Most urban and suburban ambulances from the 1950s through the mid-1970s looked like flashy station wagons and were built on modified, heavy-duty, long-wheelbase sedan frames. The most successful of these was Cadillac’s Commercial Chassis. Recognizing the size restrictions of the tight interiors, the 1973 National EMS Systems Act established guidelines that moved the ambulance industry entirely to truck- and van-based models as of 1978. Clearly, this 1977 Ford Bronco ambulance doesn’t fit either standard, making the unrestored SUV that much more fascinating to vintage Bronco fans.
This 1977 Ford Bronco was built by Bill Stroppe as a Balloon Chaser Ambulance. In 1977 Ford sponsored a man name Karl Thomas who was attempting to set a record hot air transcontinental balloon flight. Ford had Stroppe design the chase vehicles, which included three Ford Econoline vans, three F-100 Stepside 2wd pickups and Two Broncos, one of which was set-up as an ambulance…you know just in case. The ‘ambulance’ was operated by two EMT’s (Emergency Medical Technicians) out of Los Angeles. The balloon, called the (Ford) Limited Edition Sail, piloted by veteran balloonist Karl Thomas, broke the record, covering the trip in 18 days.
News Release:
BLYTHE, Calif. (UPI) — Balloonist Karl Thomas, is seeking half a dozen hot-air balloon records as he attempts a transcontinental flight. Thomas, a 28-year-old German-born clinical psychologist from Troy,
Mich., launched the flight from the Santa Anita Race Track Infield at 3:15 a.m. PST Tuesday, hoping to reach Florida within 12 days. He is attempting to break the standing cross-country hot-air balloon record of31 days set several years ago. Thomas’ zig-zag course over Phoenix. Roswell, N.M., Dallas, Tex. and Jackson, Miss, is being followed on the ground by an 18-man chase crew supplied by the Ford Motor Co., sponsor of the attempt. Thomas was nearly killed last summer when he tried to be the first person to cross the Atlantic Ocean alone in a balloon. His balloon was torn apart by a violent storm about 800 miles out and he spent four days in a life raft before he was rescued by a Russian trawler. His five-foot by five-foot wicker basket carries little food or survival gear, but he is equipped with a two-way radio and a CB unit to talk with other CB’ers as he crosses the country. His handle is”Lightbulb.”
The Bronco was equipped with a Warn 8274 winch on the front, off-road lights to aid in nighttime operations, a mechanical siren on the front bumper, and amber beacon on the roof, and a pair of red ’emergency’ spotlights. A pair of rescue baskets were secured to the roof, and the interior was loaded with a fire extinguisher, stretcher, medical equipment, and supplies.
The cockpit is also equipped with a CB radio to communicate with the balloon, a handheld spotlight, and a flexible map light.
(James Duff with the Stroppe Ambulance Bronco)
Stroppe kept the Bronco in storage and eventually sold it to James Duff in 1998. James Duff, who manufactures accessories for Ford Bronco’s, purchased the Bronco Ambulance and displayed it in their showroom in Sequim. When James Duff moved their business to Tennessee in the fall of 2006 they sold the Bronco to Don Peroni. Don has maintained the one-off piece of Bronco history and shows it off to the public from time to time.
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