Vehicle Description
Founded in 1873 by a group of investors led by Truckson LaFrance
and established in Elmira, New York, American LaFrance remains one
of the oldest and most respected names in American fire apparatus
manufacturing. Company origins are rooted in the manufacture of
hand-powered firefighting equipment during the horse-drawn era,
progressing to the merger of LaFrance Manufacturing with the
American Fire Engine Company to become American LaFrance in 1903.
Notably, American LaFrance was among the first fire-apparatus
companies to embrace horseless propulsion using steam engines,
which proved overly cumbersome and were replaced by
internal-combustion power by 1907. Throughout its history, American
La France (alternatively refereed to as "ALF") held multiple
patents for efficient, high-volume pumps, and its product line grew
to include pumpers, ladder trucks and tankers. Quickly, the company
dominated the American fire apparatus market and fielded equipment
capable of supporting fire departments from the smallest
communities to the largest metropolitan areas. A Canadian branch
plant operated in Toronto from Despite its excellence and success,
American LaFrance eventually ceased operations as a in 2014.
Unknown to many enthusiasts, American La France also produced a
small run of large and powerful passenger cars from about 1907 to
1914, based upon Crane-Simplex automobile chassis. According to the
Standard Catalog of American Cars: 1805-1942, these few American
LaFrance motorcars were commonly known around the company's
workshops as "chiefs cars," quite likely internal slang for
vehicles manufactured for the use of American LaFrance senior
management. As few as two ALF automobiles remain today. Total
production is believed to have reached about 22 examples, plus
several so-called Speedsters, that inspired a number of retroactive
builds, including this highly compelling example. Retaining its
Identification Tag numbered 1551, this 1917 American LaFrance
Speedster is documented by the American LaFrance & LaFrance
Register as having left the Elmira, New York factory on June 16,
1917, followed by shipment by rail to the Dunn, North Carolina fire
department. Subsequent history remains unknown until it was
exported to the UK, where it was restored by Richard Skinner and
his father and reconfigured with a shortened and judiciously
lightened chassis. To some enthusiasts, the adventurous four-seater
Touring-style coachwork could very well be considered a Torpedo
Speedster, depending upon one's interpretation of Vintage and
Veteran automobile body styles. Formerly UK-registered as '1551,'
the vehicle's massive T-head inline six-cylinder engine displaces a
mammoth 14.5 liters, bearing Casting Number 12E-3400 and 3740
number stamping. According to information posted online by Richard
Skinner's father, who participated extensively in the vehicle's
restoration and build, he designed a replacement radiator, based on
the original article. The father-and-son team designed and machined
larger drive sprockets to unlock improved speed potential, which
the duo carefully tested to about 60 mph following completion of
the restoration and build. Additional improvements included fitment
of a set of Dunlop hubs and During the latter 2010s, this unique
vehicle was sold to a new owner in the United States, who had the
car refinished. The current black paint finish remains simply
gorgeous throughout and confers a powerful and decidedly menacing
persona, complemented by the luxurious green leather upholstery and
new nickel-plated bright accents. Other desirable cues include a
tonneau cover, mounted rear spare wheel and tire, and eye-catching
"fishtail" exhaust tip. Crowning the vehicle, the massive
14.4-liter, T-head, inline engine has been impressively detailed. A
unique vintage touring car with incomparable presence, this unique
fire engine-based vehicle celebrates the rich American LaFrance
legacy and evokes rich images of adventure with every drive. Offers
welcome and trades considered For additional details please view
this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7302-1917-american-lafrance-torpedo-speedster/
