Where are they now … LaGrange « chicagoareafire.com

Where are they now … LaGrange

This from Martin Nowak:

Months ago I ran into the owner of this former ambulance. He told me it came from La Grange Fire Department. After serving the fire department, it moved over to the police department and then was sold at a public auction. The owner said he was thinking of working on it. Recently saw this rig and was able to take pictures. Thanks to Bill Friedrich for finding his photo. 1970’s Chevy Suburban.

former LaGrange Fire Department type II ambulance

Martin Nowak photo

La Grange Fire Department history Type II ambulance

Bill Friedrich photo

Tags: Lagrange Fire Department, LaGrange Fire Department history, Martin Nowak, old ambulance owned by citizen, old ambulance photos, Type II ambulance, where are they now ambulance

This entry was posted on December 15, 2013, 7:53 AM and is filed under Ambulance photos, Historic fire apparatus. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

6 Comments

#1 by Tom Foley on December 16, 2013 - 9:19 PM

Growing up in LaGrange, I remember seeing that unit when it had the police markings.

Even then, I thought it was an odd unit that I never saw except in the parking lot. It had a cage, but so did the squad cars at the time.

Anyone know how the PD used the unit?
- #2 by David on December 8, 2014 - 3:15 PM
  
  LA Grange pd used it. My dad used to work for lgpd. It was turned into a prisoner transport after they closed the courtroom at the PD they needed something to move prisoners quickly and it was in budget but new ambulance had just arrived. So it was painted blue and marked. I remember playing with the lights as a kid in that monster
#3 by Martin Nowak on December 15, 2013 - 9:19 PM

Thanks for the info Richard.
#4 by Martin Nowak on December 15, 2013 - 9:19 PM

I believe so Robert. I think the village sticker said Willow Springs.
#5 by Robert on December 15, 2013 - 1:07 PM

I think he lives in Willow Springs, maybe Martin can conform this
#6 by Richard Keebler on December 15, 2013 - 11:39 AM

I thought I recognized the builder from the current shots, but the in-service picture confirms it. National Custom Coach in Knightstown, IN. One of the best conversion builders there was. Did a lot of Dodge and Chevy vans in addition to the Suburbans. All steel roof extensions….not fiberglass like other builders. Company folded when they failed to make the change to modular.