1981 American LaFrance Pumper | Classic of the Year 2016

[@ExKUKicker]

What a tremendous story! And I'm sure that your father would have enjoyed, knowing that you had achieved such a childhood dream.
I grew up in a small, Southeastern Kansas town. My family was in the funeral profession as I have been for 36 years. As a small boy...starting at 3, my grandfather would take me to the fire station every other Saturday morning to sit in the trucks. The personnel were always so kind. They had a 1967 American LaFrance (large) extended ladder truck (No Bucket). They would let me turn on the lights and whaler...as I got older, they would pull the truck outside and lift the ladder for us to see and let me climb 4-5 steps with a helmet on (fireman right behind me). Then, my grandfather and I would leave the station and walk a few blocks to the local highrise hotel/diner for a large (homemade) cinnamon roll to top the morning off. This truck gave me a flashback to a great memory, like yourself.
Thank You!
JJ
Wichita, Kansas

[@andrewbrofman8741]

Edward Singer was a true pioneer in fire service communications. Much of what he has done is still in use today by the FDNY. The engine looks great and I hope to see it in person one day.

[@recoveringnewyorker2243]

I built fire trucks for 21 years (1987-- 2009) for emergency one in Ocala Florida. While I was on the assembly line I never forgot that what I was helping to assemble would one day be screaming down the road to save someone's life! I often wonder what happened to some of those fire trucks that I helped to build back in 1987 and 1988. Thanks for preserving a vintage emergency vehicle. Great job!

[@warrenw.1544]

Iam sure that some of them trucks were rebuilt and may still be on the road in a small town vol dept.still today. E 1 are fine trucks

[@janinsweden8559]

Thank you Sir, I can understand that with such profession one feels the responsibility that the equipment must work.

[@patrickmcneilly4293]

Very late comment on my part but, my town's fire department retired their 1988 E-One Hurricane in 2019 when they took delivery of their Typhoon. The Hurricane was one truck that, without the siren on, you could hear that engine growl as it went down the street.

[@thunder_moo]

growing up my grandfather had a 56 American lafrance. brings back a lot of memories. still have a 52 dodge fire truck from the same department. 3000 miles

[@Steve-or9sy]

Beautiful truck!! My dad too was a fire fighter retired in 1984 from West Hartford,CT.

[@crewchief8013]

Awesome story and ALF engine, Gary! Many thanks to you and Hegarty for treating the rest of us to a wonderful video!!!

[@gtoger]

What a cool vehicle! And a great story to go along with it.

[@mitchf1508]

Awesome story, awesome fire truck, awesome garage setup! Would love a tour of the garage!

[@songroller5168]

What a beautiful truck you have! 🚒 I know your dad would be proud of you having it and your plan of putting the names on it. Good job ! 😎

[@soundknight]

What a beautiful story, more of these please!

[@terrylatham382]

Awesome, sweet, great tribute to your dad and the men and women who died on 9/11

[@mattjohnston7686]

This is the epitome of American Fire Apparatus, Thanks to Elmira New York for creating this beautiful American Lafrance Icon.

[@chriswilson9230]

She is beautiful! I’m impressed how well she looks. I love the story about your dad and thank for the memorial to the 343. Your engine and garage are what I want one day.

[@Jamcam99]

Great machine and tribute to the fire fighters. My Grand Father was a fire fighter here in the UK.

[@braddavenport2009]

Outstanding, Great looking Engine, I came in on a 1969 Ward Lafrance in 1990, what a great story to be Proud of, I’m glad I had the privilege to view it…thank you Sir..

[@araynortassadore3056]

This is an astonishing vehicle, it's a very passionate video and this truck is an excellent memorial to melinial childhoods and firefighters in America.

[@anthonyvee]

Beautiful truck!!!

