If you hear sirens during The Milwaukee Masterpiece Concours d’ Elegance, Aug. 24, 2014, don’t be alarmed. The sound might be coming from a 1947 Cadillac ambulance that will be competing for attention and Concours d’Elegance awards.
This fire-engine-red beauty was manufactured by Hess and Eisenhardt Coachworks, Blue Ash, Ohio, in 1947. The Milwaukee Fire Bell Club purchased and donated the vehicle the same year to the Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD). It remained in service until mid-1979 when the vehicle was sold and subsequently was owned by several collectors.
The only Cadillac ambulance ever to serve with the MFD, the noteworthy vehicle had the distinction of participating in every major alarm fire occurring in the city during its 30 years of service.
Warren Skonieczny, Deputy Chief (Ret), Milwaukee Fire Department, reports that all of the vehicle’s owners, “especially the firemen, treated the ambulance with tender loving care as its appearance and condition bear out.
“The vehicle’s career has come full circle. After many years of being away, it is back home where it belongs, at the Milwaukee Fire Museum,” he said. Skonieczny is the current president of the Milwaukee Fire Historical Society and will be on the show field with the Cadillac ambulance.
The Milwaukee Masterpiece
In its 10th year, The Milwaukee Masterpiece will showcase 125 of the most significant vehicles from years past, as well as 125 new participants to Sunday’s Concours d’Elegance at The Milwaukee Masterpiece. The Milwaukee Masterpiece presents two separate collections of collector vehicles over two days, Aug. 23 – 24, at Veterans Park on Milwaukee’s lakefront.
Club Saturday At The M, Aug. 23, brings out individuals and members of area car clubs and their favorite vehicles. The day begins with a Parade of Club Saturday entries from the Harley Davidson Museum to the show field at Veterans Park. Concours d’Elegance vehicles take over the show field on Sunday, Aug. 24.
Both days, with unique collections, are open to the public.
Charitable partners of the 2014 Milwaukee Masterpiece include the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and Meta House.
Sponsors of the event, announced to date, include Kohler Company, Concours Motors, BMO Private Bank and Badger Bimmers of Wisconsin.