John K. sent me the link to this Craigslist ad, for something a bit out of the mainstream for you Cornbinder fans: a 1970 Travelall 4WD ambulance, by Springfield. Just don’t get too excited yet, as it has a few issues.
As is obvious, this is an extended wheelbase unit, based on the 1200 series Travelall. And one of the major issues is already visible here.
The ad says: “Body has rust“. That’s something of an understatement.
And it’s not just the wheel wells and rockers.
It’s the floor and… the sellers claims “The frame is solid”. Well, that’s possible, as these were pretty tough frames. It appears that this extended frame must have come from the factory, as there’s no signs of it being extended with plugs later.
That’s a 392 V8 sitting there. “Motor does not turn over (most likely from sitting), currently has mystery oil in the cylinders, no further effort to start it has been made“. Well, if it has Mystery Oil in the cylinders, it must be good to go. No worries on that account.
Looks like a wee bit of rust has made it into this area too. Makes me wonder how long the hood will stay on.
Looks like the original console with all the controls for the lights, siren and whatever is still there. Seller says “21k miles showing on the odometer unsure if it has rolled over“. Does it matter?
Would make a great restoration project or go anywhere overland RV camping vehicle. Looks like that’s already how it was being used last, as I doubt they put the patients on that plywood bed.
That seat is obviously still original.
The Springfield ambulance was uncommon, I have not confirmed the number built but saw another ad claiming only three high top Springfield Internationals were made this year. Sold with bill of sale only. As-Is. Price is firm. Probably as firm as its body.
Geeez, doesn’t even have the title? Dropping the zero off the ask might be a start.
You know it’s extra capable when it’s a 4×4 and has 4WD as well. 🙂
It’ll look great sitting in someone’s front yard providing the impetus for the organization of another HOA. The plates indicate it’s in/from Maine, so it’s maine-ly rust but for Maine cars this seems relatively rust-free, no?
Typical CL hyperbole.
Body has rust? At this point it’s more like rust has body.
What a cool vehicle though, I wonder what outdoorsy misadventures this ambulance was summoned to during it’s career.
But it’s a huge project in more ways than one, too huge for me.
Manual transmission ambulance. Cool. If only I had won the lottery…
This old dog remembers when funeral home (usually Cadillacs) hearses were equipped to double as ambulances. Remember GHOSTBUSTERS? Looks like this has been BUSTED. 👻 👽😱 👻
With far cleaner bodies available I doubt that anyone would undertake this project.
This ambulance needs an ambulance. I see a parts vehicle here. For the ambitious, no title is necessary for registration in Maine on vehicles from 1994 and older. If Marvel Mystery Oil is so good at penetration what keeps it in the can?
Clearly this is junk however, it also looks like the correct owner with deep pockets could properly restore it back to glory .
Then what would one do with it ? .
Seems a shame, I’ll be shocked if anyone even comes to look at it at that price .
-Nate
Lots of great parts here, or something to keep you busy for the next couple of decades.
I do like the duplex outlet on the dash. I think I’m going to put one of those in my car. 😉
And fwiw, that part of New Hampshire and Maine seems home to some of the rustiest vehicles I’ve ever encountered. I’ve seen worse than this on the road. Maybe the only difference is that the ones on the highway have brakes. Maybe.
As far as the duplex outlet goes, it may have a alternator like say a Leece-Nevel or Prestolite that has a AC tap directly off it. So you might want one, with the correct alternator, of course 🙂
The spec sheet I saw for these showed that the wheel base was the same as the Travelette (crew cab) with the 6.5′ bed. Based on that pic of the frame I’d say they started with a Travelall and purchased a Travelette service frame.
As far as the rust thing goes, this doesn’t really look that bad considering where it has spent its life. Definitely saveable with some of the patch panels that are available and a standard Travelall donor.
Rust like this is systemwide. It affects EVERYTHING. Not just sheet metal.
I’m very aware of how Internationals in general and D series Travelalls rust.
I found one of these in 2021, looking fresh as a daisy. Scroll down to it in this article:
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/the-cars-of-us-40-on-a-bicycle-ride-across-indiana/
Before the Internet, when car magazines were a thing, I would sometimes go to the “free magazine library” at Barnes & Noble and read the whole rack, but especially the UK imports.
The climate in the UK, combined with the “quality” British steel, turned many a UK car into hulks FAR rustier than this. Limited communication overseas made it difficult to obtain nicer cars from elsewhere, so Brits would restore cars that people from anywhere else would have sent to the scrapyard.
My point is that with enough time, money, and fabrication skills, this ambulance is restorable. The seller is hoping to find the ONE person who really wants this and has the necessary skills. I wish them luck.
When I first saw the picture, I thought it had bullet holes around the hood!
I would part that deplorable rust bucket out and put its drivetrain in something else. Anything else!
Looks like the floor pan has a modern day Bluetooth connection to the side rail. Sit in it and you’ll probably fall through.
Engine’s no good. Body’s no good. I think Jim Grey already found the one person who might want it for spare parts, but drop a zero from the price first.
Side note, that shifter and knob brings back memories. Our school buses were manual and from the 70s, and the shifter and knob looked just like that. However the pattern was mostly worn off.
This reminds me of the “limousine bus” (as it was referred to) in “Dog Day Afternoon”.
Not worth posting it to here the struggle to get it on the road is more than I could cope wit