Vehicle Description
As one of America's most enduring heavy-duty truck manufacturers,
Mack's pioneering origins date to 1890 when John M. "Jack" Mack
joined the Fallesen & Berry carriage and wagon works in Brooklyn,
New York. By 1893, Jack and brother Augustus purchased the company
and William, another brother, joined them the next year. Carriages
soon gave way to wagons and experiments with steam and electric
power, with the internal-combustion engine ultimately favored. "Old
No. 1," the first Mack sold, was initially configured as a
passenger bus for Brooklyn's Prospect Park that was built in 1900
and later converted into a truck. Soon, Mack firmly established
itself as America's premier manufacturer of powerful heavy-duty
trucks using traditional, yet well-proven engineering principles
and tough mechanical components. A series of shrewd mergers and
acquisitions through Mack's earlier years gave the company the
ability to produce engines, transmissions and other necessary
mechanical components in Allentown, Pennsylvania and at its New
Brunswick and Plainfield plants located in New Jersey. One of
Mack's most successful business lines was the company's Fire
Apparatus Division, active from 1911 to 1984 and headquartered in
Allentown, Pennsylvania for much of its existence, punctuated by a
decade from 1941 to 1951 in Long Island City, New York. Beginning
with firefighting tools and equipment, Mack's Fire Apparatus
Division progressed to production of complete fire trucks beginning
with the Mack AB in 1914, progressing to the AP and B-Series
chassis, both very long-running and versatile designs. Development
was methodical and progressed through a veritable myriad of models,
sub-models, and improved specifications throughout the long history
of Mack's Fire Apparatus Division, assuring buyers a Mack-built
fire truck virtually tailor-made to meet their individual
requirements. The highly engaging 1931 Mack fire engine offered
here is based on Mack's BG-Series chassis, introduced in 1929 and
built through 1937, with 2,904 total examples of such chassis
produced. Combining the prior BB-Series chassis specification of
1928-1932, which answered the call for higher load capacity and
higher-speed performance, Mack's long-running BG was primarily
distinguished by its more-powerful engine. Accompanied by
production records supplied by the Mack Trucks Historical Museum in
Allentown Pennsylvania, this fascinating and attractive 1931 Mack
Type 50 BG fire engine was dispatched from the Allentown,
Pennsylvania factory on January 2, 1931, and delivered via Mack's
Long Island City Branch to the Floral Park, Long Island Village
Fire Department on February 12, 1931. A period photograph depicts
this specific fire engine as delivered, with Floral Park F.D.
livery and Engine No. 3 designation. Based on the 156-inch type BG
chassis, this Mack Type 50 fire engine is an original and highly
versatile "Triple Combination" unit, comprising a water tank, pump,
and hoses. Copies of detailed build records accompanying the Mack
list all original equipment, parts numbers, and mechanical
specifications. Subsequently, the highly equipped Mack was operated
by the Salida, Colorado Volunteer Fire Department and it retains
this eye-catching red-and gold leaf livery today. This wonderful
piece of industrial and fire-service history features a light and
pleasing patina overall. The red paint finish and gold-leaf accents
remain very attractive, as does the exterior brightwork, while the
instrument panel should certainly benefit from detailing and
polishing. Some minor flaws and areas of cracking are noted in the
paintwork, however, these imperfections do not detract from this
truck's wonderful presence. The sophisticated BG-specification
inline 6-cylinder engine retains correct, original-appearing
finishes that are mostly intact, featuring magneto-type ignition
with twin spark plugs per cylinder. Power delivery is via a 4-speed
transmission and spiral bevel-type rear differential. The Mack
features a wide array of vintage fire apparatus including
Mack-scripted portable fire extinguishers, a huge Appleton
spotlight, Brass locomotive bell, hooked ladders, solid and
flexible fire hoses, hose nozzles, and so much more. Period style
Goodyear tires on hub-pilot wheels provide road contact. Added
turn-signal indicators enhance safety on parades or occasional
drives. Documented by copies of original Mack chassis records,
highly equipped, and looking virtually ready for action, this 1931
Mack Type 50 Triple Combination fire engine is a rarely seen early
Mack fire engine, ideal for marque collectors and fire apparatus
enthusiasts alike and more than worthy of its iconic "Bulldog"
radiator mascot. *Please note, this Mack is titled as a 1933 Offers
welcome and trades considered For additional details please view
this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6956-1931-mack-fire-truck/
