AUTENTICA AMBULANCIA WW1?

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: AUTENTICA AMBULANCIA WW1?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO RICO TORRELLES on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 06:46 am:

AMBULANCE REAL WW1?
Hello to all from Barcelona, Spain
First of all I apologize for my English, I do what I can.
Although I have long reading forum which seems fantastic, it is the first time that I decide to write and the reason is that I need your help.
  I bought a 1918 Ford Model T, which seems like an ambulance ww1 military has paint chips, a piece of belt taillight bracket, canvas remains inside the front and the steering column is longer than normal, indicating a very high driving.
I have looked for information everywhere but I could not find anything like the front of my t, so if anyone has any information however little would greatly appreciate it.
thank you very much
ford t 1918ford t 1918
ford t 1918ford t 1918


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 06:55 am:

Eduardo,

Greetings !

Can you post pictures of the engine and rear axle ?



Jim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 07:14 am:

ofcourse jim
Thanks for your interest
ford t 1918ford t 1918ford t 1918ford t 1918ford t 1918


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 07:20 am:

more
ford t 1918ford t 1918


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 08:43 am:

The car has many features that point to it being 1917 - 18 model year.

No starter. Hogshead has no provision for starter.
Small crank pulley with large nose pan.
Low cylinder head.

The cowl indeed looks like a WWI ambulance.

Very nice!!!!!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 08:51 am:

Forgot to mention the aluminum timer. It should have a brush rather than a roller if unmolested. Like this:



This is a 1917 cast iron timer. Aluminum ones look very much the same and may be found with and without the Ford script:


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 09:16 am:

thanks Royce
I appreciate your help, I will check what I say, if it really is an ambulance of the 1st world war is a true survivor, in any case it is incredible that has survived to this day in this state.
continue investigating ......


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 09:23 am:


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 09:58 am:

The cowl looks like the French model, the photo posted by Royce is a US model 1918 ambulance which is similar
99047.jpg
This is a photo of an American Field Service ambulance which shows the style of cowl used by the French ambulances, the M1918 would be unlikely to be what yours is, as they were not produced until after the war and I doubt that any would have made it over seas.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 10:16 am:

Wow Royce .... is gorgeous, but what confuses me is that the part that goes behind the hood is different from mine.
Maybe made ​​many different models.


thanks ford t 1918


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 10:26 am:

Hello, Gustaf
The photo you show me away a bit of my model, I assume that during the 1st World War produced different models FORD ambulance worldwide shipping.
I'm trying to be sure I have.
thanks


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jay - In Northern California on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 10:56 am:

Eduardo, The engine number dates it to June 19, 1918 with a note in was shipped to Long Island.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 11:04 am:

Hi, Jay
Do you know why he was sent to Long Island?
thanks


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mattthew G California on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 11:23 am:

Wow Eduardo!
That is an amazing piece of history as you found it. The cowl is an amazing find!

Did you get any other pieces of original body? The reason I ask is because the brackets are very important custom made parts for the ambulance. Most any other piece you can buy at the right money, but the original brackets are hard to reproduce if all you have is photos.

Also can you get a photo of the rear spring perches? This is where the rear spring attaches to the axle.

By the way, if you restore this. I suggest that you replace the coil box and keep the original. That is an amazing piece of history.

I figured someone could look up the engine number for you. I assume that you know Long Island is NY. Many of the ambulances were shipped out of NY.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jay - In Northern California on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 11:23 am:

Eduardo, My guess is that they were shipped to Europe from Long Island New York as part of the war effort.Bruce Mc Calley's book Model T Ford, The Car That Changed The World shows a group of engines from March 1918 to July 1918 noted as having been sent to Long Island. Maybe on of our Model T Guru's here can chime in.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Johnson on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 11:25 am:

In my opinion, those numbers stamped on the block have a very highly stylized script and do not resemble what is typically seen on a block that assembled and stamped in Detroit.

