Vintage Fire Trucks

1911-FDNY. Engine 39 retiring horses.


Pumper and ladder circa 1906. Unknown department.

 

The city of Everett, WA's first IC-powered rig was a hook and ladder that suffered the ignominous breakdown of an exploding crankcase (fairly common thing to happen back then). But instead of using some of the horse teams the city was trying to retire, they hitched it to their first IC-powered pumper and towed the hook and ladder to all fires until its retirement.

 

My neighbor just bought a 1985 Ford fire truck at a government auction for $1200. It was surplus to the Bartlett, TN fire dept and had just had an engine and trans overhaul 500 hours ago. It's complete and running but they stripped all the brass goodies off it. He's looking for nozzles and hose connectors, but they are pricy. He got a length of old fire house given to him from his department. He's got it rented out for a July 4th parade already.