1973: DODGE “MEDICRUISER” AMBULANCE

This a 1973 Dodge “Medicruiser” high-roof van ambulance, which was built by the Wayne/DIVCO Corporation in Blytheville, Arkansas. Wayne Corporation had recently absorbed both the Miller-Meteor of Piqua, Ohio, which built professional car ambulances on Cadillac chassis, and the Cotner-Bevington companies, which built professional car ambulances on the Oldsmobile ’98 chassis. Wayne/DIVCO first introduced the 53″ headroom “Vangard 53” in 1971. Then, in 1972, the company introduced the Chevy “Vangard 60” with 60 inches of headroom in the patient compartment. In 1973 Dodge totally redesigned its vans and introduced the Dodge “Tradesman” line. Wayne/DIVCO then introduced the Dodge “Medicruiser”, which was considered as one of the top-engineered ambulances of its time and is still a legend among veteran EMS professionals that experienced the Dodge “Medicruiser”.

Submitted to NEMSM March 2008 by T. Barlett