Wartime ambulance on the road again – and back on telly again!

The only wartime ambulance known to have survived the Blitz is back on the road again.

The glorious Talbot ambulance is part of the London Ambulance Service Historic Collection and has not been in service since around 1950.

But viewers may have spotted the WW2 ambulance on Channel 5 recently on The Blitz with Rob Rinder and Ruth Goodman.

The presenters climbed on board the vehicle to better understand conditions for ambulance volunteers during the war.

When the filming took place, the Talbot ambulance could not be driven.

But thanks to the dedication of the Talbot Owners Club and the generosity of the public who donated to an appeal to pay for new parts, the 90-year-old vehicle is now running again.

Craig Henty, Head of the London Ambulance Service Historic Collection, said: “I can’t convey just how excited I am that it’s running and I’ve actually driven it. People need to see this!

“Now it’s moving again, I can take it to exhibitions and events for more people to see it up close. It brings history alive. For now though, people will have to watch The Blitz documentary on Channel 5!”

The Talbot first came into service in 1935 and documents from that date – held by the Talbot Owners Club – show it would have cost £795. It was an expensive vehicle at the time – Talbot was also manufacturing luxury and racing cars.

Neil Lucas, of the Talbot Owners Club, volunteered his time and expertise to do most of the work to restore the ambulance’s engine.

He said: “Fortunately there wasn’t anything major wrong and I was able to fix or replace what wasn’t working.

“I like a project and this one was very worthwhile indeed.”

Neil checked all the parts of the ambulance, replacing or repairing what was broken and fitting new batteries and fuses. He drained all the fuel and oil, cleaning tanks and pipes, and then replaced the fluid.

The tyres were set to the correct pressure and he added new wiring.

The ambulance was originally built at a factory in Kensington. During the war years it was fitted with extra brackets so two more stretchers could be added above the two beds already in the back of the ambulance.

The Talbot is made of steel and wood and was famous for making frequent rescue missions through the streets of London as incendiary bombs were falling.

Read more about the history of ambulances in WW2 and the work of the women volunteers.

The ambulance has previously appeared in films including The Battle of Britain and the TV series Poirot.

The Historic Collection team is planning to display the Talbot ambulance at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford at the end of August.

Meanwhile the Talbot Owners Club has given London Ambulance Service honorary membership, meaning more opportunities to exhibit the WW2 ambulance.

You can find out more about the London Ambulance Service Historic Collection here.