10/03/10 87 W, 1 I - + 5 - 2 Cleveland's Sweet Ride
Beauty queens notwithstanding, this was the prettiest thing that appeared in the Fireman Day's parade today in Garner. The Cleveland Fire Department operated this 1961 Ford F-700/American LaFrance pumper, and which was the first apparatus they purchased. Their firefighter's association recently restored the old engine. It's pictured here on Main Street, several minutes after the big siren blew signaling the start of the parade. Couple detail shots are forthcoming. See the above web site for a "before" picture. Click to enlarge:
I knew they were sort of ‘hanging on to it’ and was wondering if they were going to restore it. Glad to see it returned to glory. Wilson’s Mills recently put their 1947 Mack back into circulation. Seems like Benson still has one of their old rigs, as does Clayton and Smithfield. The only other one I know of that was around for several years, although I think it was in a junk yard of sorts, was Micro’s early 60’s Ford that was equipped with a front mount pump. See, even a commercial chassis fire truck from ‘way back whe’ has a certain amount of elegance to it…
DJ - 10/03/10 - 02:17
Wow, I was just looking at one of these at another department up here in Davie County yesterday. It is still in service. It was yellow though…
Barrett - 10/04/10 - 10:51