BeBop138 Posted June 21, 2010 Report Posted June 21, 2010 I saw this car for sale in the swap at Back to the Fifties--never have seen one before--very few of these left. Flattie 265 six with a three speed manual tranny. Was stored for 30 years---has a few dings but no rust holes---very solid body and it`s all there. Runs good and drives good---I may have to buy this---I have restored an ambulance before and it is a good challange to do something different---we are dickering on price---here is a few pics. Quote
Young Ed Posted June 21, 2010 Report Posted June 21, 2010 Go Lee go! I saw it too would be quite fun. I saw your car but you weren't near it. Hope you had fun. The 50s was a blast this year! Quote
BeBop138 Posted June 21, 2010 Author Report Posted June 21, 2010 (edited) Go Lee go! I saw it too would be quite fun. I saw your car but you weren't near it. Hope you had fun. The 50s was a blast this year! Ya never know----to bad we didn`t get together---it was a long three days---- they had close to 12,000 cars WOW----new record they said. Didn`t I give you my cell number? Edited June 21, 2010 by BeBop138 more info Quote
Young Ed Posted June 21, 2010 Report Posted June 21, 2010 Ya but do you think I remembered to actually bring it with me..... Nope. We'll have to meet up sometime someplace again. Maybe I'll be coming down to see your next project..... Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted June 21, 2010 Report Posted June 21, 2010 If ya gonna build a four door..this is the puppy...those colors look very similar to the paint on my 54 Plymouth..if the price is right I do not think you would kick yourself later..who wold have one to park next to you ANYWHERE you may go..slim chance...Chance is in Tennessee and Slim is out of town.. Quote
greg g Posted June 21, 2010 Report Posted June 21, 2010 I would think that it being the Widsor, the entry level model, it was probably used as a hotel or train station/airport shuttle, rather than a true chaufer driven Limo. But it would be a great car to rent out for weddings and other stuff like that. Anybody and their brother can rent a stretch Hummer, but pull up in that and you might draw some attention. Quote
pflaming Posted June 21, 2010 Report Posted June 21, 2010 One could sure get a lot of chickens in that! Even a couple of calves and maybe a dozen hogs. The ultimate 'family' car! But don't drive in on a muddy road!!! Quote
B-Watson Posted June 21, 2010 Report Posted June 21, 2010 I saw this car for sale in the swap at Back to the Fifties--never have seen one before--very few of these left. Flattie 265 six with a three speed manual tranny. Was stored for 30 years---has a few dings but no rust holes---very solid body and it`s all there. Runs good and drives good---I may have to buy this---I have restored an ambulance before and it is a good challange to do something different---we are dickering on price---here is a few pics. I don't think this is a limousine - there does not appear to be a division window between front and rear compartments and the driver's seat is done in the same cloth material as the rear seat. If it was a limousine, there should also be outside keylocks for the rear doors. It is an 8-passenger LWB sedan, of which 500 were built. The limousine was offered only in the Crown Imperial series, and 77 were built. The 8-passenger sedan was available as a Windsor DeLuxe, New Yorker, and Crown Imperial in 1954. DeSoto also offered LWB models in 1954, which was the last year for DeSoto (Powermaster, Firedome, Taxi) and Chrysler LWB models. Over the past decade or so it has become accepted that all LWB sedans are limousines. And they are not. Depending upon year and series, LWB sedans came as 6-passenger (no jump seats), 8-passenger (2 jump seats) and limousine. Cadillac used to call their limousines "Imperial sedans". The side trim is not factory. Actually, the trim on the front doors appears to be from a 1955 Packard Clipper Custom. The car does appear to be good condition and, except for the door trim, is all there. Especially on the inside where trim and parts are hard to find. It is a great find. Bill Vancouver, BC Quote
boxer_inv Posted June 21, 2010 Report Posted June 21, 2010 Am I reading the front fender script correctly - "SEDAMBULANCE" ?? Quote
BeBop138 Posted June 21, 2010 Author Report Posted June 21, 2010 Correct on the Sedambulance. The car originally was owned by a funeral home. Family car, maybe? It does have the removable door pillar on the pass side---maybe it was a combo?? Quote
greg g Posted June 21, 2010 Report Posted June 21, 2010 Peobably the Pall Bearers car followed the hearse and the flower car in the cortege, carrying the folks who carried the casket to the gravesite. Usually 6 or 8 people depending on the heft of the deceased. Quote
Niel Hoback Posted June 21, 2010 Report Posted June 21, 2010 Funeral Coach, Family car, Pall Bearers, Flower Car. There used to be the most fascinating flower car parked in front of the funeral home on west 5th avenue in Gary. Picture it; 1953 Packard in light metallic blue that was actually what we would call a pick-up truck now. That thing was a mile long in the bed. At least to a 10 year old car nut. Quote
captden29 Posted June 21, 2010 Report Posted June 21, 2010 bebop, i am a big fan of 54 windsors, i own 2 of them. i like the chrome around the gas filler. all other windsors have the gas fill just over the bumper in back. maybe the station wagon has that type. i tried to buy one of these in black around 5 years ago, but it became one of those deals where the seller just became too much of a pain in the butt to work with and i gave up. these are very rare, but not extremely valuable. his price of $8700 is a little high but a good place to start. when only 500 are made you can be sure there are not many left. one of my windsors is a convertible of which 500 were also made, and i have only seen 2 of them besides mine in the last 5 years.unfortunately, being a chrysler it is not as valuable as other makes. i love mine anyway as it is the same as the car i drove when i was 17. good luck buying this one. the seller should be happy that anyone wants it. you will never see another one at any show. i have all the manuals and parts books for 54 chryslers so i may be able to help with the restoration. capt den Quote
PatS.... Posted June 21, 2010 Report Posted June 21, 2010 (edited) Here's a "Sedambulance" at work: The pillar between the front and rear doors on the passenger side is removed, latched at top and bottom, bucket seat in front, single jump seat behind driver and full rear seat. Stretcher goes in passenger side. This one is a Dodge at work on the north approach to the Center Street Bridge in Calgary. It may or may not be an actual "Sedambulance". The real "Sedambulance" conversions were done by F. H. McClintock of Lansing Michigan. I have a feeling the "Sedambulance" trim on the 54 Windsor here was put on when the side trim was put on...just a guess. Edited June 21, 2010 by PatS.... Quote
BeBop138 Posted June 21, 2010 Author Report Posted June 21, 2010 Pat, it does say McClintock of Lansing Mich Quote
greg g Posted June 22, 2010 Report Posted June 22, 2010 http://www.hearse.com/pages_to_file_2/11657.html http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2348655390101978915bwAqDK http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/m/mcclintock/mcclintock.htm Quote
PatS.... Posted June 22, 2010 Report Posted June 22, 2010 Pat, it does say McClintock of Lansing Mich I'm wondering....if it has a fixed pillar, full front seat and 2 jump seats, if it was reconverted back to a regular 8 passenger sedan or if someone affixed a Sedambulance nameplate to a regular 8 passenger sedan when the incorrect side trim was added? Or is this some kind of special McClintock conversion of some kind? I really like the 54 pictured, nice condition and a classy car. Quote
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