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I purchased this 1977 Miller-Meteor "Lifeliner" Cadillac ambulance in June 1989, upon its retirement
from its first owner, the North Platte, Nebraska Fire Department. The Fire Department used it only for
occasional over-the-road transportation of patients to long-distance destinations such as Omaha, Denver, and the Mayo Clinic.
As such, it was never subjected to 911 calls or commercial use, and remained in near-new condition. This Lifeliner is unrestored. The interior, glass,
decals and fiberglass roof are all original. The exterior paint has been refinished. In 1991, the exterior
was stripped to bare metal and refinished in basecoat/clearcoat in the original colors of "Omaha Orange" and "Cotillion
White". B.F. Goodrich "Lifesaver" radials, with the period correct tread pattern and whitewalls, were installed.
It was a highly-optioned factory demonstrator, and displayed at the 1977 International Association of Fire
Chiefs convention. The list price was $25,717, and it was sold to the City of North Platte for $24,713.
The Cadillac commercial chassis was assembled in Detroit, and delivered to the Miller-Meteor plant in Piqua, Ohio on May
12, 1977. Body # 77372 designates the vehicle order number (372) among Miller-Meteor's 1977 model year total production
run of professional vehicles (including ambulances, hearses and combination cars). It is powered by a 425 cubic inch
(7.0 liter) V-8 engine, with a controlled differential, dual batteries and a 145-amp alternator. A Federal PA200 electronic
siren with two CP-100 speakers clears traffic, along with two Federal 184H revolving warning lights, four 7" tunnel lights,
four 7" side flashers, two 7" side floodlights, two Unity 5" rear loading lights, and two Unity 6" pillar-mounted spotlights.
The driver-side spotlight was factory-equipped with a red bulb, to satisfy the California requirement that an emergency
vehicle must be equipped with a steady-burning, front-facing red light.
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| October 1977 photo, as a factory demonstrator, taken by Dr. Roger D. White of the Mayo Clinic. |
There is 52" of headroom in the patient compartment. The interior remains in original, as-new
condition, and features "Tiger Lilly" (orange) vinyl upholstery and "Quiet Zone Orange" linoleum. Options
include a roof-mounted backboard compartment, squad bench with Ferno guard rail, tilt / telescopic steering wheel, AM/FM radio
with rear speaker, Rico aspirator, folding IV holder, suspended stretcher brackets, rail assists, a piped Ohio Oxygen
system with two outlets and a 7.12" tank, and an exhaust fan and first aid compartment in the rear door.
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| Patient compartment, in original, as-new condition. |
Bill Begley of Andersen Fire Equipment Co., Inc., was the Miller-Meteor distributor who sold this
ambulance to the City of North Platte in February 1978.
In 1989, Bill gave me his complete, original file documenting its history. This includes everything from
the two-page invoice resembling a window price sticker, sales brochures, City bid specs and payment draft, to the airline
ticket carbons of the individual who flew to Piqua, Ohio to pick up the car, the factory release papers, and the gas receipts
from the drive back.
I have also separately obtained a
complete set of factory sales literature, including a sample book of interior upholstery and linoleum materials.
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| The Lifeliner shares quarters with my 1968 Miller-Meteor Cadillac. |
Ambulance production data has been exhaustively researched by myself and other members of the Professional
Car Society. This particularly applies to the downsized, 144.5" wheelbase Cadillac commercial chassis from
model years 1977-1979.
Fifty-one Cadillac ambulances
were built. Miller-Meteor built 21 (including one titled as a 1978). Superior Coach of Lima, Ohio built
30: 10 each of model years 1977, 1978 and 1979. I
have photographs of 18 of the 21 Lifeliners, and 29 of the 30 Superiors, thanks to friends from the Professional Car Society.
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| Optional overhead backboard compartment, loading lights and rear step bumper. |
This Lifeliner was an award winner at each Professional Car Society International meet it has attended:
1998 (Chicago) and 1993 (Chatham, Ontario).
My 1968 Miller-Meteor Cadillac ambulance
The Professional Car Society.
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