The bad thing about an ambulance, or especially a hearse, is that most people only get to experience riding in them during not-so-good times in their lives. And while an ambulance may often be the best case for a worst-case scenario, I’m guessing not all car enthusiasts see them as having a lot of potential beyond their original intended use. But they’re big, attention-getting, plus there’s not exactly a whole lot of vintage models out there running around, so why wouldn’t you want to pull up at your local Sonic in one of these machines? At least that’s how the seller of this old-time ambulance is hoping somebody will see it, as he’s in the process of trying to find a new home for this medical mobile. If you’re in the market for an unusual project and don’t mind one that spent its first years hauling people around horizontally, this 1960 Pontiac Superior Ambulance may be worth a look. It’s located in Phoenix, Arizona, and can be seen here on eBay with a current bid of $3,050, shy of what it’ll take to bring it home.
The story goes that this vehicle was originally an ambulance but has been painted up to look like a hearse, with a fitting vanity plate on the bumper to add to the cause. The seller acquired this when he was around 16 years old in the early nineties, and upon his acquisition welded in a new floor to replace the rotted-out platform, but the rest of the body was said to be pretty solid. Before the repaint, he bolted on the exterior items that were deemed cool back then in his young mind, but now as an adult leaves him shaking his head…
While the gauges appear to be mostly original, the steering wheel looks like it may have come from Western Auto or J.C. Whitney, back in the days before steering wheels got so complicated. No story on the seats, and I’m trying to figure out if that’s an old living room love seat or maybe some sort of small futon in the back. There used to be a big center console in there, but it was falling apart and the seller thought it was overkill, so it’s been removed for a now cleaner slate. The seller claims that back in the day he was the coolest kid in school driving this, but now it’s been sitting for a while and can’t be driven very far.
The 389 engine is believed to be of the Super Duty variety, which was pulled back in 2008 and gone through by a machine shop. Lots of new parts were added, but the garage removed all of the galley plugs and didn’t reinstall them, which has resulted in oil pressure issues. The seller has pulled the motor again since, thinking he’s replaced all the galley plugs himself, but the oil pressure is still low, so there’s still work needed for the motor to be roadworthy. What are your thoughts on this 1960 Pontiac Superior Ambulance?
Hmmmmm
Take the 3k and run
I like the story. The seller is honest enough to admit that mods in the 1990’s as a kid isn’t something he would do now. We have all made those mistakes but takes a real person to admit to it.
Professional cars from the 50’s and 60’s have really appreciated. I have followed them on and off for 20 years and have had a few myself. What I liked at the time they were very cheap. No one wanted them. So what if dead people road in it. To me it’s worth a look. Superior was an excellent coach builder.
And to sum it all up in a nutshell, LIFE’S TOO SHORT TO DRIVE BORING CARS, amen!
Hey he showed us what his super duty engine looked like! bravo sir for presenting what you have for sale.
“I wouldn’t be seen dead in that thing”.
I dunno, I’d kind of like my life’s legacy to be remembered for being seen taking my final ride in this thing!
It never ceases to amaze me what some people will pixx their money away on. 1st of all, to have an infatuation with death,( blood like drippings on fan blade a nice touch) is a mental illness, and 2nd really? This is what turns them on? My religion( that I haphazardly follow) teaches there is no heaven or hell, ashes to ashes, dust to dust and death is a very sad thing. It claims we won’t see our loved ones, not sure I believe that, but regardless, someone that brings a hearse, a well known symbol of greif into regular life, in the form of some hotrod, could make some therapist very wealthy. I’m not impressed one bit by these,,,conversions.
Who cares?
Howard,
Back in the 1980s I had an arrangement with the county tech school to take on 2 of their best auto trades students over the summer. One year a young man named Alex came to work for me, he was a “dead head” and had a 1965 Cadillac hearse. He did similar custom work to the hearse before deciding to let it go to a new home.
Alex ended up working in my restoration shop as our electrical specialist for a couple of years before moving on to work in a new Auto Sound company. Within a couple of years he had bought the shop. Last I heard he was married with kids and running a large architectural salvage company in Baltimore. In this Pontiac I see a lot of things that remind me of Alex.
I think this is a awesome ride .Creative ,different & just COOL. This is definitely a driver.
It would make a great surf wagon.
Let’s go surfing now, everybody’s learnin’ how.
When Herman Munster went Surfing
I think the old owner does not give his younger self enough credit. This is one funky creative car for a teenager to build. I like it, but my wife would be horrified if I drove this around. Many years ago when I was in the Corps, me and a buddy bought an old Caddy and did some very funky creative low budget things to it. I understand the process. And his description of the vehicle was spot on and full on information. Thank you for your honesty on that,
If I had the money and storage place for it, I would jump on it! Do a ground up restoration, and ride. I was with a volunteer ambulance back in the late 60’s-70’s. We had a ’67 and ’69 Pontiac Superior, and they were fantastic! I never did, but I was told the ’67 would lay rubber.
I like the idea of being able to take a nice nap while showing off the hearse at a car show. Lay down in the back but don’t let anybody put a tag on a toe. Also if on a long trip one rests while the other drives. This sure makes sense to me
Note the special vent in the roof just to the rear of the windshield. Those were only used on US Military Ambulances. This is a military high-top ambulance. These should be a metal ID plate on the firewall that will explain which branch of the military it was part of [Army – Air Force -Navy]. Update: Just checked the photos on the ebay ad, the military ID plate, usually found to the upper right of the power brake unit, is missing (the mounting holes are there).
The raised roof was required because the US DOD specs called for ambulances capable of carrying up to 4 patients in canvas folding cots.