For Sale at Auction: 1925 Ford Truck in Williamston, Michigan

From the Don Henley Collection VIN: 11876982 Clean IL Title See it run and drive! An Exceptionally Original Municipal Fire Apparatus with Remarkable Provenance and Historic Preservation. Representing the pioneering years of organized municipal firefighting, this 1925 Ford Model TT Fire Truck Pumper is an exceptionally original and highly preserved piece of American fire service history. Built on Ford's rugged Model TT commercial chassis and professionally outfitted by the General Fire Truck Company of St. Louis, Missouri, this remarkable apparatus survives with an extraordinary level of originality rarely found in early fire equipment. Originally ordered new by a small village in Central Illinois, the truck faithfully served its community until the 1950s before being carefully preserved for future generations. Today, it remains an outstanding example of early twentieth-century fire apparatus, retaining nearly all of its original equipment, accessories, and historic character. Highlights • 1925 Ford Model TT Fire Truck Pumper • Professionally built by the General Fire Truck Company, St. Louis, Missouri • Originally purchased new by a Central Illinois village • Highly original preservation-class example • Original Himico engine/transmission conversion • Three-speed transmission with Power Take-Off (PTO) for pump operation • Original fire pump remains intact and operational • Runs and drives exceptionally well • ALL tires New • Original gold lettering and striping still visible • Includes original firefighting equipment and accessories • Original factory 8�10 delivery photograph documenting the truck when new • Approximately 16 feet in length • Fits through a standard 7-foot garage door Exceptional Provenance This remarkable fire truck served a single Central Illinois community from new until its retirement during the 1950s, preserving an extraordinary level of authenticity seldom found among municipal service vehicles. Rather than being modernized or extensively altered, it remained remarkably intact throughout its working life. Today, the truck still retains an impressive collection of original firefighting equipment, including tools, fittings, nozzles, hoses, lanterns, axes, ladders, bells, searchlight, headlights, and numerous other original accessories. Even the original gold leaf lettering and decorative striping remain visible in places, offering a remarkable glimpse into its decades of community service.Adding to its outstanding provenance is the original 8�10 factory delivery photograph presented to the village upon purchase-an exceptional piece of documentation that accompanies the truck and further enhances its historical significance. Award-Winning Preservation The extraordinary originality of this fire apparatus has earned prestigious national recognition from the Antique Automobile Club of America. • AACA Historic Preservation of Original Features (HPOF) Award, 2015 This distinguished award recognizes exceptionally original vehicles that have survived with their authentic finishes, equipment, and character intact. It affirms this truck as one of the finest preserved examples of early municipal fire apparatus in the collector hobby. Historical Significance Introduced in 1917, Ford's Model TT chassis revolutionized light commercial transportation and quickly became the preferred platform for municipalities, farmers, and businesses requiring dependable heavy-duty service. Its rugged construction made it an ideal foundation for specialized vehicles, including ambulances, utility trucks, and fire apparatus. The General Fire Truck Company of St. Louis was among the respected builders that transformed Ford chassis into fully equipped fire engines for small towns throughout the Midwest. These compact pumpers provided communities with dependable firefighting capability at a fraction of the cost of larger custom-built apparatus, making modern fire protection accessible to hundreds of rural municipalities. The unique Himico engine and transmission conversion, featuring a Power Take-Off (PTO) to operate the fire pump, represents an innovative engineering solution of the era and remains one of this truck's most distinctive features. Complete, highly original Model TT fire apparatus with their original accessories and documentation have become increasingly scarce, making surviving examples highly desirable among collectors of antique automobiles and historic firefighting equipment alike.