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Daimler

Alf

Alf

Gone but not forgotten. R.I.P.
Daimler Ambulances were my favourite when I was a lad, anyone remember other makes :)

Or have a photo :)
 
Alf, you will find lots of Daimler ambulances both real ones and models if you Google- Daimler Ambulances. Fascinating load of stuff to look at.
 
Jennyann thank you had a look got enough to get my teeth in there. ^-^
 
hi chaps i am a ambulance man if you want to see the old ambulances chelmsley wood station have a great range they have all been restored great to see
 
Andy, I've got a lot of time for ambulance people. They saved my life and for that I will be eternally gratefull. O0 :smitten:
 
In 1940-50 the bham hospital contributary association ran the bham ambulances including Morris, Dennis,Austin, Vauxhall, Commer,Chevrolet!The fire service took over when the NHS started and used Humber,Austin and Daimler and some army austin K2 ambulances I drove many as a St. John volunteer.
 
I certainly remember the Daimler ambulances which came out in the later 1950s, many of which were based in the new depot in Summer Lane, opposite the old power station.
I used to think they were very handsome, and understood that they were comfortable, not I ever had to use one. I understand they were different in having a cranked chassis frame, which allowed a much lower floor than the earlier makes. This would have been just before integral bodies were designed which did away with separate chassis.
Peter
 
Very nearly, John, as I remember. The bodywork may have been a little less bulbous-looking, and I think it had straighter corners, if you know what I mean, and the bonnet was a bit straighter too. They were painted cream, and I that they were very smart efficient vehicles. You can see the low floor from the London photo. But it was 50 years ago, and I had no special interest in them, so my impression might be wrong.
Peter
 
There were the Austin based ones (Austin Sheerline chassis I think).

I seem to recall being told that they had the universal joint at the front of the propshaft [rear of the gearbox] instead of at the rear next to the differential.

That would make it interesting if the universal failed as the prop shaft could drop and dig into the road surface. Ever seen an Austin Ambulance doing somersaults? I was told Austin had to fit a 'U' shaped piece of metal from the floor around the propshaft to catch it if it failed.

Now can anyone tell me if this is true or an urban myth as I cannot for the life of me recall who told me.
 
Bernard, prop shafts have U/Js at both ends but it's true that if the front end broke it could cause the vehicle to rise like a pole vaulter, most vehicles had the necessary U shaped bracket to catch it.
I did see it happen to a Ford Escort van outside the WBA football ground years ago and its misfortune didn't end there, it was shunted from behind by an HGV. E.
 
kenh said:
In 1940-50 the bham hospital contributary association ran the bham ambulances including Morris, Dennis,Austin, Vauxhall, Commer,Chevrolet!The fire service took over when the NHS started and used Humber,Austin and Daimler and some army austin K2 ambulances I drove many as a St. John volunteer.
Click to expand...

In 1946 we had a K2 Ambulance stationed near the Pack Horse Hollywood manned by the Red Cross they took me to the Children's in November 1946. I think the Ambulance's at the station in Ladywood Road had Supported by The Birmingham Hospital Saturday Fund on the side, my father payed into this fund out of he's pay and it was this fund that payed for my treatment. I think it was a Daimler which took me later to Moseley Hall in February 1947.
 
Bedford used to make ambulances for both military and civy use. Very few diesel versions in the early days as too slow.
 
When I started on service in 1970s,We had the Bedford Ambulance.It was only the Reds that had the blue lights and two tones.They were adding blue lights to some of the older Ambulances,but they still had the bell on the front.Remember the new infux of Ambulances being delivered,They had the cots in the back instead of the stretchers,Cannot remember exactly the name of the company that carried out the outfitting of vehicles thing something like Hanlon,
 
The Guy Wolf pictured at Aston Manor was used by Guy Motors themselves at their Wolverhampton works so a lot of history to it as well as rarity.
 
A foot note which may be of interest, just this week i was at hob moor ambulance station and it appears through the efforts of some ex ambulance men and the service thinking about heritage a lottery fund has been acquired and a round up of old vehicles is taking place to form a collection to be cared for in Nottingham. The old cream Bedford has gone over and finally in from the elements and to be restored is a lovely Ford Thames from 1956. Well done lads ! more info ,when i know more.
 
cearnegiant said:
When I started on service in 1970s,We had the Bedford Ambulance.It was only the Reds that had the blue lights and two tones.They were adding blue lights to some of the older Ambulances,but they still had the bell on the front.Remember the new infux of Ambulances being delivered,They had the cots in the back instead of the stretchers,Cannot remember exactly the name of the company that carried out the outfitting of vehicles thing something like Hanlon,
Click to expand...

Yes, it was Hanlon's.

They "tarted up" some of our old ambulances in the Nineties. It was an effort to save money. It didn't work though !
 
The first Birmingham ambulances to have 2 stretcher cots were bought in 1968, fleet numbers 214 and 258 reg numbers POM97G and POM98G. 214 was at Bristol Road and 258 at Henrietta Street,both had Lomas bodies The first Hanlon bodied Bedford J1's were bought in 1970. With regard to the Daimler ambulances,there were 499 made, 12 of which were bought by Birmingham. I may be a bit of an anorak,but I belong to the ambulance heritage society.We have in excess of 40 classic ambulances in our care,including an ex military Austin K2 an Austin K8 welfarer which is ex Birmingham.There is also a Humber Pullman,a Bedford Kz 4 Bedford J1's and 2 Morris commercials along with a number of Morris LD's. We have a web site www.ambulanceheritagesociety.com where photo's and information is available. I forgot to mention that we have 2 Daimlers,one in very nice condition and one under restoration.Malcolm
 
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Thanks for that Malcolm - I have taken the liberty to make the link clickable.



Bernie
 
The Ambulance Heritage Society is at present trying to find a suitable location to display our vehicles and large amount of memorabilia and photo,s many of which are linked to Birmingham.I will keep you posted of any further developments.
 
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