Vehicle Description
This 1948 Ford Firetruck was originally purchased for the Monarch
Volunteer Fire Department in Monarch, MT, an unincorporated area
that sits at the base of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National
Forest. This beautiful firetruck was in service through 1974, when
the original Flathead 6-cylinder engine was replaced with a
bored-out 1955 Ford 292ci Y-block V8 engine. The bed on this
two-ton truck is unidentified, but has a water tank, hoses, reals,
and a modern fire extinguisher mounted for display. The main pump
was capable of draining the tank of water in under one minute at
full spray. The water tank was shortened to accommodate bench
seating for passengers. Hoses are folded under the bed floor, and
the ladder hangs on original brass hardware. The manual
transmission is a 4-speed with a 2-speed rear differential. The
brakes are hydraulic over electric for power brakes. The electrical
system is still operating on the original 6-volt design, and two
6-volt batteries power the vehicle. The red rotating beacon mounted
on the roof and original siren are still operational. The truck has
been sitting under cover for the last 20 years and has 51,287
original miles (the title reads mileage exempt). This piece of
history still runs and drives, but was primarily used as a parade
vehicle. It has also been on display at the Utah Firefighters
Museum and Memorial in Tooele, UT.