The number "2" and number "3" are especially different.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 11:35 am:

Eduardo,
It is very possible it was shipped to a charitable organization to serve with the French Army, by that time, the American Red Cross and the American Field Service were part of the United States Army Ambulance Service. Everything I can see about this chassis makes me believe that it is an authentic WWI ambulance. There were many different manufacturers of bodies for the early ambulances. I will see if I can find a photo that has a cowl like yours.

Welcome to the WWI ambulance owner's club, yours is much better than mine, as mine has is not original.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jay - In Northern California on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 11:40 am:

Nice photo Gustaf!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 11:44 am:

Hey Jay,
I had to special order a snow storm to get that photo, to go with this period photo taken in 1918-1919.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 11:59 am:

hello, Mattew
I saw it online and a week ago I bought it, now try to find the maximum possible information, I have not seen it in detail but more or less what you see in the pictures is what I have.
You know to which port NY arriving from Europe?
You can keep track achieved until today would be amazing.

ford t 1918ford t 1918ford t 1918


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 11:59 am:

Here are a few other images I had in my WWI ambulance files. The Model T ambulance carried two soldiers, one above the other. The soldiers were transferred either to a larger truck, a train, or directly to a hospital.

Ambulances often were hit by enemy fire.












Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 12:24 pm:

Wow Royce
These photos are amazing, I think the first photo is the one that comes closest to my model.
I sense that I'm close, at least I'm learning a lot.
Thank you very much to all who help me


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 12:31 pm:

Gustaf.
Your ambulance is incredible, say it is not authentic but it seems you have traveled back in time, if not mine someday come to look like.
congratulations.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Howard D. Dennis on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 12:41 pm:

Eduardo, here's an image I saved off the internet years ago, unfortunately I failed to save it's source.

Howard Dennisambulance


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jay - In Northern California on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 12:55 pm:

Here's a few more photos


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 01:18 pm:

Eduardo,
The first photo posted by Royce is another M1918 US ambulance, and is very unlikely what you have. I think you have acquired a treasure, that with a little work will be magnificent.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 01:21 pm:

Forgot to mention, the Ford ambulance carried three in the back on stretchers, two on the bottom and one above, or four seated on the folding benches. A seated casualty could be carried by the driver, and if they were small, maybe two.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 01:23 pm:

gentlemen
With so much information at the end I will find, I'm starting to get interested in the 1st World War, has always fascinated me that time of the twentieth century and thanks to my ford model t, I'm learning to forced marches.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 01:31 pm:

Hey Eduardo,
Next you will need a few WWI uniforms:-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 01:32 pm:

Gustaf
You are very optimistic, I would not know where to start.
Are there plans to make the wooden box?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 01:38 pm:

They seem to be all the nations represented
thanks


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 01:40 pm:

Eduardo,
I do not know of plans for the model that you will need to build, but a fellow in the eastern US built one a few years ago. George King III is his name, but I lost his contact information when my computer died a few months ago, hopefully some one here will have it, and I will try to find it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 01:42 pm:

Not all nations are present in my collection, but France, Italy, Russia, Belgium, The US, Great Britain, Germany, Bavaria and Austro-Hungaria are. I am working on a Portuguese and Turkish display as well, but they are very difficult to find.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 01:51 pm:

Gustaf
Magnificent collection.
  The reward is not in getting the object if not on the trip to get it, good luck.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 02:01 pm:

You are right, it is the journey, not the destination. I am looking forward to see your ambulance finished.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 02:57 pm:

First I have to finish the speedster I started, the budget is not enough for both


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 05:21 pm:

I understand budgets, but I think you need to prioritize and finish the ambulance first:-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Thomas Mullin on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 05:26 pm:

Eduardo,

Would you measure the distance between the front and rear axles? I believe the M1918 was about 9 inches (225mm) longer than a standard Model T to better balance the box in back.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 05:39 pm:

Thomas, some of the M1918 had a 15 inch extension, but most had the same wheel base as the standard T

This photo shows an M1918 with the HayDee extension, notice the greater distance to the rear wheel from the side box.

