New to the Shilo Museum:WW1 Cadillac Ambulance

[rob love]

I spent the morning cleaning through the treasures and rubbish that had collecCted in the back of the truck. There were a few pleasant surprises.

I can confirm it is a 1912 Cadillac by the serial number. I also found the electric starter in the back. These were supposedly the first autos with an electric starter, which actually startes the engine through the timing gears rather than the flywheel. It also uses a 6 volt system, but by changing the batteries circuitry for start up, provides 24 volts to the starter. While that starter is there, someone has converted it to a more conventional 5 volt starter (still through the timing gears however).

The bulk of the woodwork is there for the canopy over the driver. The bulk of the military canvas is also there. No signs of red crosses anywhere, nor any signs that a stretcher would fit into the truck.

Amazingly, the canvas for the front still included the plastic (?) windows in remarkable shape for a 103 year old vehicle.

I had to leave the job to finish up a carb rebuild on the lynx, but tomorrow I'll vacuum out the dirt and dust, place back into it what belongs to her, and she will have to wait her turn for work. There are one or two other projects that have to be done first.

Wish I was closer to help you with it but have to concentrate on the wedding that's coming up soon!

What can one say to that.