I’m amazed you can purchase this 1941 Chevy firetruck with a Van Pelt body for only $9,950 on here on eBay! It has less than 10,000 miles and just look at that great patina! Now, about the twin engine. The second engine is a 6 cylinder flathead Chrysler that runs the pump. This truck was originally in the Navy and still wears some of the gray. It is all original except for the headlights and windshield frame which were stolen while it was in storage. It is rust free, runs and drives great, and everything works – even the siren. The owner has not tried to start the pump though. Here’s a firetruck you can fit in your garage at home! This is in my area, so let me know if you are serious about it and want me to have a look. Wouldn’t this be great for a road trip?
What a find and a 1942 vehicle at that! Clean and wax then find a parade to drive in.
The submersible hose and the lack for other large hoses makes since that the truck was built for the Navy.
The “submersible hose” as you call it is actually called hard suction. It is used anywhere that might have access to a natural water source and in rural areas where water is dumped into pools by tankers.
The empty hose load likely had 2 1/2″ hose for hydrant supply and/or fire attack.
What a great truck……..the only problem that I can see with it would be the lack of an oil pump in the main engine. Otherwise……I could use it here at the ranch and probably write it off as an expense.
splash lub only?
Dave…..that 216 stovebolt definitely has an oil pump. I do notice the lack of an oil FILTER .
Oil filters were an option on some cars into the 50’s. I can believe splash lubrication for the lower engine, but getting oil to the overhead valve system will not happen without a pump.
i would not bid on it because this truck needs to be saved as is. and i would part out all the firetruck related items, put a pickup bed on on it and have a low mileage truck to drive. the pickup truck would be low cost also as i think there is a strong market for the firetruck parts. great find
seller has 2 other chevy trucks on ebay. plus others in the photos background.
Great truck, but needs the right buyer because it’s such a niche vehicle, with limited uses beyond Show N’ Shines or running in special parades that include vintage vehicles.
I hope someone steps up and buys it, altho the seller might have trouble getting the near-$10K that he wants.
No worries—these engines have a pressure oiling system. See page 63 here:
https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/docs/gm-heritage-archive/vehicle-information-kits/Chevrolet-Trucks/1942-Chevrolet-Truck.pdf
Dolphin, Thanks, that is a fantastic source of info.
I would love to have this truck but the wife would kill me if I bought it. Not for 10K either maybe 7 to 8 K.
Couldn’t find much on the Van Pelt body, but apparently, “Chrysler Defense Pumps” were mounted on Civil Defense trucks ( which may explain the gray color) and the pumps powered by many different motors, including the Chrysler 6. It must be a pretty big pump, as most of these had pumps mounted on the front and run off the truck motor. I don’t see a tank, so it must be a transfer type truck.
Here’s an idea! If the pump works, this could be used at a marina to pull small boats out of the water and hose them off.