The primary difference between the manufacturing of police cars and the building of ambulances is amount of work done by the automaker itself.
Most police vehicles are built almost entirely at their original manufacturer’s factory, and are later upfitted with department-specific gear such as light bars, sirens, and radio/electronic equipment. However, ambulances and other “professional vehicles” undergo significant structural and body modifications at a number of specialized coachbuilders after they leave their OEM production facility.
Historically, this meant that carmakers tended to market police cars themselves, while the aftermarket coachbuilding firms took on the task of advertising ambulances.
For your entertainment, we have amassed 15 classic ambulance ads and brochure covers, most of which were created by independent conversion companies.
If you’re an ambulance/service-vehicle enthusiast, please tell us about it. Be sure to let us know which is your favorite example of the group.
Law-Enforcement Madness! 35 Police Car Brochure Covers
1946 Chevrolet by National Body
1951 Chevrolet by National Body
1953 Chrysler by Economy Coach
1953 Ford by Economy Coach
1958 Cadillac by Miller-Meteor
6 Coolest Police Vehicles of 2018
1960 Cadillac
1960 Ford by Siebert
1961 Amblewagon
1961 Rambler
1961 Chrysler by Richard Brothers
1962 Rambler
Taxi Madness! 8 Classic Checker Ads
1964 National Coaches
1974 Dodge by National Custom Coaches
1976 Ford by Grumman