9 Rarely Seen Vintage Fire Trucks from Across the Decades
By: Fred Miller (Rarest. org)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
9 Rarely Seen Vintage Fire Trucks from Across the Decades
Vintage fire trucks are a fascinating glimpse into the history of firefighting. From their bold designs to their innovative features, these rare machines showcase the evolution of fire safety technology. Today, these vintage fire trucks are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.
1923 Ahrens-Fox Model N-S-4
Flickr
The 1923 Ahrens-Fox Model N-S-4 is known for its powerful front-mounted piston pump. This truck was an engineering marvel of its time, with its chrome ball on the pump setting it apart visually. Built for durability, it could handle extreme firefighting demands. Collectors prize it for its historical significance and design. Its current value is around $150,000 to $200,000 depending on condition.
1942 Mack Model EH Type 75 Fire Truck
Flickr
The 1942 Mack Model EH Type 75 is a rare sight in the vintage fire truck community. Known for its robust build, this truck was equipped with a powerful inline 6-cylinder engine. Its distinctive design features a long hood and large front grill, giving it a commanding presence. Valued at around $70,000 to $100,000 today, this truck is a prized collectible. Many were used in World War II, adding to their historical significance.
1950 Pirsch Ladder Truck
Flickr
The 1950 Pirsch Ladder Truck was a revolutionary model with its long ladder and compact design. Built with an all-steel body, it was known for its strength and agility in urban settings. This model could reach towering heights and was a favorite among fire departments for decades. Its value now hovers between $80,000 and $150,000 depending on its operational state.
1924 Stutz Fire Truck
Wikimedia Commons
The 1924 Stutz Fire Truck was a robust and reliable firefighting machine known for its solid construction. It featured an early internal combustion engine, which gave it the power needed to respond quickly to emergencies. The truck's open-cab design provided visibility, while its brass details added to its vintage charm. This model has become a rare collector's item due to its age and craftsmanship. In today's market, a fully restored 1924 Stutz Fire Truck can be valued between $80,000 and $120,000, depending on its condition.
1954 American LaFrance Type 700 Fire Truck
Wikimedia Commons
The 1954 American LaFrance Type 700 Fire Truck is an iconic model recognized for its sleek, rounded design and advanced engineering. Equipped with a powerful V12 engine, it provided impressive water-pumping capacity and reliable performance during emergencies. Its spacious cab and distinctive chrome detailing made it stand out from other fire trucks of its time. Today, this model is highly sought after by collectors for its unique design and historical significance. A well-restored 1954 American LaFrance Type 700 can fetch between $70,000 and $130,000, depending on its condition.
1965 Crown Firecoach
Wikimedia Commons
The 1965 Crown Firecoach was a popular model known for its versatility and strength. It had a robust body designed for long-term use in both urban and rural firefighting situations. The truck's signature feature was its well-balanced frame and powerful engine. In today's market, a fully restored model can be valued at around $70,000 to $130,000.
1928 Reo Speedwagon Fire Truck
Wikimedia Commons
The 1928 Reo Speedwagon Fire Truck is a rare gem from an iconic American automaker. This model was known for its durability and quick response time, thanks to its lightweight build and strong four-cylinder engine. Its open-cab design and wooden-spoked wheels give it a distinct, vintage appeal. Today, its value ranges between $50,000 to $80,000, depending on the condition. Often used in smaller towns, this truck served faithfully for decades. Restoring one to its former glory requires attention to detail, but its unique character makes it a sought-after piece in vintage fire truck collections.
1929 Ahrens-Fox Model PS2 Fire Truck
Wikimedia Commons
The 1929 Ahrens-Fox Model PS2 is renowned for its large front-mounted piston pump and powerful six-cylinder engine. Its sleek chrome details and impressive water output made it a standout in firefighting. Valued at $100,000 to $150,000, it's a prized collector's item. Fully restored versions are rare, adding to its appeal among vintage fire truck enthusiasts.
1958 FWD Fire Truck
Wikimedia Commons
The 1958 FWD Fire Truck is known for its rugged build and four-wheel-drive capability, making it perfect for tough terrains. Powered by a strong V8 engine, it offered exceptional performance for its time. Its utilitarian design and heavy-duty features ensured reliability during emergency responses. Today, this model is valued at around $40,000 to $60,000, depending on its condition. It remains a favorite among collectors for its durability and distinctive vintage look.
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Fire is on everyone's mind these days, and so a timely article about vintage firetrucks is quite relevant. The vintage trucks are maintained by many communities to be featured in parades.
I love the REO Speedwagon, the fire truck and the band.
What band?
REO SPEEDWAGON, you can’t get you tube but use whatever site your do for music and type in REO Speedwagon then had a lot of good music,
Got it. I've got hours of their great music on bilibili.
Antique firetruck restored by our local Fire Dept
It's unusual to see a white fire truck.
Our town's fire trucks have always been white. Other fire companies used to call them milk trucks at fireman's parades. The fire chief a long time ago was a milkman with a white milk truck. All most all fire trucks around here are red. There are a few lime green ones, supposed to be a high visibility color, and some yellow ones. ,
Yeah, I figured there would be yellow and neon lime green makes sense too. Really noticeable visibility of other drivers on the road is the reason for the bright colous, which is why I was surprised to see white.
Ah, but the memories. When I was editor of my university's weekly student newspaper there was a week when there was no important news, so we as a small group decided to do something to create the needed headline. We snuck onto the campus of Ontario Agricultural College (now known as University of Guelph) that was about 30 miles away and started up and stole their prize campus mascot, a vintage fire truck, that they used to be paraded at football games and such. We drove it back to our campus and put it on the turf in front of our main university hall, and removed two of the wheels and hid them so it couldn't be driven. We had our sensational headline. None of us considered that we could have been charged with theft, but it didn't happen - it was considered just a competing university prank. We returned the truck after our newspaper was circulated.
It seems like Red has been the color for fire engines for decades.
IIRC a while back there were people wanted them to be Yellow-Green, but it seems it never caught on.
Yes, that neon yellow-green is used in some places. See my comment 3.1.2 above.
Long ago I had read somewhere that the human eye is most sensitive to Yellowish (or Yellow slightly Green) light. So apparently that was the reason that color was adapted by some.