1956 Pontiac Star Chief Ambulance
Superior Coach Company transformed select Pontiac Star Chief commercial chassis into dual-purpose professional vehicles during the mid-1950s, producing combination ambulances and hearses at their Kosciusko, Mississippi facility.
These conversions represented some of the rarest commercial applications of Pontiac’s flagship model, with production numbers remaining extremely limited and few examples surviving today.
The conversions maintained Star Chief styling cues while extending the roofline to meet professional car requirements. Superior’s coachwork typically featured extended rear quarters with additional windows, rear access doors, and specialized interior layouts that included attendant seating and medical equipment storage.
These vehicles retained Pontiac’s distinctive diagonal slash accent moldings along with upscale trim consistent with the Star Chief line.
Power came from Pontiac’s Strato-Streak V8 displacing 316.6 cubic inches (commonly referred to as 317 cubic inches) using overhead valve architecture. Two-barrel carbureted versions produced 192 horsepower, while four-barrel-equipped examples were rated at 227 horsepower.
A four-speed Hydra-Matic transmission handled shifting duties, with the professional chassis fitted with heavy-duty suspension components, larger wheels, and reinforced systems to manage the added weight and service demands.
This particular example was restored to depict a period ambulance from the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina, the setting of the iconic “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Mayberry, R.F.D.” television series.
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