This shows the M1918 with a standard wheel base


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 05:53 pm:

The speedster is well advanced with the ambulance however I am in the phase of collect information and yet do not know what will.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 06:03 pm:

Hello, Thomas
  I will measure and I'll tell you, how much more information which is better
thanks


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 06:04 pm:

Eduardo,

You have found a captive audience here !



Jim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 06:35 pm:

I am very thankful because are helping me a lot


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 07:04 pm:

Eduardo,
Gustaf's ambulance may be a re-creation. However, he did a lot of research and it is one of the finest re-creations of an antique automobile I have ever seen.
Yours appears to be what remains of an original World War I ambulance. As such, it truly is a historic treasure. Treat it with the respect it deserves.
My feeling is, that it is too far gone to be left as it is. Some people could argue otherwise. Take many, many, photographs as it is , how it is when you get it home, close-ups, long-shots. Take lots of notes (I shouldn't talk, I am very bad about doing that on my early project). Take lots and lots of photos during the restoration.
Do the research as you are. Then try to equal Gustaf's restoration so that people for generations to come can see what heroes worked with to save lives during that first major modern war. And make sure that they can also know, yours is from what remains of a real one that was used at that time. It, and you, should be honored by it.

Side note; In my collection, packed away, is a USA Medical Corps uniform that has a blood stain on the tunic pocket. I think I value that blood stain more than the uniform itself. It was there. The uniform means something.

Please share with us your journey restoring this treasure.
And maybe even post a few photos of your speedster.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dick Lodge - St Louis MO on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 07:07 pm:

Eduardo, as a complete side note in this discussion, there is another forum member who posts here who is also in Spain. Unfortunately, probably not much use to you for immediate help with anything, since he is about 2,500 km away from you in Santa Cruz de Tenerife... :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Howard D. Dennis on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 07:50 pm:

Eduardo, if you Google George King III + ambulance I think you will get enough info to track him down.

Howard Dennis


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Howard D. Dennis on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 08:00 pm:

Eduardo, see if this helps: http://modelt.org/discus/messages/2/12174.html


Howard Dennis


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 08:11 pm:

Hi Wayne
I appreciate your words and I also believe that the work of Gustaf is sublime.
You have made me think, it is true that the restorations we make try to preserve, honor and display a bygone era.
And if I leave my ambulance in its current state.
Everyone could feel his story
What think ye


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 08:15 pm:

Hi Dick
Thanks for the information, unfortunately, is too far from my


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Howard D. Dennis on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 08:16 pm:

Eduardo, see if this site inspires you:

http://www.ww1history.com/Model_T_Project.php

Howard Dennis


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 08:24 pm:

Hi howard
I will look in detail the link and I will try identify my ambulance.
thanks


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Wells on Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 11:17 pm:

Erik, you mentioned regarding the Long Island New York engine in that ambulance, "In my opinion, those numbers stamped on the block have a very highly stylized script and do not resemble what is typically seen on a block that assembled and stamped in Detroit".

The serial # on my 1919 Runabout, Long Island car also has a perfectly aligned and somewhat stylish serial number script unlike what I've seen from Detroit. I would have to think the very important subject of serial number script would have been covered before. Anybody know?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By kep on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 12:04 am:

If you re-create the body with very old used timber it will blend in with the chassis and cowl very well. If you find a paint the same colour as the paint on the cowl you could paint the re-created body and then smear it with diluted paint stripper on the exposed surfaces and gently sand blast afterward and then mount it to the chassis. It would look old, correct?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erik Johnson on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 12:21 am:

Dave:

I was hoping someone would bring up my comment regarding the serial number.

