SLAMBULANCE

Seriously, don’t make that 911 call unless you have a real emergency. But wouldn’t it be kind of cool to see this slammed 1969 Chevy Suburban ambulance back in active service? It might even be worth dislocating your shoulder just to hitch a ride in something this cool. That’s another joke, and not a great one, but there’s something about this Suburban that brings together fun and nostalgia in a way most emergency vehicles simply don’t. This thing has a lot going for it, from its air ride suspension to the many original ambulance features still intact. Never mind the boney patient on the gurney. It’s just a prop. Probably.

The man behind this fine piece of machinery is Chevy Slusher. Yes, that’s actually his name. A buddy of his had bought the ambulance along with a few other vehicles out in Oregon and had them shipped to Michigan. That’s where Chevy first laid eyes on it. As a longtime fan of 1967–72 GM trucks, especially the rare stuff, he was instantly hooked. He later learned that Miller-Meteor converted this Suburban into an ambulance in 1969 in Piqua, Ohio. It served out its working years in Hugo, Colorado.

When Chevy first saw it back in 2012, he was floored. With just 25,000 original miles, it was one of the cleanest C/K trucks he had ever seen. Even after years of sitting still, rust had barely taken hold. But as fate would have it, Chevy didn’t have the funds at the time and had to walk away. Four years later, the ambulance was still sitting in the same spot, untouched. This time, he didn’t hesitate.

Once it was parked in his own garage, Chevy started turning all those long-dormant ideas into reality. The original motor may have been low-mileage, but he swapped it out for a 6.0L L76 from a 2009 Pontiac G8 GT, along with the matching 6L80E six-speed automatic. That gave it plenty of power and highway reliability. A Dakota Digital cruise control system sealed the deal for smooth 80 mph cruising.

Next up was the ride height. The stock stance was far too tall for Chevy’s taste. He wanted adjustability, and he wanted low. Bags at all four corners, Ridetech shocks, and McGaughys suspension parts helped bring it all together. A set of Billet Specialties smoothie wheels with chrome Bow Tie hubcaps sealed the look. At this point, the Suburban had earned a proper name: “The Slambulance.”

With the hard stuff nearly done, Chevy moved on to paint. The original white was clean, but a little too clinical. After some light bodywork, it got a fresh two-tone job to better match its new attitude. New upholstery added some warmth inside. He kept the original auxiliary lights, switches, cabinets, bench, and vinyl cargo flooring. Chevy was careful to preserve the elements that gave the Suburban its original charm while updating it in ways that stayed true to his style.

Some family members questioned his sanity for wanting to build an ambulance, but time (and a great paint job) proved him right. Tearing the Suburban down and building it back up gave him a chance to spend quality time with the close-knit group of friends he’s made through years of car shows and events. Even his skeptical relatives enjoy tagging along to shows now.

And the crowds? They love it. You won’t find many frowns near this rig at an event. That was Chevy’s goal from the start. He wanted to build something that got smiles-per-gallon, and judging by the reaction he gets, he won’t be running low on that anytime soon.