Barnette Dance

Michael Della Gala liked the item we did back in June 2006 about ambulance conversions by Guy Barnette and Co. of Memphis, Tennessee. In his home town of Utica, New York, the Masonic Home Hospital ordered a Chevrolet ambulance in 1951. A Chevy sedan delivery was duly shipped from Detroit to Memphis, where Barnette proceeded to stretch it some three and a half feet. The resulting ambulance served the hospital for 19 years, before being relegated to maintenance duty.

Michael's friend Ron Gigliotti tried to buy it in 1966, to no avail. Ron wouldn't be dissuaded, though. Every year he'd go back and ask again. Finally, in 1975, he got "yes" for an answer. Michael's wife did her nurse's training in Utica, part of it at Masonic Home Hospital when the Chevy ambulance was still in service. When Michael mused about buying it she didn't discourage him. It seemed right that the ambulance should come home with them. Two gallons of gas, new spark plugs and a new battery got it running. A trailer transported it to their home in California.

Michael drove it as it was for a few years, then entrusted it to Athans Auto Body in Covina for restoration. They cut out all the rust and welded in new metal. The windows were difficult to remove intact, but many panes survived. It's now beautifully restored, from grille to back door, even down to the tires and wheels. Inside there's a new wood floor with a storage drawer on one side, and a folding attendant's seat on the other. It looks good from any angle. It's one of three Chevys to which Barnette gave the long stretch. Compare it to this Pontiac that our Professional Correspondent Gregg D. Merksamer snapped at Hershey a few years ago.

Thanks to Michael for providing his story and the pix to illustrate it.