Maybe I haven't seen enough serial numbers. There does seem to be a variation among the stamps that were used. Some serial numbers are very plain, some are slightly stylized but the numbers on the ambulance block seem very highly stylized and out of the ordinary, at least in my opinion.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Kable on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 01:12 am:

I have always had an interest in the Model T ambulances in the War. Along with several club members we did a Vintage Ford cover years ago. Not only did it help put the world on wheels it contributed a lot more.

Here is a story which appeared in a Australian newspaper in 1918. It shows how much these cars helped during those years. Fingers crossed its readable!!

Ambulance1
ambulance2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Kable on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 01:17 am:

I have always had an interest in the Model T ambulances in the War. Along with several club members we did a Vintage Ford cover years ago. Not only did it help put the world on wheels it contributed a lot more.

Here is a story which appeared in a Australian newspaper in 1918. It shows how much these cars helped during those years. Fingers crossed its readable!!

WW!ambulance01
WW1ambulance02


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Kable on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 01:18 am:

sorry for the repost I was told the first failed???


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 05:41 am:

Eduardo,
It is my opinion, that what you have has been ravaged enough by time, that what is left would have a better effect if it were fully restored as properly as is reasonable. Gustaf B's ambulance is an excellent example of what can be done, whether it is a re-creation or not (I love what he did with that by the way). I would be quite impressed if you could make yours as nice as his is. And yours would still have been restored from an original.

Whether to restore, or preserve is a big question. Having been around the hobby for many years, most of the cars that I have had and restored were in poor enough condition that there was no good reason to preserve them as they were when I got them. It is my opinion, and has been my opinion for a long time, that too many nice original cars that should have been preserved in their "survivor" state have been restored. While we may debate forever where to draw that line, once a car has deteriorated beyond a usable or repairable condition as a whole, restoration is the better path for preservation. We are not talking about 4000 year old pottery here. Looking at a few ancient chips in a glass case in a museum is going to have a different impact than looking at some rusty metal that is only 100 years old.
Again, from your photos, that is MY opinion. For whatever it is worth.
Automobiles from the first few decades of automobile production and development should be seen and experienced to understand how much the world has changed in the past 130 years. They should be driven often for that reason.
Drive carefully,and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Chantrell - Adelaide, Australia on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 06:38 am:

What a great thread!!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 07:43 am:

Wayne
This thread is serving me to ponder for what to do with my ambulance.
On the one hand it could be as a restoration more.
But I think the military vehicles and specifically the wars as bloody as the ww1 and ww2 should be dealt otherwise because explained in this case stories of suffering.
Seeing all the pictures that you sent and the restoration of Gustaf ambulances as they seem to travel in time, it should make us think of what happened and what they suffered by millions of people around the world.
The restoration would serve to honor so many losses.
It is not about a vehicle back to its original state without further if not return your soul and personality to tell us about your story.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 08:41 am:

Eduardo, I agree with Wayne, the condition of your chassis is so bad that there is no original finish left, original finish, pain on a car, blue on a fire arm, and varnish on furniture, should always be preserved if it is in reasonable condition. Any spots of paint you can find on this car should be preserved so they can be analyzed for colour. With original paint, you can get the correct colour to restore the car if the paint spots are thick enough to remove the faded top layer.
Howard posted this link
http://www.ww1history.com/Model_T_Project.php
This is the ambulance reconstruction that got me interested in doing mine, Dave did an outstanding job on his. It is great that there are more examples as we approach the 100 year anniversary of WWI.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 09:29 am:

Gustaf
It is an amazing job.
You have many more resources here than in old Europe.
As for the painting remaining very little, I'll have to investigate the exact color.
Another thing that intrigues me is the wood of the top and some supports to the sides.
Looks like a windshield mount.
could not be in a truck.

ford t 1918


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 09:36 am:

I think the wood and side supports may be a later addition.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 09:42 am:

would be correct for an ambulance?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Wells on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 10:26 am:

