Calcutta-1938 Dodge Ambulance-restoration

john a milne · 21st March 2009, 17:42

Calcutta's oldest, The Tollygunge Club, host of one of the best Vintage, Classic, & Modern Car Shows now in it's 10th year has had tucked away a fabulous 1938 Dodge Ambulance that they had purchased new.

Numerous attempts had been made to have it restored and it would appear that this year will be the year! They will be contacting some of the Restoration Works here in Calcutta for quotes.

I have suggested that part of the quote would be to post work in progress photos to share with their members as well as the rest of the V & C enthusiasts on TEAM BHP.

I hope that it will be the Center Piece at next years Tolly Pet & Car Show

john a milne · 21st March 2009, 17:46

Here are a few more photos.

amit V8 · 22nd March 2009, 01:24

a great great car.

would love to see it when it gets restored.

wasif · 22nd March 2009, 10:23

Great pics.

Any idea who was responsible for the coachwork. Was this a sedan converted to an ambulace ?

SirAlec · 22nd March 2009, 20:33

what logo is that on side? hope they keep that during the restoration.

harit · 23rd March 2009, 12:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by wasif

Great pics.

Any idea who was responsible for the coachwork. Was this a sedan converted to an ambulace ?

The Ambulance bodywork does not seem to be factory built. Very often truck chassis were supplied to India, just the chassis, front fenders, bonnet, grill, no cab, no doors. And the cab seems to be quite crude, the way the front windshield is put shows more local construction. Implies that though the construction seems certainly local, it need not be a converted sedan.

john a milne · 23rd March 2009, 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirAlec

what logo is that on side? hope they keep that during the restoration.

It's the Tolly Club logo, a little crude and I would expect that when it is restored they will make a fine logo or crest.

V-16 · 23rd March 2009, 18:54

Interesting wooden cabin. Will be a treat to watch the restoration process.

Dussey · 23rd March 2009, 20:29

Great car ! Very Rare ! Will make a lovely exhibit after restoration.
I like those rear mudguards, very shapely !

john a milne · 24th March 2009, 17:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by harit

The Ambulance bodywork does not seem to be factory built. Very often truck chassis were supplied to India, just the chassis, front fenders, bonnet, grill, no cab, no doors. And the cab seems to be quite crude, the way the front windshield is put shows more local construction. Implies that though the construction seems certainly local, it need not be a converted sedan.

When looking at the photos more closely the rear fenders match the front, could they have taken a car and cut out the body to fit the ambulance?

will try and get more information if possible.

chanu · 18th July 2009, 23:34

I guess it might have been a dodge 1938 convertible on which the coach has been fit to serve victorian medical needs. found out this picture surfing google to substantiate the guess work. Vehicle seems to been aside for many years, wonder why the tyres have not got flattened. Does the logo on the body remind us of the LUCAS Logo...Hmm.

IndrojitSircar · 30th July 2009, 16:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by john a milne

It's the Tolly Club logo, a little crude and I would expect that when it is restored they will make a fine logo or crest.

Quote:

Originally Posted by john a milne

When looking at the photos more closely the rear fenders match the front, could they have taken a car and cut out the body to fit the ambulance?

will try and get more information if possible.

Hi what is the update on this restoration?Who is going to be doing or has started restoration on this car?Can we have some pics of the restoration in progress if possible.

john a milne · 30th July 2009, 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndrojitSircar

Hi what is the update on this restoration?Who is going to be doing or has started restoration on this car?Can we have some pics of the restoration in progress if possible.

They have a new manager at the Tolly and would suggest a few members email him to ask about the Dodge.

IndrojitSircar · 30th July 2009, 18:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by john a milne

They have a new manager at the Tolly and would suggest a few members email him to ask about the Dodge.

I would like to know his id wouldn't mind doin it for the sake of another vintage.

john a milne · 3rd August 2009, 23:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndrojitSircar

I would like to know his id wouldn't mind doin it for the sake of another vintage.

Would suggest you google "Tolly Club" to get his name, I think it is Mukherjee. I had meet him a month before he was to take over from Mr Menon and he showed me the car and seemed to be interested in having it done up.

I had written a letter to Mr Menon about having it restored for the next Tolly car show and if I still have it will send you a copy.

Looking forward to seeing some more photos from your works.

John

21st March 2009, 17:42	#1
john a milne BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto / Calcutta Posts: 908 Thanked: 462 Times View My Garage	Calcutta-1938 Dodge Ambulance-restoration Calcutta's oldest, The Tollygunge Club, host of one of the best Vintage, Classic, & Modern Car Shows now in it's 10th year has had tucked away a fabulous 1938 Dodge Ambulance that they had purchased new. Numerous attempts had been made to have it restored and it would appear that this year will be the year! They will be contacting some of the Restoration Works here in Calcutta for quotes. I have suggested that part of the quote would be to post work in progress photos to share with their members as well as the rest of the V & C enthusiasts on TEAM BHP. I hope that it will be the Center Piece at next years Tolly Pet & Car Show Attached Thumbnails
	(1) Thanks

21st March 2009, 17:46	#2
john a milne BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto / Calcutta Posts: 908 Thanked: 462 Times View My Garage	Here are a few more photos. Attached Thumbnails
	(1) Thanks

22nd March 2009, 01:24	#3
amit V8 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: kolkata Posts: 1,070 Thanked: 217 Times	a great great car. would love to see it when it gets restored.
	() Thanks

22nd March 2009, 10:23	#4
wasif Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Abu Dhabi (for now) Posts: 2,957 Thanked: 414 Times	Great pics. Any idea who was responsible for the coachwork. Was this a sedan converted to an ambulace ?
	() Thanks

22nd March 2009, 20:33	#5
SirAlec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: zxc Posts: 3,395 Thanked: 727 Times	what logo is that on side? hope they keep that during the restoration.
	() Thanks

23rd March 2009, 18:54	#8
V-16 Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: mumbai Posts: 4,594 Thanked: 954 Times View My Garage	Interesting wooden cabin. Will be a treat to watch the restoration process.
	() Thanks

23rd March 2009, 20:29	#9
Dussey BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 253 Thanked: 177 Times View My Garage	Great car ! Very Rare ! Will make a lovely exhibit after restoration. I like those rear mudguards, very shapely !
	() Thanks

18th July 2009, 23:34	#11
chanu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: APX to AP 29 Posts: 1,483 Thanked: 150 Times View My Garage	I guess it might have been a dodge 1938 convertible on which the coach has been fit to serve victorian medical needs. found out this picture surfing google to substantiate the guess work. Vehicle seems to been aside for many years, wonder why the tyres have not got flattened. Does the logo on the body remind us of the LUCAS Logo...Hmm. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by chanu : 18th July 2009 at 23:43. Reason: additional information
	() Thanks