1974 FIAT 238 Ambulance/Camper

This Fiat 238 ambulance was purchased new by the Italian ambulance service in 1974. Based in Macerata, a very quiet Italian village, it saw very little use over the years. Gradually superseded by newer models, it must have wormed its way into their affections as it remained tucked away in a quiet corner of the station for years. By the time it emerged from hibernation in 2015, less than 7,000kms had passed beneath its wheels during its four-decade life.

The current owner found it for sale on the Internet and immediately fell in love. He bought the van and imported it into the UK before embarking on a thorough recommissioning; while the gentle Italian climate had preserved the bodywork in remarkably good condition – the paintwork is largely original and there is absolutely no rust whatsoever - the mechanical components needed bringing back to life. Sussex Sports Cars, the renowned car restoration company, went about the works refurbishing and replacing parts as necessary. As a result, the ambulance is exceedingly well-presented to us now, externally, internally and underneath, and genuinely runs like a dream.

The paintwork is largely original apart from a few minor localised repairs where the paint had cracked or faded. For those of us who grew up with seventies’ Lancias and Alfa Romeos, the condition of the bodywork will come as a shock; not only is the van completely free of rust, rot and other age-related deterioration, it actually has very impressive panel accuracy and a level of fit-and-finish that will surprise many.

The ambulance livery provides both a talking point and an invaluable reference point as to the van’s original purpose and have been wisely retained – we believe the livery is original.

Speaking of which, the flashing lights still work (blue lenses are supplied for ‘show work’!) but sadly, the siren doesn’t. For those buying with a view to displaying it as a period ambulance, we can’t imagine that recommissioning it would be either difficult or expensive.

The underside is clean and painted rather than undersealed, allowing its condition to be easily inspected. Our Gallery photos confirm it is free of rust and has never been welded.

As examples of the thoroughness of the recommissioning, new windows seals have been fitted, so the van is completely watertight and the wheels were stripped and powdercoated before being fitted with new tyres.

The original fixtures and fittings are in wonderful condition; while we normally rave about the panel gaps and shut lines on the bodywork of restored cars, this time we’re going to do so when talking about the original ambulance cabinetry. The quality is astounding and its longevity – helped, of course, by the fact that the ambulance was rarely used in anger – means that the existing cabinets are in virtually perfect condition and could easily be repurposed into useful storage areas and a small kitchenette.

It’s the same with the chrome rails, which are still lustrous and free of rust and pitting and are aching to be repurposed; perhaps to hold a shower curtain or privacy curtain for a portable loo? There’s even an old oxygen tank still installed in its purpose-designed cubby – internal status not guaranteed!

A new floor covering has been made and installed, along with a specially commissioned leather-trimmed ‘Rock’n’Roll’ bed; the latter is so skilfully designed and executed that it looks as if it has been there from day one. Again, originality buffs will be pleased to hear that while the stretcher and the two rear seats that were in the back have been removed, they are available with the vehicle if the new owner would like them.

The dashboard is original and in fabulous condition; preserved from the damaging effects of the sun’s rays and ham-fisted Italian ambulance drivers alike, the Bakelite glistens and gleams in a way that would be almost impossible to achieve in a restored vehicle. (The switches have been relabelled with Dynatape, which was a wise precaution on the off-chance that the new owner doesn’t speak Italian.)

The front seats and have been re-upholstered in soft Italian leather and look wonderful. In total, the bed and seats, along with the new harder-wearing rubber floor covering, retrimmed door cards, sun visors, and various other bits of interior trim set the owner back almost £4,000 on their own.

The cupboards have been fitted with battery powered interior lights and there are now a couple of cigar lighter sockets and a USB port too, so you can charge your phone and computer. It’s even got a separate leisure battery and a newly-installed 240v inverter so you can make coffee and toast in the morning!

Additional oil pressure and voltage gauges have been fitted, along with a new radio and speakers. New flashing lights were installed along with new head and tail lights.

We think the owner has done a great job of installing the basics in the van to make it as self-sufficient as possible while not obliterating its history and origins. One incredibly comprehensive recommission in anyone’s book. Please do make the time to come and see it here at The Market HQ; it’s a lovely old thing and worth seeing if you’ve ever had even the vaguest interest in owning a classic campervan.

The mechanical work was as exhaustive as it was expensive. It comprised, in brief, rebuilt brakes, suspension, cooling system and an overhauled engine. The clutch was replaced, as was the exhaust, ignition system, fuel pump, battery, alternator and wiring loom. The engine has also been converted to run on lead-free petrol and is now cooled by an electric fan.

And this little lot is only the tip of the iceberg: we’re wary of boring the reader with too much detail in our listings but interested parties should make themselves a cup of tea and set aside half-an-hour or so to go through the summary of work done and the bills from Sussex Sports Cars and marvel for themselves at the love (some might say obsession) that was lavished on the van to bring it back to its former glory. The time taken to source parts from across the Continent is extraordinary.

The total cost of the mechanical refurbishment alone probably totalled almost £20,000, but was worth every penny. It now starts promptly and ticks over beautifully. The owner tells us that “it drives very well, and is very smooth in the gear change - and even in the recent hot weather, the engine stayed cool and didn’t overheat.”

More importantly, we’ve driven it and found that it drives better than any classic VW campervan, making it a genuinely viable proposition as a touring campervan rather than a day van that’s only wheeled out on local journeys…

In the care of its current owner for the past three years, it is fully registered in the UK with the age-appropriate number CDM 669M. It comes with a thick sheaf of paperwork documenting its restoration, as well as the original owner’s handbook and some bits of paperwork from its time in Italy.

There is also a box full of random parts, plus a full made-to-measure cover for the van included.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this vehicle is now presented to a very high standard.

Where do we start with a van like this? It’s extraordinarily rare, beautifully original, subtly fitted out as a campervan, and drives better than any of its contemporaries. It is utterly charming and one of the most exciting and interesting projects we’ve seen in a long time.

And yet, the sale is going to break the owner’s heart – and bank balance; while we don’t imagine that he ever set out to make a profit from the project, the sad reality is that he is only going to get back a fraction of what it has cost him, which is bad news for him but very good news for potential bidders.

Because while we, like the owner, have fallen hard for this lovely little van, the sad reality is that it is likely to sell for anywhere between £10,000 and £20,000, which means that one of you could drive away in the biggest bargain of 2018.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car can be seen here at The Market HQ in Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.