulances based on whatever EMS type regulations they have for the types of vehicles that can be used.
Well mate I can report to you about Australia.

Down here we currently use Mercedes Benz Sprinter vans as ambulances, with the occasional Volkswagen Transporter, however the VWs are rare.

We also have Subaru Foresters and Skoda Octavian Scouts which are first response vehicles that just rush out to stabilise the patient until the van can get to them.

I can only tell you about it as far back as the early 90s, as I was born in '89 but I do remember from when I was a kid we used to use F-100/F-150s with a 351 V8 (they were bloody quick!) and custom-built body over the top of the tray. We also occasionally had Holden Commodore utes, also with bodies put over the top of the tray. In the outback we used to (and still do) use Toyota LandCruiser Troop Carriers (75-Series).
The Aussie Ford truck ambulances are pretty cool. I've seen them on TV. Wasn't there a diecast one as part of a James Bond line?
Edited by cody6268, Aug 29 2013, 07:17 PM.
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Carworld
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Car Connoisseur
cody6268
Aug 29 2013, 07:16 PM
Carworld
Aug 28 2013, 04:54 AM
pjedsel
Aug 2 2013, 11:49 AM
cody6268
Aug 2 2013, 11:15 AM
juantoo3
Jul 31 2013, 06:34 PM
realgone58
Jul 31 2013, 03:45 PM
Yes, this one would have been great to have. I haven't seen another '77 and up style full size Caddy ambulance in miniature.
Pretty sure '76 was the final year for the Caddy chassis limo style ambulances...although that chassis continued to be used for hearses. I vaguely recall something about new federal regulations as to why the van and truck style ambulances took over at that time. So that might explain why there aren't any more recent limo style ambulances since '76.
I think in some European countries they are still making Mercedes car-based ambulances
A number of European countries still use the car based Mercedes Benz for an ambulance and they are some nice looking rigs. It is interesting to see what various countries use for ambulances based on whatever EMS type regulations they have for the types of vehicles that can be used.
Well mate I can report to you about Australia.

Down here we currently use Mercedes Benz Sprinter vans as ambulances, with the occasional Volkswagen Transporter, however the VWs are rare.

We also have Subaru Foresters and Skoda Octavian Scouts which are first response vehicles that just rush out to stabilise the patient until the van can get to them.

I can only tell you about it as far back as the early 90s, as I was born in '89 but I do remember from when I was a kid we used to use F-100/F-150s with a 351 V8 (they were bloody quick!) and custom-built body over the top of the tray. We also occasionally had Holden Commodore utes, also with bodies put over the top of the tray. In the outback we used to (and still do) use Toyota LandCruiser Troop Carriers (75-Series).
The Aussie Ford truck ambulances are pretty cool. I've seen them on TV. Wasn't there a diecast one as part of a James Bond line?
I doubt it. In over fifty years I don't think 007 has ever been to Australia.
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cody6268
Member Avatar
Minivan
Carworld
Aug 30 2013, 01:01 AM
cody6268
Aug 29 2013, 07:16 PM
Carworld
Aug 28 2013, 04:54 AM
pjedsel
Aug 2 2013, 11:49 AM
cody6268
Aug 2 2013, 11:15 AM
juantoo3
Jul 31 2013, 06:34 PM
realgone58
Jul 31 2013, 03:45 PM
Yes, this one would have been great to have. I haven't seen another '77 and up style full size Caddy ambulance in miniature.
Pretty sure '76 was the final year for the Caddy chassis limo style ambulances...although that chassis continued to be used for hearses. I vaguely recall something about new federal regulations as to why the van and truck style ambulances took over at that time. So that might explain why there aren't any more recent limo style ambulances since '76.
I think in some European countries they are still making Mercedes car-based ambulances
A number of European countries still use the car based Mercedes Benz for an ambulance and they are some nice looking rigs. It is interesting to see what various countries use for ambulances based on whatever EMS type regulations they have for the types of vehicles that can be used.
Well mate I can report to you about Australia.

Down here we currently use Mercedes Benz Sprinter vans as ambulances, with the occasional Volkswagen Transporter, however the VWs are rare.

