1944 American LaFrance 600-Series Fire Truck

Bid to $30,000 on 10/25/22

This 1944 American LaFrance 600-series fire truck is a two-door open-cab model that was originally stationed at the Mehlville, Missouri, fire department. It was refurbished under prior ownership, reportedly by a former fire department employee, and work involved refinishing the body in white, removing the water tank, and installing rear bench seats. The truck is powered by a 491ci V12 paired with a four-speed manual transmission, and equipment includes a front search light, red signal lights, rear spotlights, water hoses, a deluge gun, a ladder, and a firefighting equipment control panel. This American LaFrance fire truck was acquired by the selling dealer in 2022 and is now offered with manufacturer’s literature, a firefighter coat, refurbishment photos, and a clean Missouri title.

American LaFrance was founded in 1873 and built firefighting apparatus until 2014. This 600-series truck was reportedly finished from the factory in white, and a repaint with gold lettering was performed under prior ownership. Features include a chrome front bumper, a split windshield, dual mirrors, two doors, and diamond-plate step panels. Emergency equipment consists of a front search light, red signal lights, rear spotlights, water hoses, a rear hose reel, a deluge gun, three axes, and a wooden extension ladder.

Body-color 20″ wheels are wrapped in 8.25-20 Vortex Highway Plus tires that show date codes from 2004 and 2005. Stopping power is from four-wheel drum brakes, and the truck rides on a solid front axle, a dually rear axle, and leaf springs.

The open cab features a bench seat upholstered in red vinyl along with body-color sheet metal. A power take-off lever for activating the water pump is located on the diamond-plate floor, and the rear compartment has been outfitted with bench seats that feature integrated storage compartments.

The three-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of a 100-mph speedometer, a tachometer, and gauges for fuel level, oil pressure, amperage, and coolant temperature. The five-digit odometer shows 11k miles, approximately 50 of which were added by the selling dealer. Total mileage is unknown.

The pumper control panel features engine throttle and governor controls, a priming plunger, American Lafrance-branded compound gauges for water pressure and vacuum, and valves for water discharge, inlet, and bleeding. The water tank was removed under prior ownership.

The 491ci V12 is equipped with two Stromberg carburetors as well as twin-spark ignition with two distributors and four coils. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission.

Additional underside photos can be viewed in the gallery.

Photos taken during various stages of refurbishment work are presented in the gallery.

An operator’s manual is included in the sale along with a firefighter coat, a proposal document, and a 700-series operations and maintenance manual.

Photo Gallery

Auction Result

High Bid	USD $30,000 (Reserve Not Met)
Auction Ended	October 25, 2022 at 1:33PM PT
Bids	31

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419 watchers

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