1926 American LaFrance, Type 75 Pumper

History

American LaFrance built this Type 75 pumper for the Hartsdale, NY where it served until the mid 1950's. Purchased by a scrap dealer the truck was later sold to a private collector in Rocky Hill, CT.

The truck remained in private hands until sold to the same scrap dealer again in 1965. While driving the LaFrance to a junkyard in Willimantic, CT for scrapping the driver stopped for ice cream in Manchester, CT. While sitting at the counter the owner inquired as to what the man was doing with the fire engine. Upon learning the truck would be scrapped, he offered to buy the truck. The junk dealer got his ice cream and the shop owner a fire truck. The truck sat in a shed next to the ice cream parlor until it was sold to the museum in June of 1968.

Since then, the truck has attended numerous parades in the Central Connecticut area. In 1985 it received a new coat of paint and had a new flywheel installed. At present time the truck in in semi retirement being in need of new set of tires. The truck has the original set of Cooper Tires put on by American LaFrance at the factory in 1926.

Technical