Actually Erik, the serial number script on that ambulance is even fancier than mine even though they were stamped at the same plant. Considering the vast quantity Model Ts built, it's possible the stamping tools didn't last long. Ford probably used whatever number stamps they could get from various suppliers and couldn't care less what style they were. What I find more interesting is how some of the stampings like mine are lined up very neatly as if a machine did it and others are so crooked, they look like they were stamped by a five year old. We need to start a separate thread on serial number styles. I'm surprised there isn't one already.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 10:52 am:

"would be correct for an ambulance?" I do not think so, but we must study it more before it is removed.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 11:01 am:

David
You know that plant was manufactured my t


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 11:05 am:

Gustaf
For now follow your advice and not touch anything until it is totally safe.
I need to investigate more .......
It's exciting that I discover


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andre Valkenaers on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 11:24 am:

Eduardo,

Fine find you have there.
In 2008 there was one in Sedan for the international concentration of Model t.
Maybe Olivier Chaban can help you with the information of the owner.
Some pictures:

Good luck
Andre
Belgium


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Patrick on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 12:02 pm:

I seem to recall that the only existng ambulances from the Great War are those recreated using photos. Did any actual ambulances survive to this day? If so, can anyone post a picture? If not, this is one of a kind.

A point to ponder: Since The Great War was such a bloody war, if no ambulances survived, it might be because any of them, that saw service transporting the gravely wounded and dying from the front to the rear were so caked with smelly putrid blood and surrounded by such tragedy and awful memories, they were all probably burned. Jim Patrick


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 12:05 pm:

Andre
gorgeous
The blue color belongs to which corps?.
There are so many models it's hard to find the right one.
Would it be possible to know who did the bodywork?.
There has to be a manufacturer or were sending to Europe and the mounted here.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 12:07 pm:

An interesting side note,The above ambulance is marked to SSU I of the American Field Service, which served the American Ambulance Hospital, this was the first unit of American drivers attached to the French Army, when SSU I was inspected for acceptance to serve at the front, the drivers were standing at attention at the front of their cars with their foot on the hand crank, when they saluted the French officers, the stepped down on the starter cracks and all 10 cars started, it was the first of many great impressions the AFS made on the men they served.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 12:12 pm:

Jim,
There are a very few original ambulances in Europe, I believe there is one original ambulance body in the US, a friend found it in a city maintenance yard in the early 70s and mounted it on a 1917 chassis, it was sold to a fellow in Portland Oregon, but I have been unable to get any information from his as to where it went from there.
Eduardo,
The Horizon Blue was the standard camouflage colour of the French Army, like olive drab is the colour of the American Army and gray is German. The body work on most French ambulances was done in France, the first were constructed by the volunteers of the AFS.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 12:42 pm:

Gustaf
Ford chassis without bodywork sent to Europe and then they placed them different bodywork here, or Ford's sent each country fully finished and finished them and painted according to your needs.
I try to understand the process


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 12:51 pm:

A few complete ambulances were shipped to Europe, but they took too much space in the ships, most cars were purchased in Europe and the bodies built there. When the US entered the was in 1917, they shipped a few complete ambulances, but found that they were easily damaged in shipment, so the remainder were shipped as crated chassis, and bodies in parts. The floors and sides were assembled, but not together, they were fully assembled in France and Italy. I do not know if the body parts were painted before shipment, or if they were painted in Europe, but one period photo that I have seen (but can not find again) showed a US soldier painting trucks in France with a very big brush. Ford ambulances that were not shipped to France often have the cars in their original black finish, with only the body olive drab. (green)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Wells on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 09:41 pm:

Eduardo, from the previous postings that indicated your car was built in New York, That would be the Long Island City Branch Plant as it was called which is part of New York City. Same plant my car was built in. The engine and parts would have been shipped there from Highland Park Detroit along with a block of serial numbers for the day's production. The serial number on the engine was applied at the New York plant making it official. The building still stands, fully restored. You can have lunch there as I'd like to do one day.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 - 09:18 am:

