Well, this one certainly threw me a curve! I wasn’t sure exactly what it was or was supposed to be. It’s a 1949 Pontiac that has been converted into an ambulance but it really looks too short for that to have been its original station in life. Regardless, it would seem to have started out as a Sedan Delivery and then underwent some surgery to accommodate the frosted side glass which actually rolls up and down. This Poncho is definitely worth a closer look. It is located in El Paso, Texas and is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $7,700; there is a make an offer option too.
It’s probably the reshaped side glass that throws off the proportions of this modified S.D. It’s really not a short vehicle as it possesses a 120″ wheelbase and is 202″ (16’10”) in length but that still seems a bit short for an ambulance. That said, it is referenced as a “Barnette Ambulance” and I believe that means the Guy Barnette Company of Memphis. There’s no back story other than it being considered a West Texas barn find and that’s unfortunate as it probably has a very interesting history behind it. Judging from its sunburned “patina”, this old Tin Indian has been sitting in the hot southwestern sun for some extended time. The listing mentions some rust, and if it’s the surface kind being referenced, you bet – it’s more rust than there is original black lacquer. And speaking of color, who paints an ambulance black? That’s more fitting of a vehicle used when the trip in the ambulance, unfortunately, didn’t work out. Again, it’s all in the story that we don’t have. The side window customization appears to have been well facilitated from a fabrication perspective, it’s just that the shape design seems a bit off. The seller mentions that the missing rear window is available and there are additional moldings included but I bet the rare “silver streak” stainless for the rear door, note the black patch, has probably been pilfered or sold. There’s no sign of the missing bumpers either.
Those referenced moldings are actually along for the ride in the rear, and that’s where things get interesting. It’s hard to make much out of the interior disorganization but I have a tough time seeing this ambulance having ever been used for such a purpose. Of course, at the young spry age of only 73, it could have been “unmodified” as an ambulance long ago I suppose. There are signs of prior modification such as the fabrication that has occurred where a passenger seat, if so equipped, would have been located, but it’s difficult to determine what really happened here. The single “bucket seat”, if I’m not mistaken, is how Sedan Deliveries came originally equipped. I have to admit some fascination with those large roll-down side windows. Of course, in pre-A/C days, something would need to be done to get some cooling to the rear, or patient portion, of this vehicle – it would have to get as hot as blazes on a summer day in a tin can of this shape and size.
This Pontiac is a roller (OK, cue the “Put an LS in it” suggestion). The original engine, either a 90 HP, 239 CI in-line six, or an optional 104 gross HP, 249 CI, in-line eight-cylinder engine is lost to the ages. Standard shifting happened via a three-speed manual gearbox though GM’s Hydramatic automatic was available on the options list. I suppose this situation helps to make this Pontiac a blank canvas going forward. Oh, and note the hood prop!
And that begs the old, “what to do with it” question. The only way forward that I see is as a restomod or hot-rod. If this were a ratty old ’49 Pontiac sedan, I’d feel less sanguine about it but this rare and unusual body style, with its medical degree, is just too different to ignore. It needs to be saved in some form, wouldn’t you agree?
Do it in white with white steelies and caps, red interior and a 455/auto.
This has a certain former military version feel to me. I could easy see this in Navy or Air Force blue.
Dan,
Barnette never went after the US Military contracts, they were simply too small a shop, converting only a few dozen cars each year. They didn’t retail already completed cars as a general rule, most customers bought a Pontiac or Chevy Sedan Delivery or wagon and Barnette did the conversion for them. Hence this car started out life as a black sedan delivery.
This is a very rare vehicle, as the majority of Barnette cars were the longer hearses and ambulances. I’m attaching a photo of a Barnette ad for the larger funeral coach in 1949
With no passenger seat it’s totally long enough for an ambulance.
I have a 51 Pontiac very similar to this. It’s currently black but originally light blue. I’m always searching for more info on it!
Drop the body on a TCI chassis and go to town, this car is very cool
I have the hood and rear door from a 53 Pontiac The hood is kinda rough but the stainless is great. I was told it is from a hearse. Maybe someday I’ll do something with them. For me, this one seems like hotrod material. I’d probably do away with those side windows though.
I have a ’50 Chevy that’s quite similar, but a stretched version. Mine started life as a hearse but was repurposed as an ambulance by a small town dirt track in the 1960s. (Track gone since the early ’70s). Mine is a National Body co. out of Knightstown Indiana. Barnette vehicles were very similar, both using Chevy or Pontiac sedan deliverys as basis for their conversions. Much good information can be found in “American Funeral Cars & Ambulances since 1900 by Thomas McPherson.
This actually would be a real cool gasser with a straight axle and a blown Pontiac 455/4-speed combo. Too much money and too difficult to find parts to do an original-type restoration.
Well, this rang my number. A restomod for sure. Man, if I had only had the chance at something like this 8 years ago when I bought my last project, a 50 coupe, and I’m still working on it! I like this Pony just to be different :)
I like that they used a crutch to prop the hood open on an ambulance.
I had a 53 Pontiac Barnett 2 door Hearse that had the original flat head engine when I acquired it. I dropped a 350 Chevy small block and turbo 400 transmission to update it. I used it as a stereo demo vehicle for my mobile electronics business in the 1990’s. It had 16 15″ subwoofers, 3600 watts rms with dual alternators and 8d tractor trailer batteries. It was an interesting vehicle but since I never updated the suspension or steering it wasn’t fun to drive. I eventually traded it for a mauve 72 Cadillac Convertible which I subsequently traded for 72 Olds 442 Convertible. Love old cars…….
awufully close to a fav of mine the suburban (’49/55) & it’s copy the Duette plymouth’n Wolwo). Love the early mod/window. It goes back as far as it can (no curvatire) but could go further w/some modern assistance (my ‘druther’). I’d put in whatever flattie poncho had back then, a 4 speed (od) auto. And smooth it to keep the bumpers off as here.
The ‘airport (cheb) model’ & Barnett Landau models asbove are pricless. All this as I’m “a child of the” ’50’s. Growin up in cords’n flannels, an after school cowboy hat onmy head at play (“No, U B the Indians this time”). All these’n more the sketches on my linned friable paper @ my elem. school desk hidden behind the same book held in the teacher’s hand at the frnt of the room or on the unlined during “art class” at that same desk. Hand tracing ovoid shapes over’n over for rear wheel wells’n fenders, or whole cars (XKE). Obsessions? till this day!