My personal opinion on the matter (at least as far as the backstory to the movie) is that the Ecto-1 was definately an ambulance before the GB’s converted it. I’m just going by the shape & appearance of the thing when Ray pulled up in it. For one, it looked like an ambulance; it didn’t have that sort of fancy look that a hearse has, and the paint job looked nothing like what you’d see on a hearse. Secondly, it already had a siren. How many hearses have you seen that had a siren? I know a lot of GB fans out there insist that the Ecto-1 was a hearse because of the whole connection with death and ghosts, but personally, I can’t see how it could have possibly been the case (unless of course it was a hearse before it was an ambulance, but I doubt it).
well the body style isn’t an ambulance…most ambulances have what they call a hightop, where the roof has been extended
the combonation was used BOTH as a hearse and an ambulance…back in the day, especially in smaller towns the funeral homes and ambulance services were one and the same and used the same vehicle…hell I grew up an a small Ga town and ours was like that till 1985. A combonation would generally be black but have lights and sirens on them. Some had removable landau panels. (thats the bar on the side that looks like an S) when you take the panel off there’s a window under it.
So anyway regardless of if you think it was a hearse or an ambulance you’re right as it was both!
Yeah, like I said before and like he said. My vote is still that it was more than likely used as both.
I live above a funeral home that my grandparents have owned since 1965, and going by their stories from that time period, the vast majority of hearses during that period of time saw double-duty as an ambulance. The red and white vehicles with the specially designed roofs would have been owned by very few hospitals in big cities, whereas most cities and small towns (like Americus) would be served by an ambulance run by the, you guessed it, local funeral home. Once again, in bigger cities, and a few smaller towns with a particularly wealthy funeral home, you would see some dedicated hearses with back panels and leather/vinyl covered roofs with landau bars on the sides. (There were and still are such things as limo-style hearses that are not equipped to be ambulances at all; it’s a style preference.)
But black cars with limo-style windows and a few somewhat low-key lights on the top and oxygen equipmet in the back? Oh yeah, those are combos, and saw double-duty.
So the Ecto was originally both. :lol:
Yeah but don’t you guys notice that when ray pulls up she has the ‘truck’ size/style side mirrors, same as when he’s under her hood, but then when you see her pull out of the firehouse the first time they’re the round ‘car’ size/style side mirrors? There were more than one ecto going on in that film.
That’s true. They used two cars in the movie.
What is still not clear is what happen to the black car after the movie? One story said that it was sold to Universal Studios in Florida so they can use it for the Ghostbusters show (now owned by someone else) and another story said that it was sold to Cleveland (I hope I got the location right.).
I beleive it was converted into an Ecto1 carbon copy some time later, which is interesting because where the f**k is it? According to what I have heard, the small side mirrors were used on hearse-use while the truck style were used more on the ambulance, because you’d need to be able to see behind you more in a car that has huge blind spots. Just what I’ve heard.
I think you are right about it being converted and I think it was sold to a man in Ohio. It would be nice to get a “where are they now” page of all of the stuff (packs , cars , misc props) even if it was just to see them in dire condition , just to know they havn’t been thrown out or are getting battered on and turning into dust…ok so the ecto’s are covered
on a side note has anyone visited proptopia to see Venkman71’s visit with the car? Lots of changes and (rattle can) paint :evil:
Yeah, it’s sad. But at least it not been scrapped. True they’ve removed a few things from her, but all in all at least the Ecto’s still intact (for the most part).
My personal belief, in the context of the story Ecto-1 was a former ambulance.
Of course in reality, the vehicle isn’t as clearly defined but it’s ‘true’ use never did interest me too much.
I’d love to see pictures and no, you won’t be an asshole for doing so. These things are harder and harder to come by and I think the remaining cars should be shown when possible.
Ok, sure. I’ll post a couple.
Everything is included. The bumpers and trim and what not. I already have the engine rebuilt (from the 1961 Cad Superior I bought and sold awhile back). It’s the same engine type, 390ci V8. I will be paid for very soon. I’m very excited. This is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. And like I said before, I’m dealing with a super great guy. I really couldn’t have lucked out any better. 
you have a little cadillac on that dirt there…lol j/k I am seriously jealous. I wish you nothing but the best with restoring that beauty, and I look forward to her conversion…if again thats what you do 
Yeah, its a little dusty…lol
Oh, yeah, it’s getting converted into an Ecto-1. I already have the lightbars, spotlight with mirror, etc. It’s going to be sweet.
Thanks for the pictures. Looks like a very good starting point…I’ve seen classic vehicles in a lot worse shape come out very nice. Having the correct car to make your Ecto will really pay off in the long run. Nice find and good luck.
Thanks a lot. I’m very excited. It’s going to be as close to 100% externally accurate as possible. The inside is going to be a different story. I’m putting a second bench seat in the back for more people, alond with some lcd tvs, gaming systems, etc. It’s going to be a lot more “fun” and more importantly, funcational on the inside. It’s going to look like an eposide of “Pimp my Ecto” with all the cool stuff I’m going to put in her. lol I’m going to have a modified stretcher in the back as well, for 4 packs (all with the works too; sound, lights, etc.). It just takes time. And I’m not afraid to take my time on her to get it done right. (A motto that a lot of us should live by, 
) 
Geez. I know all that is going to take a while, but I can’t wait to see pics of this fantastic project over the months (years?).
Looks like you going to have lots of work ahead of you but I bet once it is done, it will look excellent.
Yeah, I’m going to keep a “picture journal” of the whole thing. I’m giving the project like 5 years. It gives me time to afford it lol, plus this way it will be done right.
Oh yeah, lots of work to say the least. But your right, once its done, it is going to look excellent. We’re talking Bill and Ted EXCELLENT! :lol: 8)
AWSOME! 8)