What is "combination car"

Combination \Com`bi*na"tion\, n. [LL. combinatio. See Combine.]

1. The act or process of combining or uniting persons and things.

   Making new compounds by new combinations.
   --Boyle.

   A solemn combination shall be made Of our dear souls.
   --Shak.

2. The result of combining or uniting; union of persons or things; esp. a union or alliance of persons or states to effect some purpose; -- usually in a bad sense.

   A combination of the most powerful men in Rome who had conspired my ruin.
   --Melmoth.

3. (Chem.) The act or process of uniting by chemical affinity, by which substances unite with each other in definite proportions by weight to form distinct compounds.

4. pl. (Math.) The different arrangements of a number of objects, as letters, into groups.

   Note: In combinations no regard is paid to the order in which the objects are arranged in each group, while in variations and permutations this order is respected.
   --Brande & C.

   Combination car, a railroad car containing two or more compartments used for different purposes. [U. S.]

   Combination lock, a lock in which the mechanism is controlled by means of a movable dial (sometimes by several dials or rings) inscribed with letters or other characters. The bolt of the lock can not be operated until after the dial has been so turned as to combine the characters in a certain order or succession.

   Combination room, in the University of Cambridge, Eng., a room into which the fellows withdraw after dinner, for wine, dessert, and conversation.

   Combination by volume (Chem.), the act, process, or ratio by which gaseous elements and compounds unite in definite proportions by volume to form distinct compounds.

   Combination by weight (Chem.), the act, process, or ratio, in which substances unite in proportions by weight, relatively fixed and exact, to form distinct compounds. See Law of definite proportions, under Definite.

   Syn: Cabal; alliance; association; league; union; confederacy; coalition; conspiracy. See Cabal.

n. (context US English) A railroad car containing two or more compartments used for different purposes.

For the railroad vehicle, see Combine car and for the passenger/cargo vehicle, see Combination bus.

A combination car was a vehicle built upon a (usually Cadillac) " professional car" chassis which could be employed either as a hearse or as an ambulance, and had the capability of being swapped between those roles without much difficulty. These vehicles were upgraded by coachbuilders such as Superior, Miller-Meteor, Hess & Eisenhardt and Cotner-Bevington were typical of the era when funeral homes offered emergency ambulance service in addition to their primary trade.

Even if a "combo" has no flashing lights (mounted or concealed), siren, or two-way radio installed, an experienced vehicle collector can recognize it as such by it having systems to carry either a gurney or a casket, one or more foldable seats on one side in the rear compartment where a first-aid person can sit while looking after a patient on their way to the hospital, and a cabinet where first-aid supplies can be stored.

Also, the presence of ambulance technology made combos useful in the first call role, as a gurney is also used in that function.

Some combos were equipped with rotating roof beacons that could flash either yellow lights in processional mode, or both red and yellow lights in emergency response mode. Alternatively, a hole on the roof was often supplied where a beacon could be bolted on an intermittent basis, a wire passing through to the driver's compartment where it could be plugged in when needed.

Combos employed more often or exclusively as ambulances were often fitted with ambulance markings and additional lighting. However, usage of passenger car or station wagon derived vehicles as ambulances became impractical in the US after c. 1979 due to upgraded equipment and interior measurement requirements imposed by US government regulators as well as a general downsizing of the automobile chassis used for ambulances and funeral cars. Many such vehicles were donated or otherwise found their way to developing nations.

The Cadillac combination unit was made famous in Ghostbusters as the Ecto-1, a modified 1959 Miller-Meteor coach.