Post by gm4ever on Feb 1, 2012 15:27:49 GMT -5
This was posted on one of my car forums. Thought it was worth a re-post, FUNNY!
What is quite possibly the strangest Rescue Car available during the 70s, the Hurst Rescue System 1 Gremlin.
George Hurst had the idea of creating a vehicle that could be used to transport his Hurst Rescue Tool, nicknamed "The Jaws of Life" and other equipment to aid race car drivers in the event of a crash that caused entrapment of the driver.
For this job he chose the AMC Gremlin. Stocked with firefighting, first aid, a 1000 pound winch and even a stretcher the Gremlin was a complete rescue package. There was a feature by Patrick R Foster in the January 2007 issue of Hemmings Classic Car.
This car belongs to Murray County Rescue in Chatsworth Georgia. We are next to the Tennessee line about 40 miles from Chattanooga, Tennessee. When members of the all volunteer squad heard about the Hurst System 1, they contacted the company and a prototype was brought to be checked out. After seeing the "jaws" in action on some junk cars, the decision was made to buy the whole deal. Not being funded by any government, money had to be raised, lots of money, the cost was over $11,000 dollars and we're talking about 1973. That was about a years pay for a squad member at that time. They held bake sales, yard sales, boot drives and took donations to come up with the money.
Today the car carries it's "Jaws" and two cycle motor, it's still in service as a back-up when needed, but mostly used as a parade and public relations event vehicle.
It turns heads everywhere it goes with it's paint job and the fact it is a Gremlin. As far as we know it is the only one left in existence. We heard there were only about 8 ever built and they met their demise while racing to try to save another life.
What is quite possibly the strangest Rescue Car available during the 70s, the Hurst Rescue System 1 Gremlin.
George Hurst had the idea of creating a vehicle that could be used to transport his Hurst Rescue Tool, nicknamed "The Jaws of Life" and other equipment to aid race car drivers in the event of a crash that caused entrapment of the driver.
For this job he chose the AMC Gremlin. Stocked with firefighting, first aid, a 1000 pound winch and even a stretcher the Gremlin was a complete rescue package. There was a feature by Patrick R Foster in the January 2007 issue of Hemmings Classic Car.
This car belongs to Murray County Rescue in Chatsworth Georgia. We are next to the Tennessee line about 40 miles from Chattanooga, Tennessee. When members of the all volunteer squad heard about the Hurst System 1, they contacted the company and a prototype was brought to be checked out. After seeing the "jaws" in action on some junk cars, the decision was made to buy the whole deal. Not being funded by any government, money had to be raised, lots of money, the cost was over $11,000 dollars and we're talking about 1973. That was about a years pay for a squad member at that time. They held bake sales, yard sales, boot drives and took donations to come up with the money.
Today the car carries it's "Jaws" and two cycle motor, it's still in service as a back-up when needed, but mostly used as a parade and public relations event vehicle.
It turns heads everywhere it goes with it's paint job and the fact it is a Gremlin. As far as we know it is the only one left in existence. We heard there were only about 8 ever built and they met their demise while racing to try to save another life.
