Ambulances, hearses, and other specialized coaches are produced by custom vehicle builders. And those builders rely on mainstream manufacturers like General Motors for chassis and body components. Such was the case with this 1959 Buick ambulance that was built off a LaSabre chassis. But someone has since had the idea of cutting off the roof to make a one-of-a-kind “ambuvertible” out of it. Located with a dealer in Scottsville, Kentucky, this non-running project has potential written all over it, if you have an endgame in mind. It’s available here on eBay where the bidding has only reached $510, yet the reserve is unmet. Hats off to T.J. for another weird yet cool find!
In 1959, all of Buick’s cars were redesigned and had “swoopy” styling like what Chevy, Pontiac, etc. were doing over at GM. The Buick division built 285,089 vehicles that year and 841 of them were stripped chassis that ambulances or hearses could be built from. Most of those were on the LeSabre which had a shorter wheelbase, and the VIN on this car jives with this being 1 of 673 to leave Buick’s (or Fisher Body’s) factories. No information is available as to which coach builder produced this one or how it has been used in the last 63 years.
Although the timing of it isn’t known, some enterprising individual decided to cut the roof off this ambulance to turn it into a low chop top lead sled of some sort. We have no idea how well the work was done, but it included removing the front vent windows (was the door glass replaced to compensate?). The body may be in fair condition but there is some rust, especially in one of the passenger doors.
Under the hood is likely Buick’s 364 cubic-inch V8 engine that is said to turn, but the seller has not tried to start it. It has an automatic transmission, but there is no indication as to how long it’s been since the car moved anywhere under its own power. An aftermarket air conditioner resides under the dashboard, but it’s of little value now as there is no way to enclose the passengers. Or protect them from the elements. This looks like an interesting project, but what would you do with it with you got done? Parade car? Hayrides without the horse or hay? Or maybe turn it into a pickup since there is a huge amount of space behind the front seats to haul stuff.
Structural integrity??? We don’t need no structural integrity…just as well the engine hasn’t been started.
Um, I don’t think this was an ambulance, but rather just a wagon someone cut the top off. Images show, the ambulance had a longer rear doors, and an added section behind the rear doors, and no evidence of a rear door. Maybe a short ambulance, but it’s going to be a tough sell. It’s nothing now. I bet that grill worth a fortune to someone, even the front clip as a fireplace. Don’t laugh, a while back, someone made 50s cars front ends into fireplace surrounds, and certainly has a mansion in Key West.
This one started out as an ambulance, or a combination car – see the interior shots of the rear and you’ll see the footwell for the medic and cabinets similar to what was common coachbuilder style those years.
One major coachbuilder building on Buick chassis was Flxible, and they built a ‘budget’ type ambulance called Flxette which had WB unchanged from the wagon. Don’t know whether they offered the Flxette as early as ’59 or if this is a Flxible at all – one thing is sure; someone should have their powertools seized!!
local_sheriff is correct, this was an ambulance. Also note the recesses in the floor which helped to hold the cot in place. Could be a cool custom if the reserve isn’t outrageous.
I found that this is not a hack job from decades back – this beautifully crafted Buick was apparently available @ Copart less than 2 years ago and has since then lost its roof…! By then any finned ambulance/hearse was worth massive $, what the heck was the owner thinking…?
https://professionalcarsociety.org/threads/1959-buick-hearse-copart-tenn.23542/
Yes it was an ambulance it was on another site the owner thought he could take the top from this and put it in a Cadillac that had a damaged roof. Needless to say it didn’t work.
Oh sure…..they destroy what holds this mess together THEN want to sell it…..
Will, these cars had a full frame to hold this mess together.
Yeah, but isn’t it the X-frame? Not exactly the strongest, I believe.
Anthony,
Yes it’s got the X frame, but strengthened like on the convertibles. That said, because of the X frame, ALL the GM sedans I’ve seen without their roofs, have major structural issues, with doors popping open [to the 2nd latch] on rough roads. Add the longer length of this Flxible body, and it’s a failure just waiting for the opportunity.
I remember examining a one-of-a-kind 1957 Chrysler Imperial convertible limousine that was constructed by Ghia, for the Sultan of Kuwait. I’ve been under the car and seen first hand just how much strengthening material Ghia put into that car’s frame. The extra metal included 1/4″ steel plates!
My eyes hurt from this abomination! Arguably the ugliest vehicle I’ve ever seen!!
omg !
Not enough left to restore, but lots of good parts. If it’s solid, and if I had the time, money, and youth, I’d turn it into an El Camino type ute. I’ve always liked the 59 Buick styling, and this could be made into a decent custom.
There’s no actual interest on my part but it’d be a funny way to haul my snowmobile around… of course w/ no roof I’d have my jacket, gloves and helmet on when driving in winter and I’d probably have to tarp the front seat and dashboard area when it’s parked.
I’d get some looks, that’s for sure.
I hope somebody does something cool with it.
Happy NY!
Oddly, I’m not appalled; I think the long continuous fin line stops it from looking like a total hack job.
Hey look it’s got AC. . So where does all the cold air go now? LOL
AmbuLeSabre-amino!
Whoever chopped the top off this VERY rare Ambulance ruined it’s value. I’m amazed it’s bid to almost $1,200 and the reserve’s not met!
While this vehicle does have a full frame, that frame was designed to work in conjunction with a completely enclosed body. I suspect that if it’s driven over a fairly rough road at higher speeds, one or more of the doors will likely pop open, at least to the first latch position. Hopefully the person responsible for this chop kept the valuable “Flxible” parts like the rear quarter curved glass windows, the rear entry door [or at least the glass in the door], and the 2 red teardrop roof rotating emergency lights, generally only found on 1959 and 60 Flxible Ambulances. [I have a pair of the glass teardrop lenses if someone needs them.]
I have a real 1959 Convertible windshield frame with all the trim if someone wants to make a convertible out of it, I am in Michigan
Donald,
The Flxible hearses and ambulances had a special taller windshield and beefier windshield frame because of the raised roof, so none of the regular convertible interior trim will work. That said, are you aware your frame & trim are the same windshield and trim as on all the 1959 & 60 GM convertibles, even the Cadillac Eldorado?
That is why I have the complete frame and trim, You have to change it all, I have done it before
If I was the seller I would have no reserve and be extremely grateful for whatever someone would pay for it.
My mother always told me “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”
The structural integrity angle is something to consider. I thought this might be a good vehicle for delivering firewood, but then again, maybe not.
Todd,
These only had a load rating of 1/2 ton, and if one was to fill it with hardwood fire wood it “wood” be grossly overloaded!
I was picturing a very narrow pick-up truck type camper to slide in the back.
Be great to find a good junk yard sedan roof and make 2 door long bed pick up add a swing down tailgate. love them slanted headlights
Jim,
If I may join your dream for a moment . . .
Consider the number of 4-door pickups being sold lately, Perhaps it might be worth taking 2 sedan roofs, sectioning them to increase the length to accommodate the longer doors, and turn this into a 4-door pickup.
The cut job looks fairly clean – where these roof completely welded on or bolted to the existing body ? I guess its possible this car was purchased at one time just for the roof which was put on another ambulance that was in better shape than this one was.
In 1959, the main provider of Buick based professional cars, funeral coaches, ambulances, combination units, was Flxble. However at least one example from National saw service in Minnesota and is now living in Sweden, and I have also seen an example from Comet Coach (which became Cottner Bevington in 1960). This was most likely a Flxble unit, build plate should be under the hood., Most units started life as LeSabre 4-dr sedans and saw extensive body work.