F-250 (F250) Petrol Twin Life Ambulances (1988 to 1995)

In 1987 in the United States Ford introduced the eighth generation of the F-Series truck with a redesigned front grille and headlamps and a more rounded aerodynamic styling. The same panels were also found on the F-250 cab-chassis that was imported by Ford Australia in 1988 and used by Javelin Auto Body works and other ambulance body builders around Australia. By this time, the Twin-Life Ambulance modules were firmly entrenched as standard fitment in all of the St.John Council of South Australia Ambulance Fleet.

Fleet 155 at Blackwood St.John Centre in late 1988. This photo clearly shows the more rounded aerodynamic styling that was adopted at the commencement of the 1988 model year F-250 petrol cab chassis. At this time, Javelin Bodyworks also started to use the flared wheel arch utility trays that were a feature of that year’s F-150 models (Photo supplied by Kevin Marsland).

A nighttime view of Fleet 155, in the car park of Blackwood Centre around 1990 showing the location of the reflective tape and the illuminated ambulance sign above the air intake to the patient compartment air-conditioning vent (Photo supplied by Lyndon Abbott).

Another view of Fleet 155 around 1988 showing the three red Hella repeater lamps on the front grille and the reflective tape on the front of the matt black bonnet. Lyndon Abbott is at the wheel, and please note that the Hella beacons are smaller and more rounded compared with those later fitted to Fleet 102 and 145 below. The older style illuminated Ambulance top sign is simpler than the fancy ones on the later ambulances. The fleet number is plain and not as fancy as the one on 145 below but 155 does have the SJQ-155 SA Festival-State number plate (Photo supplied by Kevin Marsland).

Fleet 102 in its red non St.John livery at Fulham Gardens, around 1991. Note the grooved rear wheel arch showing this as an earlier F-100 ute-tray module that is on its second time round. External locker 14 behind the driver door contained the rescue kit (Photo supplied by Lyndon Abbott).

By the time of the 1990 MY (Model Year) Ford Australia had started to sell the updated F-250 Ambulance chassis with a 5.8 litre engine and ABS rear brakes.

Fleet 145 again in the red-writing livery on the road. The F-150s still had all red beacons, but these are of the later more squared off style like Fleet 102. This unit has the smooth rear wheel-arch module, and the SJQ number plate like 155 above (Photo supplied by Lyndon Abbott).

Fleet 69 out the back of what appears to be Marion Centre. Note that unlike the St.John liveried Fleet 155 the ambulance service badge had moved from the door to the side of the module (Photo supplied by Steve Schuler).

Fleet 129 in the car park overlooking Mount Gambier in the early 1990s. Note the Emergency Ph. 000 decal at the rear of the compartment. This vehicle has a repaeater lamp on the front wing (guard) above the rear of the front bumper, and a repater indicator in front of the passenger door. This is also an F-100 Ute tray body (Photo Supplied by Glen Sparks).

Fleet 57 in the car park overlooking Mount Gambier in the early late 1980s or early 1990s. This was a vehicle that had previously had St.John Ambulance on the side but then the St.John was cut off and the Ambulance Service logo was fitted on the door where the St.John logo would have been. This vehicle is fitted with a bull-bar and a repeater lamp above the rear of the front bumper. This is also an F-150 Ute tray body (Photo Supplied by Glen Sparks).

A lovely photo taken by Phil Dunkley of Fleet 155 at Blackwood centre May 1991 with the brand-new Blackwood FJ75 Toyota First Aid Unit Fleet 905. Fleet 155 has fog lamps and still has the St.John Ambulance livery to the last.

The new Fleet 155 at Fulham Gardens around 1991. Note that beacons are bigger and the vehicle has the no St.John red writing and the new SA Ambulance Service badge. The presence of the small amber repeater under the F-Series Ambulance badge shows that this is a new cab-chassis to the one 155 had a Blackwood. The fog lamps have been removed on this new cab (Photo supplied by Lyndon Abbott).

The new Fleet 155 at Fulham Gardens around 1991 – another angle. Smooth rear wheel arch and the fixed rear step are evident. The rear doors wrap around above the tail-lamps. Note the tail-lamp units are rounded in each of the inner corners. The front revolving vents were replaced on the Fleet 155 module with ones that had a two-vane design whereas most UES rotary vents had four vanes. The older style rounded beacons have been updated on the module with Hella KL 700 series beacons (Photo supplied by Lyndon Abbott).

The new Fleet 66 on the back of a recovery vehicle after a break-down. Note the rear door on this earlier type module does not wrap around at the back, and the tail lamps are squared in each of the inner corners (Photo supplied by Kevin Marsland).

Another view of Fleet 66 on the back of the recovery vehicle after a break-down. The angled chrome rear bumper was still being used and it was fitted with the centre step that pulled down (Photo supplied by Kevin Marsland).

Rear interior Fleet 155 at Blackwood with Ray Penhall the Divisional Ambulance Officer. The reflective tape around the edges of the rear door provided a higher level of visibility at night and was also added to the bottom edge of the rear door (Photo supplied by Kevin Marlsand).

Fleet 351 at Marion Centre around 2003. In the red writing livery. Note that by this time the beacons are now mixed red and blue same as on the green livery vehicles. The reflective tape used had a much wider red stripe than before (AC).

Fleet 351 at Marion Centre again, rear view. Reversing lamps are in the rear bumper step and note the rear high-mounted stop lamps and turning indicators are rectangular by this time (AC).

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