It's been some 30 years since I've seen this, but quickly googled the movie for images and the ambulance van looks to be a mid 70's CHEVY or GMC with custom headlights. The car based ambulance that was used by others is a 1972 Cadillac. Hope that helps.
shareThere is an ongoing discussion on about the whereabouts of the original unit/ambulance. What is known is this:
"The high top Chevy van ambulance driven by "Mother' was not a Wayne. It was a late 1975 Stoner that had been built especially for 20th Century Fox for the movie"
The current discussion is here:
http://www.professionalcar.org/forums/showthread.php?p=87448#post87448
A previous discussion about it and the other units in the picture is located here:
http://www.professionalcar.org/forums/archive/index.php/t-2828.html
Both F&B Cadillacs were Superior ambulances, after filming, Schafer's Ambulance bought both.
One was based in Wilmington, CA. until the late 70s, still in the red, white and blue colors used in the film.
As it's been said before it was a '75 Chevrolet G20 with a Stoner ambulance upfit and custom work, such as dual quad headlamps, custom grille, white mag wheels and a ground effects kit. It was a bad-assed truck, one I'd love to have today.
sharePlus don't forget that sweet long barreled Colt Python .357 magnum he packs in it, in case of crazied junkies that look like Toni Basil.
shareAs far as I know there were two rigs built for the movie. After filming one was givin away as in a radio contest. I believe IT was won by someone serving in the Marines at the now closed El Toro Air Station. This I know because I had seen it in a parking lot in 1979 a I saw the El Toro Parking decal in the windsheild. Unfortunatly the rig had been modified from its original apperance in the movie.the eight headlights had been replaced with just four, a front bumper had been installed most likly to comply to vehicle codes. But the greatest tragedy of all,on the side was painted the lettering "Afternoon Delight." A few year later I seen it again and it had been repainted a light beige color.
As for the second rig still owned by 20th Century, it was used again in a failed television pilot for a Mother Jugs & Speed series, which aired but did not sell.
Afterwards the rig was converted to resemble a regular ambulance and used as a prop vehicle. I used to see on episoded of Trapper John M.D.
Where are they now? I can only hope that by some miracle one or both somehow survived the wrecking yard and are stitting somewere waiting to be found and restored to their former glory.
I just spotted one of the Caddy rigs in an episode of Charlie's Angels called Angel on High. It's at the scene where the guy from New York is shot at the lady's house. It still has the F&B on the side and same paint scheme.
shareWhen I started my career as a medic in San Diego, (1978) the Cadillac was parked at Schaeffer Gold Cross in La Mesa for quite a while. I clearly recall Gold Cross EMT's sniffng the driver's seat.
We were all so mature in those early years. Although I can't say for sure as other have, Cosby's van in the movie certainly looked exactly like the Chevy Stoners we all drove in the late 70's.
The were great years, well before AMR came along and bastardized what used to be a life-long career.
PatricParamedic
Consultant/Speaker/Author
"America's Dumbest Doctors"
www.MedicalManiacs.com
Excellent report....too bad we couldnt look it uop by lic plate or vin.....
Incredible as it may be one of the rigs has survived and almost completely in its original condition. As I stated in an earlier post more than one rig was built for the movie by the late Dean Jefferies. At first I thought that only two were built but it appears that at least three were made. Not unusual for a star car, since it was used in almost every scene it would make sense so as to not leave anything to chance such as a breakdown our an accident.
In my search for more information I found that the one rig given away in a Los Angeles radio contest by the now defunct 93 KHJ AM was not won by a Marine station at the former El Toro Air Station but in fact by his 15 year old daughter. Yes that's right she wasn't even old enough to drive. I guess in 1976 contest age restriction had been invented yet. The second rig was kept by 20th Century Fox and converted to look like a regular ambulance and used as a prop.
As for the third it was sold as is to the city of Prosser in Washington State and used as a real ambulance with only a few changes. After its service was done it sold to one of the EMTs who actually drove it when it was in service.
For the complete story go to this site http://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-anyone-remember-the-movie-mother-jugs-and-speed
It also has some pictures of the rig as well. So the dream of owning Mother's rig is still alive and well in the State of Washington. Good luck in trying to get this guy to part with it, given his history with it.
But maybe someday.
http://www.7173mustangs.com/attachment.php?thumbnail=24674
http://www.7173mustangs.com/attachment.php?thumbnail=24675