Chev "Indian pattern" ambulance

[Richard Farrant]

I came across this photo on the HCVC Vintage Truck forum whilst looking for images of Chevrolets, it appears to be an Australian built "Indian pattern" ambulance, the other photo showed inside the rear body. It looks in a pretty tidy condition. The post said it was sold at a clearing sale around 2011/2012. Does anyone in Australia recognise it?

regards, Richard

[cliff]

I don't recognise it but is it possible to post the photo of the interior please?

[Mike Kelly]

Richard

It may be a repro body . As far as I know none of the original bodies survived, they were a doped canvas skin structure on a wooden frame ?

These were made on Chev Ford and Inter chassis , 30 cwt I think .

The Observers book 1972 edition has a few example pictured


http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/127736/

http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/127738/


And the AWM

Mike

[cliff]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

Richard

These were made on Chev Ford and Inter chassis , 30 cwt I think .

Mike

I've seen photos of them on Dodge 'D' series chassis as well Mike.

I believe MOTAT who are in Auckland New Zealand have a preserved original Chev version. Someone once promised to photograph the interior for me for the model below but never did.

[Richard Farrant]

Hi Mike,
Judging by the interior photo on the same forum post, this is original, see below.
My reason for posting was that next year's Corowa Swim-In themes are Emergency Vehicles and any vehicles made by the GM empire, and as the Indian pattern ambulance is an iconic design it would be great to have one there. The condition of this vehicle's front end looks like it has been looked after.

[jack neville]

I agree richard. That photo looks very original. I'd love to know where it is now also. I remember seeing the remains of one of those a few years ago and wondered what it was.

[Mike Kelly]

Im still not convinced the planks look awfully rough

[jack neville]

That's true too Mike but if that is a replica it has aged very quickly. But then not having any dates to go by presents a problem. I'm surprised that no one has revealed its current whereabouts. I saw the remains of what I think was one of these down Colac way I think many years ago. Only a little of the back remained and I thought it was quite weird. But then again I don't think I knew of these vehicles at the time. I would like to make one, I love these unique Pattern vehicles.

[cliff]

Originally Posted by jack neville

I would like to make one, I love these unique Pattern vehicles.

They were built on 1941 Ford cowl/chassis as well Jack and with your skills I am sure you could repro one and no one would be able to tell it was a replica

[lynx42]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

Im still not convinced the planks look awfully rough

Of course they are rough, Mike. After all they have weathered for 72 years. You and I haven't weathered that well have we?

Regards Rick.

[motto]

The rough boards are original Mike, they prevent the patients sliding out on an incline. There are no doors.

Dave

[jack neville]

So you reckon after they take the bullets out Dave, they roll you over and take out the splinters?

So where is it and who owns it?

[Ganmain Tony]

Originally Posted by jack neville

I saw the remains of what I think was one of these down Colac way I think many years ago. Only a little of the back remained and I thought it was quite weird. But then again I don't think I knew of these vehicles at the time. I would like to make one, I love these unique Pattern vehicles.

Ive got just the truck for one of these bodies.

I have no idea what was originally on the back of this one.. it was probably a GS body.

But the Indian pattern ambulance is a variant you dont see very often and would be one worth reproducing.

[cliff]

Originally Posted by Ganmain Tony

Ive got just the truck for one of these bodies.

I have no idea what was originally on the back of this one.. it was probably a GS body.

But the Indian pattern ambulance is a variant you dont see very often and would be one worth reproducing.

wrong cowl and cab type for the Indian Pattern Ambulance Tony

plus I feel it a shame to muck up that Chev you have.

PS> have you remembered to get the few measurements I asked for off the cab?

[cliff]

Tony here is another photo of a different survivor which shows the front cowl and cab a bit better

Photo is off the web some years ago along with a few others of the same vehicle which I used to make the model I posted earlier in this thread.

[Ganmain Tony]

That's very interesting Cliff.. I didnt realise the cab was so modified at the back and the doors as well.

I thought the back just went over the top of the Cab.

I am sorry about the measurements... I had forgotten in all inconsiderate honesty...

