Ambosled
This
radical Kustom "Ambosled" originally started out as a 1949 Ambulance. The
Ambo was purchased back in 1996 when I was 14 years old. Over a five year
period it received many modifications and in the end had 2 wild Kustom paint
jobs.
The
first thing we attacked was the roof chopping about five inches out.
the centre section of the rood was a screwed in panel so it was replaced
with a '76 valiant roof. Next thing to be done was to replace the ugly
screwed on roof gutters with 1/4 inch rod to keep the smooth look. We then
channelled it 3 inches so that I could get it low enough without scrubbing
the chassis etc.
The
doors have been lengthened 140 mm (raked B pillars) with the side windows
and rear door all keeping the same rake to give the Ambo attitude.
Work
then began on the rear of the car. Both rear doors were welded together
using escort hinges opening to the passenger side. Taillights came from late
model Chev Silverado truck and are moulded in. To prevent scraping the rear
we decided to french the exhaust through the body. The rear bumpers were
made up from exhaust tube and then welded to the body (as there were none to
start with.)
With
the rear looking the part, next was the side on look. The side entry door
which used to be behind the drivers was welded shut. The rear wheel openings
were altered to look like the front and make the Ambo look lower. Each of
the doors have push button door locks and radius corners. The passenger side
has a Mazda 929 electronic fuel door.
Next
was the front sheet metal which we began with the mirrored grille. That all
came as my original centre bullet was stuffed and I had to track down a new
one. I eventually picked up a '50 grille which had a mint bullet so it was
decided to cut out and mould the bumper t suit the mirror surround.
Frenched
HD headlight rims and XF Ford Falcon indicators were also used in the
process. Now for the bonnet - I was going to go tilt front but I then
decided on going tilt bonnet like the '80's small cars (Mazda etc).
The drive train consists of a stock 221 Windsor and two speed auto hooked up onto a Centura diff. The wheels are USA KMC 15x7 "Twisters".
As the floor was rusted and I had channelled the vehicle we got rid of the floor and on checking out the local wreckers it was found the 929 Mazda floor and seats would do the trick. This also gives you the handbrake, tunnel, seat mounts and sea belts.
The
interior was then passed to Blakemore's Upholstery, as he was keen to
something other than Falcons and Commodores. Salmon leather was used on the
seats, with tan used on the hoodlining and elsewhere as a contrast. It also
features inlaid flames and graphics. The rear floor consists of Tassie oak
and a flamed lightbox. Many thanks to Peter Blakemore.
To
help make my Ambo stand out it required
a full on Kustom paint job. The original scheme is shown in this photo on
the right. This and the later paint scheme which is shown in the other
photos on this page were performed by my father Lindsay Houston.
