10-4 Magazine - For Today's Trucker

Writers And Their (Odd) Rigs
MOVE OVER FOR TEN-FOUR!

This edition of Writers And Their Rigs features an old ambulance that was once owned by Stan Holtzman. As most of you probably know, Stan has been a writer for our magazine for many years (What Ever Happened To...) and is a certified “truck nut” who loves old trucks and the historical aspects of trucking. We knew he was knowledgeable, but who knew he could predict the future! He bought this 1964 Pontiac High-Top ambulance in 1970 from Superior Coach of Santa Fe Springs, CA for $550 and kept it for about seven years. The metallic maroon “rig” with a white top was operated by Schaefer Ambulance Service based in Santa Ana, CA until they retired it around 1969. If you notice the message on the roof between the siren lights, you’ll see that it says “TEN-FOUR!” Stan had the Schaefer name removed and replaced it with a term he was more familiar with. There was a toggle switch on the dash that turned the lighted sign on and off. I guess Stan somehow knew back then that he would end up working with a magazine called 10-4 some 35 years later and that the readers would get a kick out of it - or maybe he just got lucky. Stan is a current national and local member of The Professional Car Society, an organization comprised of folks that collect ambulances (built on automobile chassis), hearses and limousines. The organization has shows, just like truck shows, where everybody gets together to show off their pride and joy. Stan eventually ran out of space to store this vehicle, so he gave it to someone as payment for working on his house in 1977. He hasn’t seen it since. I guess the question begs to be asked: What ever happened to the “TEN-FOUR” ambulance? If you know, contact Stan through the magazine at 1-888-440-4104.