Info on '37 Ford ALF

[ThNozzleman]

I seldom start threads and usually enjoy reading far more than posting, but I thought I'd throw this out to see if anyone can help. Our department's first real fire engine is a 1937 Ford/American LaFrance. We are considering doing a complete restoration if the funding is available. However, I'd like to see one like it, or similar, so we can replace the booster tank, hose bed, and other sections that have been changed or become missing over the years. I found one exactly like it on a northern department's website, except for it being red and having three sections of hard suction where ours has only two. I sent them a request on the email posted on their website, but never heard anything back. Googling for pics has turned up little to nothing. I'll try to post some pics, so if anyone knows of another one like it and can provide any info or a few good pics we'd sure appreciate it.

[BULL321]

We have a 1940 Ford ALF, that been restored, would you like to see?

[ThNozzleman]

We have a 1940 Ford ALF, that been restored, would you like to see?

Heck, yeah...you can post them here, or email me at thnozzleman@bellsouth.net. Thanks!

[CaptOldTimer]

Do you have the serial number for this truck, may be on the pump panel, in the cab or fire wall.

[slackjawedyokel]

might want to post on the youngstown forums

[ThNozzleman]

Do you have the serial number for this truck, may be on the pump panel, in the cab or fire wall.

Sure do. Thought about submitting it to ALF and see if they can provide any info. Probably a long shot.

[BoxAlarm187]

Post the SN here, a number of us have resources we might be able to tap into.

[BULL321]

Here You go! "Old Red" 1940 Ford ALF.

[ThNozzleman]

F1143 American LaFrance and Foamite Corp, Elmira, New York

[FIREMECH1]

Here You go! "Old Red" 1940 Ford ALF.

Looks like one of your fire trucks finally ripened up. ROFLMAO

FM1

[BULL321]

Looks like one of your fire trucks finally ripened up. ROFLMAO

FM1

Only took 71 years.

[kuh shise]

Not sure what happened to the files at ALF in Elmira. We were fortunate enough to get our builders pictures(2) before the first move. The builders pix will be a side view with the serial number on a sign displayed below the running board. Suggest that you contact SPAAMFAA and ask who to contact about this. There are a number of folks doing some super restoration of old equipment. 2009 we did a tear down of our 4 cyl Type 40 engine and were able to find rings and valves for it. This is a 1917 Chemical and hose car with a 300 gpm Jr. pump. Still pumps. The builders picture will allow matching the original gold leaf patterns if you are interested in going back to the original.

[ThNozzleman]

Not sure what happened to the files at ALF in Elmira. We were fortunate enough to get our builders pictures(2) before the first move. The builders pix will be a side view with the serial number on a sign displayed below the running board. Suggest that you contact SPAAMFAA and ask who to contact about this. There are a number of folks doing some super restoration of old equipment. 2009 we did a tear down of our 4 cyl Type 40 engine and were able to find rings and valves for it. This is a 1917 Chemical and hose car with a 300 gpm Jr. pump. Still pumps. The builders picture will allow matching the original gold leaf patterns if you are interested in going back to the original.

I'd love to have access to that sort of database. We actually have several pics of our Engine 1 from back in the day, but close up details are hard to locate. I'm in the process of forming a public request for anyone in the city or surrounding communities for pics and information they may have. Occasionally people will stop by when they discover a bit of department history a relative may have and donate it, such as old badges and the like. Here is a pic of our Engine 1 from about the same time it was purchased.

[ThNozzleman]

This is what they were using before purchasing the '37 ALF. I've been told it's an early 20's Buick rigged up to fight fire. I guess we've come a long way, baby!

[BULL321]

I'd love to have access to that sort of database. We actually have several pics of our Engine 1 from back in the day, but close up details are hard to locate. I'm in the process of forming a public request for anyone in the city or surrounding communities for pics and information they may have. Occasionally people will stop by when they discover a bit of department history a relative may have and donate it, such as old badges and the like. Here is a pic of our Engine 1 from about the same time it was purchased.

That is a sharp looking rig!

[ThNozzleman]

That is a sharp looking rig!

Thanks. Here's a pic of the guys who were on the department when it was purchased. A the grandfather of a local businessman and another man actually went to Elmira, NY and drove her all the way back to Tennessee.

[Catch22]

Sure do. Thought about submitting it to ALF and see if they can provide any info. Probably a long shot.

You might be surprised. We were doing some history work on some old pictures of our department a while back trying to figure out what kinds of trucks were in the picture. I finally found something I could magnify the hood ornament enout to read "LaFrance". I emailed them asking if they had any info on apparatus from our department.

They emailed me back within a couple of days (a vice president, at that). What we found out was that it as a 1916 Lafrance. We also found out that the 1928 piece that's in our town's museum (complete with the dent in the fuel tank from an LODD roll-over) was mislabeled at the museum. Everyone had thought it was a different year.

[FWDbuff]

That is one hell of a bell on the front of that thing!!!

Also consider trying the ALF Museum, perhaps they have some archived material/files.

[ThNozzleman]

That is one hell of a bell on the front of that thing!!!

Also consider trying the ALF Museum, perhaps they have some archived material/files.

Tell me about it! That thing was put on it sometime in the late 50's. It was donated to a member by Southern Railroad. It is actually the bell off of one of the last two steam locomotives still in service before being replaced by diesels. We're not really sure why they decided to put it on the front of the old ALF. It's currently a matter of debate as whether to leave it during resoration, or remove it, returning her to her original condition. I'm for removing it and remounting it on a decorative stand to use in ceremonies. Man, you haven't polished brass until you've polished this thing!

[FWDbuff]

Tell me about it! That thing was put on it sometime in the late 50's. It was donated to a member by Southern Railroad. It is actually the bell off of one of the last two steam locomotives still in service before being replaced by diesels. We're not really sure why they decided to put it on the front of the old ALF. It's currently a matter of debate as whether to leave it during resoration, or remove it, returning her to her original condition. I'm for removing it and remounting it on a decorative stand to use in ceremonies. Man, you haven't polished brass until you've polished this thing!

If you are going for an "original" restoration, my vote is for removal. For 2 reasons....1. Not original (duh!) and 2. That thing has to weigh several hundred pounds.....I gotta believe that it has some kind of an adverse effect on the front suspension.

Put some good wheels on that stand!!!!