[@ozzstars_cars]

Almost every young boy likes firetrucks and had a toy of one. This guy owns the real deal. That's cool

[@Beastiedoggie]

I just got off the phone with my brother who told me that he had passed on the road an American La France pumper that he saw auctioned off on Mecum. He had alot of questions because both my Dad and I were Firefighters in Gary Indiana. My favorite of all time rig is the 70 thru 78 Pumpers. who would have known that I would become a firefighter although my Dad was one and our neighborhood station was a half block from my home. Sorry but there aint no sound like hearing a LaFrance in that year range go through the gears. I graduated in 1974 and began on GFD in 1977. Yup I surely did become an Engineer tearing the gears out of our LaFrance aerial and Pumper. Man and now the new firefighters don't get to enjoy flying down 5th avenue hanging off the back doing 70 mph. There was nothing like it. I rarely ride the pocket unless the weather was just too nasty to hang off the back. To this very second I can be blind folded, get into your rig reach under the seat hear those clicks and go to battery. Push down on the air brakes and start snatching gears. I loved shifting and pulling my own air horn cord...my Capt. was timid and I wanted all the noise possible. One day...I mean one day I will own one like yours. I wish you were near, because I'd beg you to take it out. You need to let me come and make a skid for you...I still can do it. then your Engine would be complete. Look for your draft hoses too...I'm sure they are around somewhere!

[@b376010]

The '69 ALF from Mecum you speak about brought good money around $26k especially considering many non-original modifications! Prices are on the rise for these old ALF's! Check out my '73 ALF videos. If you are ever in the Orlando FL area give me a call!

[@RickRufus1]

Thank you for the story and a good look at your truck

[@louismarshall2324]

great story and good looking truck. I had 50+ years as a volunteer fire fighter with the Hammonton NJ Fire Dept and we had one just like that one that I drove often. 😂

[@mikelyon5595]

Too cool!

[@kenclark6180]

This is a great story!

[@warrenw.1544]

The 343 and your Dad R.I.P. and God Bless them.

[@jimheckert5383]

Wonderful story. 🇺🇸☘️🇺🇸 Thanks

[@tylernelson7995]

Great story, and it looks like it went to a great home. 🙏

[@charlesdyer2376]

Good show reminds me of the mack we had in our vol. fire co. back in the 60's, No. Brunswick, NJ engine Co # 2.

[@ronaldkruk7295]

That is a awesome looking fire truck ,she is a real buety now that's what I call a fire engine. To bad they don't make them like that anymore.

[@nancyflowers905]

Awesome!

[@rickvaiBBB]

It would have been amazing to see how it got to where it is in the video.

[@b376010]

Beautiful engine! You put a smile on my face as you explained how you came to purchase such an uncommon vehicle. I also purchased mine from an online auction!
Check out my 1973 American LaFrance: ruclips.net/video/VtrUzUrN6ZM/видео.html
I watched your truck on Ebay shortly after purchasing mine. Glad to see it again! I too, own my own fire engine. It's much like yours but just a few years older, a "1000" series. Yours is a "Century" series with a wider cab and jumpseat area. Let me know if you have any questions about it...I noticed some heavy smoke from your exhaust climbing the hill. You are likely lugging the engine and Detroit's don't like that very much. Keep the RPM's up!! These 2-stroke diesels like to rev. Shift after the engine hits the governor. Don't climb any grade much under 1800 rpm. 2000+ is even better. Make sure to use the correct oil in the engine as well. Straight 40w - Delo 400************

[@caitlinmaxwell6918]

That girl who you showed the fire truck to is one of the luckiest girls I have seen. I am not even lucky at all. I am not even had much of many miracles about firefighting. I have a fear that I'm not going to find one of these fire trucks to ride in when I grow up. By then, they'll be high dollar. Only 15 years old, still I fear I ain't going to find one.😫😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@notthatdonald1385]

I drove a '78, color white. Automatic tranny. Very similar to this rig. It was never "fondeled" though LOL. We fought many fires together.

[@caitlinmaxwell6918]

Nobody usually wants fire trucks. I am never happy with what I have to hear about fire trucks. Most comments ain't good. I am that passionate about fire trucks.

[@judithwrobel5079]

Way to go Gary!!! There is dew on my cheeks.

[@beetragg]

nice story!

[@PaulieMac77]

Can you do a follow up on this please

[@TimSmith-uc4pk]

It is a Fire Engine. Fire Trucks do not carry water and hose.

[@not_hacking_exotic7458]

Ask the guys down at counts customs to put the names on the side I think the would be more then happy to love the show btw

[@nancyherrmann2374]

American LaFrance is without a doubt Americans fire truck

[@BlackieFoxxless]

The name itself, "American Lafrance"
Did it originalet from USA or France?

[@foxw6802]

Ils avaient de la gueule ces camion

[@caitlinmaxwell6918]

I never made sense with my writing whenever I try to make sense.

[@GK-rw2op]

So he won't say how much he payed for it ! never showed the engine !!! Lame video !!