Rebuilt 1970 Pontiac Ambulance Gets Air Suspension
Owners of long-idle classic cars face costly fuel, brake, and drivetrain work before a restoration can hit the road.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Car Maintenance
A car enthusiast has rebuilt a 1970 Pontiac ambulance, rescued from a field in Arkansas, and fitted it with air suspension. The project covers mechanical repairs, a new exhaust, and an airbag suspension system for a 56-year-old wagon.
Why it matters
Restoring an aging vehicle that sat outdoors for decades shows how much mechanical work a long-neglected car can need before it runs properly again. For owners weighing a similar project, the costs and labor of replacing fuel, brake, and drivetrain components can add up quickly on older models.
The 1970 Pontiac ambulance was bought at auction around 1984 and parked in a pasture around 1984 or 1985. The rebuild replaced floor pans, brakes, brake lines, and the fuel system, and added a three-inch exhaust with Flowmaster 40 Series mufflers on 20-inch wheels.
The players
Pontiac
General Motors' former performance and mid-market brand, known for the 455-cubic-inch V8 engines used in its 1970 model-year cars.
Firestone
An American tire and automotive service brand that supplies air springs and airbag suspension components for vehicles.
RideTech
An aftermarket suspension manufacturer that sells adjustable shocks and air-suspension kits for classic and modern vehicles.
Flowmaster
An aftermarket exhaust manufacturer known for its 40 Series mufflers, widely used in performance and restoration builds.
The details
Restoration work began with the foundation: floor pans, brakes, brake lines, and the fuel system were replaced, and the transmission was rebuilt. Carbon-covered spark plugs were cleaned, which improved engine performance somewhat, and new plugs and wires were then installed. Inside a floor compartment, twin compressors, a five-gallon tank, and a VU4 valve manifold were fitted to supply the air suspension, paired with Firestone airbags and adjustable RideTech shocks.
Timeline
Around 1984: the ambulance was purchased at auction.
Around 1984 or 1985: the ambulance was parked in a pasture, where it remained for roughly 26 to 28 years.
The Home Front
Projects like this sit within the broader classic-car restoration market, where owners often install modern aftermarket suspension and exhaust parts on older vehicles. The widespread use of Firestone airbags and RideTech shocks in such builds reflects how aftermarket parts have become a common route for upgrading decades-old cars.
If you own an older vehicle that has sat unused, have a licensed mechanic inspect the fuel system, brakes, and brake lines before driving it. Keep receipts and documentation for any major repairs so the service history is easy to show later.
The takeaway
A long-idle car can need much of its mechanical system replaced, not just cosmetic work, so inspect fuel, brakes, and drivetrain before committing to a rebuild. Budget for professional labor on any repair involving the fuel or brake systems.
Further reading
For more on keeping older vehicles running well, explore our Car Maintenance section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GM Authority.