We also have Subaru Foresters and Skoda Octavian Scouts which are first response vehicles that just rush out to stabilise the patient until the van can get to them.

I can only tell you about it as far back as the early 90s, as I was born in '89 but I do remember from when I was a kid we used to use F-100/F-150s with a 351 V8 (they were bloody quick!) and custom-built body over the top of the tray. We also occasionally had Holden Commodore utes, also with bodies put over the top of the tray. In the outback we used to (and still do) use Toyota LandCruiser Troop Carriers (75-Series).
The Aussie Ford truck ambulances are pretty cool. I've seen them on TV. Wasn't there a diecast one as part of a James Bond line?
I doubt it. In over fifty years I don't think 007 has ever been to Australia.
I did some research, and the ambulance was a Chevy C-10, not a Ford
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James
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Mr.Bowtie
They could of done a better job with the wheel cutouts on teh fenders. too big, but I would buy one in a heartbeat if I saw one on the pegs.
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Carworld
Member Avatar
Car Connoisseur
cody6268
Aug 30 2013, 02:18 PM
Carworld
Aug 30 2013, 01:01 AM
cody6268
Aug 29 2013, 07:16 PM
Carworld
Aug 28 2013, 04:54 AM
pjedsel
Aug 2 2013, 11:49 AM
cody6268
Aug 2 2013, 11:15 AM
juantoo3
Jul 31 2013, 06:34 PM
realgone58
Jul 31 2013, 03:45 PM
Yes, this one would have been great to have. I haven't seen another '77 and up style full size Caddy ambulance in miniature.
Pretty sure '76 was the final year for the Caddy chassis limo style ambulances...although that chassis continued to be used for hearses. I vaguely recall something about new federal regulations as to why the van and truck style ambulances took over at that time. So that might explain why there aren't any more recent limo style ambulances since '76.
I think in some European countries they are still making Mercedes car-based ambulances
A number of European countries still use the car based Mercedes Benz for an ambulance and they are some nice looking rigs. It is interesting to see what various countries use for ambulances based on whatever EMS type regulations they have for the types of vehicles that can be used.
Well mate I can report to you about Australia.

Down here we currently use Mercedes Benz Sprinter vans as ambulances, with the occasional Volkswagen Transporter, however the VWs are rare.

We also have Subaru Foresters and Skoda Octavian Scouts which are first response vehicles that just rush out to stabilise the patient until the van can get to them.

I can only tell you about it as far back as the early 90s, as I was born in '89 but I do remember from when I was a kid we used to use F-100/F-150s with a 351 V8 (they were bloody quick!) and custom-built body over the top of the tray. We also occasionally had Holden Commodore utes, also with bodies put over the top of the tray. In the outback we used to (and still do) use Toyota LandCruiser Troop Carriers (75-Series).
The Aussie Ford truck ambulances are pretty cool. I've seen them on TV. Wasn't there a diecast one as part of a James Bond line?
I doubt it. In over fifty years I don't think 007 has ever been to Australia.
I did some research, and the ambulance was a Chevy C-10, not a Ford
That actually reminds me. We also had GMC ambulances specially imported by Holden just for the ambulance service.

We definitely had Ford ambulances they were all over the place as I was growing up. If you search for "Australian Ford ambulance" on google images they come up if you want to know what they looked like.

Chevrolet hasn't been in Australia since the 1960s, and even then they were very rare. We get Camaros, Corvettes, and Silverados as private imports but GM has nothing to do with it.
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funeralxempire
SUV
When I read the thread title I was hoping for a Porsche 962 ambulance. :wub:
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cody6268
Member Avatar
Minivan
funeralxempire
Sep 2 2013, 09:47 PM
When I read the thread title I was hoping for a Porsche 962 ambulance. :wub:
Actually, Porsche uses a Cayenne as their plant ambulance, and there are a few Cayennes in use in Stuttgart as Notarzt (German for doctor) cars. Guess that brings a whole new meaning to the words "fast response"

Many auto manufacturers choose to use their own models as their ambulance. For example Volkswagen's entire Fire Dept. fleet is made up of VW Crafters.
Edited by cody6268, Sep 8 2013, 06:23 PM.
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