I thought I would share this here given the Ambulance's origins and history. Like most Aircooled VW tragics, I am keen to see that this vehicle's history, a 1965 VW Type27 Krankenwagen (Ambulance), is not lost. The Aliwal North museum is also keen to do a piece on it and keep records etc.
While unfortunately this Kombi has left South Africa but be assured it has found its way into ownership where it will be returned to 'active service' (cruising the east coast of Australia).
If anyone has any more accurate information or history please do not hesitate to correct me but so far this is the history that I have been able to uncover.
This Ambulance / Krankenwagen was German built (I believe all were?) and delivered new from the Aliwal VW dealership - The Hertzrog Bridge Garage. After emailing the now principal dealer, Leslie Munro, I received a brilliant response. Leslie replied that he recalls the Kombi being in the family dealership showroom when he was 11 years old! Leslie also noted that he recalled playing with the internal spotlight inside the left side front window which has helped me understand one of the two abnormal holes in the dash.
The vehicle then serviced Aliwal North for what I estimate to be be next 20 years (love to know more definitively). Hannes from Aliwal North museum has been very helpful and has put me in touch with one of the Ambulance's drivers, Hans, who drove Ambulances in Aliwal North for 33 years!
My understanding from a post on the web was that the car then went into the private collection of Thabu Prinsloo until resurfacing in circa 2013/2014. It was apparently then sold to an Australian dealer based out of Melbourne. A collector friend of mine in Noosa (Queensland, Australia) then purchased the car and it sat for another 12 months or so.
Seeing the car in passing visit in August 2016 I recalled loving the originality and completeness of it, my kids also loved playing in it! A couple months later it was listed for sale - lo and behold my wife agreed it was a good idea to add the old bus to our list of 'project' vehicles.
Having only seen the car in the fleeting visit a few months prior there were a few surprises when I picked it up and set to work on it. Fortunately most of the surprises have been good. I am constantly amazed at how original it was/is. From the original glass and rubbers to original brake drums, linings and hoses - it was obviously well maintained by the Hertzrog Bridge Garage - plug intended! Many of the original Ambulance details also still remain including: ambulance fans, front roof 'Red Cross' light, white laminated side windows, front cabin divider windows, rear cabinetry, rear facing nurses seat, nurse buttons, rear windowless fold down tailgate and IV hooks in the rear patient area. I have since sourced a top rotary light, internal front windscreen spotlight (assumed to be a dealer fitted accessory as per Leslie Munro) and front horns/sirens (ex Europe thanks to TheSamba.com) but it is still missing the stretchers and patients chair.
My goal is to refurbish the mechanicals, sympathetically restore the interior (only touch what needs doing) and preserve the exterior. To allowing my family and I to enjoy the time warp I will be installing some rear seats that meet safety standards but the are obviously removable if I find correct Ambulance seating.
I'll keep this post updated with the refurb process and as any more information/history comes to light. Thanks for your interest!
Cheers
Tom
