In the late seventies, a need was identified for a large capacity custom-designed ambulance that had a greater payload than the existing Holden panel-van type ambulances.  As patient care became more critical and resuscitation techniques evolved St. John and Moeller Industries, then located at Port Road, Cheltenham developed the Em-Care (Emergency Care) ambulance based on a specially modified six-wheeled Holden cab-chassis unit, fitted with a 308 cu in (5.0L) V8 engine and having a two-tonne GVM (gross vehicle mass).  At the rear of the standard drive axles, an additional set of rear axles were fitted to allow for the extra vehicle length of the car and better stability. The Em-Care allowed the attendant to sit (or stand) next to the patient who was lying on a stretcher that, unlike most ambulances before or since, wasn’t folded flat near the floor.

The Em-Care Ambulance’s specifications as noted in the St.John Emergency Care and Transport Manual of 1982 were;

1. At the rear of the standard drive axles, an additional set of independent rear axles is fitted which allows for extra vehicle length and stability.

2. The total length of the Em-Care is 5.87 meters, of which the patient compartment occupies 2.97 meters.

3. Access to the patient compartment is via the rear door, the bottom portion of which drops down to provide a ramp.

4. A patient is loaded feet first so that the ambulance officers have the maximum possible room to administer treatment.

5. Headroom in the work area is 1.78 meters and permits ambulance officers to stand on either side or at the head end of the patient

Em-Cares were notable for their twin rear axles.  Unfortunately only the front pair had any drive through a conventional differential which meant that if a crew were unfortunate enough to back across a ditch, or gutter, they might find their two-tonne plus ambulance was suddenly stranded – a potentially quite embarrassing scenario.