David
Thanks for the info, I'm trying to keep track of my ambulance since leaving Highland Park..
Not far'll get but the search is very exciting.
It would be awesome if you could go from your car to where it was Built.
He left the plant 95 years ago and now you're in front of it with the same car.
I hope someday fulfill your dream.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jay - In Northern California on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 - 10:49 am:

Here's another photo to add.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 - 10:52 am:

Jay
I'm sorry but I can not see it
You can reload it, please?
Thank you.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 - 11:36 am:

beautiful
I have said nothing


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 - 12:55 pm:

The requirement for a great number of vehicles caused the Medical Department to establish the Motor Ambulance Supply Depot in June 1917 at Louisville, Kentucky, to provide ambulance supply, repair, and salvage as well as a school for mechanics. Its staff included six Sanitary Corps officers. The department procured and shipped to Europe 3,070 GMC and 3,805 Ford ambulances. The vehicles were sent unassembled in two sections, the chassis and the body, because assembled vehicles were often damaged in transit. A motor ambulance assembly detachment of three Sanitary Corps officers and sixty technicians at St. Nazaire, France, prepared the ambulances for combat service. The detachment began assembling the vehicles at the rate of four per day in January 1918, a rate which later increased to fifteen per day.58 In September 1918 the assembly functions and the Sanitary Corps officers involved with this mission were transferred to the Army's newly formed Motor Transportation Corps.

ford t 1918


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 - 01:00 pm:

Hey Jay,
I had not seen that photo before, it is a great photo of one of the first 2450 M1917 bodies made by Ford with the misaligned floor and sides. The cut pillar behind the rear wheel can be seen as well as the bent bracket to align the improperly drilled holes.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Thursday, August 22, 2013 - 07:13 am:

hello again
I have thousand and one questions
somebody can you tell me what color is it ambulance paint?
what wood was used for build the box of ambulance?
be can get the reference of color a modern distributor.
I can find here in Spain Dupont y Ppg


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Thursday, August 22, 2013 - 09:01 am:

Hello Eduardo,
A good hard wood like ash is used for the frame work, Oak is not used anywhere as it is too heavy and weak. Colour depends on the nationality of the unit that it will be marked to. think that Olivier Chaban in France would be the best person to ask. I am trying to find contact information for him as well as George King II, they would both be a great help..


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andre Valkenaers on Thursday, August 22, 2013 - 09:25 am:

Eduardo and Gustaf,

I just send you information by E-mail of Olivier Chabanne.

Andre

Belgium


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roger Karlsson, southern Sweden on Thursday, August 22, 2013 - 09:32 am:

The panels on the 1918 ambulance were made of some early type of masonite(?) called Autosote made by the Hemasote company according to this thread: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/257047/280821.html?1334429987
It's likely the 1917 ambulance bodies were made of some similarily low grade materials since almost noone has survived to this day.

I still wonder if this is one of the Baker brother replicas from the early 80's - or the real thing?
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/149091.html
ambulance


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Treace, North FL on Thursday, August 22, 2013 - 09:46 am:

Adv page on the body panels in early years made of wood fiber.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Thursday, August 22, 2013 - 12:32 pm:

I believe that Eduardo's body would not have been made of vehisote, with that type of cowl, it would more likely have had a French body on it, and they were made of tongue and grove boards.
Roger, I think the ambulance on the trailer is a reproduction, it looks to me like the car is a later model.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDUARDO on Thursday, August 22, 2013 - 07:30 pm:

THANK YOU, ANDRE
MORE QUESTIONS.
Identificatión of ambulances AFS ww1.
Is possible know the number SSU of my ambulance with the frame number?
I THINK HAD 72 UNITS MORE LESS


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Thursday, August 22, 2013 - 11:46 pm:

Eduardo, There are few records of serial numbers that are public, I do have a record of the serial numbers of all the ambulances and trucks used by Evacuation Ambulance Company # 8, so they were recorded, but probably at the company level. I doubt that this would have been an AFS ambulance as the AFS was part of the USAAS by mid 1917.


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