What did you need again?

[cliff]

Hi Tony. Yes it only had one opening door on the LHS as the spare tyre and mount blocked the drivers door.

On the Holden cab just want a measurement at floor level across the cab external to external at the front door pillars, width and height of doors and width of cowl to bonnet edge at the mold line and width of body from back door pillars to the rear of cab. Just need to check that some kit parts I have are accurate to scale. Metric or Imperial does not matter.

Thanks Tony I appreciate it.

Cheers
Cliff

[Mike Kelly]

Ive got a couple of pics of one of these bodies being made . I think they contracted out the body work to local body builders in Melbourne and other places maybe .

I will post the pics here tomorrow.

BTW that vehicle pic cliff posted. I was offered that vehicle as part of a swap deal that never happened .

Reminds me I think Danny Stanton has one of these vehicles , he plans on restoring it , it might be the example pictured ?

[Mike Kelly]

These pics may throw some light

[Mike Kelly]

and a few more

one appears to be a cmp chassis ?

[cliff]

The last photo is of the interior of a CMP (Aust) ambulance like this one

Thanks for sharing Mike

[jack neville]

A few Marmys in the background of that third photo Mike.

I rang a mate about the ambulance we saw in the Western District years ago. He confirmed that he 'also thought' it was a Chev ambulance. His father was with us at the time. He took us there. Guess who can't remember where it was? Guess who has since died?

[jack neville]

There are no doors but the lace up flap appears different on those two rear photos.

[Leon Hassing]

Very nice pictures gentlemen.
Here is my rendition of this truck.

with these new pictures I already see some mistakes I have made




PS. Jack thanks for your drawings and measurements.
They will be very helpfull. (sorry for this late reaction)

[cliff]

Originally Posted by Leon Hassing

Very nice pictures gentlemen.
Here is my rendition of this truck.

what scale is this Leon?

[Leon Hassing]

Hello Cliff,

it is 1:35th.

I like your work on the ford cabin.
Will it be commercialy available?

All the best

leon

[cliff]

Originally Posted by Leon Hassing

Hello Cliff,

it is 1:35th.

I like your work on the ford cabin.
Will it be commercialy available?

All the best

leon

It may be in the future but for now it is keeping me occupied and my mind off other things . Keep in touch and I'll let you know when I have extra and have checked that the parts fit OK.

[Mike Kelly]

A ex-2nd AIF Ambulance in Israeli service circa 1948.

Source: facebook

[Mike Kelly]

https://cityofvincent.imagegallery.m...rch_str=100086

https://cityofvincent.imagegallery.m...rch_str=Trucks

Description
Former Australian Army Ambulance truck purchased by Robert & Miles Finley family for use as a mobile studio for their photography business 'Hollywood Studios'.

Description
Rear view of 281-283 Fitzgerald Street, West Perth. A former stable building is in the foreground. The 'Hollywood Studios' truck is parked in the driveway of the 'Hollywood Studios' workshop run by brothers Miles & Robert Finley from 1946. The brothers began their photography business from a garage at Scarborough beachfront where they photographed tourists and visitors. They also bought a former Australian Army ambulance and provided a mobile photographic service in country towns around WA. In 1949 they bought 281-283 Fitzgerald Street, which was the processing workshop for their three photographic studios ('Hollywood Studios') in Perth city. The premises was originally a bakery which the Finley brothers converted to a film processing and printing laboratory. A large open room was used by women employed to touch-up or hand colour black and white prints. When home cameras became more popular, Hollywood Studios workshop was closed and replaced with two retail photographic shops in Perth arcades. The workshop at 281-283 was retained as a family institution where the Finley brothers would 'tinker'. In 1966 it was also used by Hetty Finley as a gallery for a sculpture exhibition.

[Mike Kelly]

https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/560F...21B5C4?image=1

https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/560A...7E2022?image=1

https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/5606...68E20B?image=1

https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/560C...C2F6E6?image=1

https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/5604...E0AC22?image=1

https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/560E...6CB084?image=1

This one is a CMP Ford

https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/9886...BB7157?image=1