Details About Our Available 1928 Ahrens-Fox Firetruck:
For sale at the St. Louis Car Museum is a 1928 Ahrens-Fox N-S-4
triple combination pumper powered by a 998ci T-Head 6-cylinder
Super Power engine with dual exhaust valves producing 110
horsepower. It retains its Register No. 3321 identification body
tags and was rated with a 1000 gpm flow rate when in use. For extra
starting reliability in all conditions, the factory electrical
system consists of a Delco Magneto and Bosch distributor. It also
features traditional right-hand-drive controls, a 3-speed manual
transmission, a 40-gallon fuel tank, front and rear solid axles
with leaf springs, and mechanical drum brakes.
Apparatus equipment retained on our well-survived N-S-4
includes:
2 extension ladders
Correct Ryan-Lite headlights
Forward-mounted Sterling electric siren
12" chrome hand bell
hose bin and reel
Onboard water/chemical tank
2.5" hose
Under-hood service light + oiling can
2 standard fire extinguishers (Rough-Riders)
2 small extinguishers
2 large diameter hose hook-ups
1 screened pick up
4 spray nozzles
1 spear pick
1 pry bar
Plus additional spare pieces, including period-correct hand
tools.
Front-mounted piston pump Ahrens-Fox spherical air chamber.
Our example was placed in service as the very first motorized
engine apparatus ever used by the Fairview Fire Department in 1928.
The overall patina of FFD Engine No. 1 is outstanding, with much of
the original painted filigree details still faintly visible on body
panels and controls, along with the original wood dash, gauges, and
green linoleum floor coverings. Our vehicle experts at the St.
Louis Car Museum replaced the engine oil, cleaned the fuel filter,
replaced the original fan belt, & installed a new battery. It
continues to start and run wonderfully, providing a robust exhaust
note and massive torque! The original fuel tank appears to be in
good shape inside, but it now utilizes a smaller, auxiliary fuel
cell for operation. We have not made any efforts to utilize the
actual pump, but it appears to be all intact, like the rest of the
truck. Sold on Bill of Sale. Contact Jon Faust at (314)993-1330
with additional questions or to schedule a test drive.
History about the Ahrens Manufacturing Company:
Horse-drawn steam-powered fire pumpers were the standard
firefighting apparatus of the late 19th Century, almost all of them
using boiler technology patented by Charles Fox of Cincinnati,
Ohio. Chris Ahrens began building fire apparatus in 1870, forming
Ahrens Manufacturing Company in 1875. By 1910, he was joined by his
son-in-law Charles Fox, and the company had become known as
Ahrens-Fox, where they continued to build from their Cincinnati,
OH, facility.
In 191,9 the company introduced and patented the first modern
triple-combination, self-propelled pumper. While other
manufacturers used centrifugal or rotary-type pumps, Ahrens-Fox
preferred a 4-cylinder piston pump, which was well proven in the
field and widely known and accepted by fire departments.
Ahrens-Fox, perhaps reflecting Charles Fox's experience as a
firefighter in Cincinnati, became known for the high quality of its
apparatus. Their last example was delivered in 1952 to Hope Hose
Company #1 in Tarrytown, New York.
Contact Jon Faust to learn more about this vintage firetruck or to
ask about financing and trading options - (800) 957-5707 |
[email protected]
