The following undated clip comes from a local paper in the fall of '63. That was when I substituted three months for Royal Potter as a teacher of biology in Northwood.

"The craze for over-sized Cadillacs might be a case of hero-worship, for Wally Kaufman, who was once popular life guard at the Sea Cliff Bathing Pavilion, grew up, went away to college, and returned as a substitute teacher at North Shore High--driving a green Cadillac ambulance.  Last night Tony Otis bought his hearse and Lester Huffer now follows Tony into the school parking lot, driving a Cadillac flower car, sans blossoms.  This has the makings of a fine funeral cortege."

Having returned from grad school with no money and in need of a cheap ride, I discovered that a vehicle dealer on Northern Blvd sold used ambulances, fire trucks and hearses.  I bought a '55 Cadillac ambulance surplussed by the Lincoln, NY fire department with siren and lights in place, 35,000 miles on the speedometer. Cost $150.