Here’s a very low mileage 1968 Ford fire truck. It has only about 11,000 miles on it. Imagine what this fellow told his wife when he brought this home (I hate to think of what she might have said in response)! It must have been a real bargain and he’s lucky to have such a huge barn. It seems to be time to move it on to a new home. All the ladders and equipment are included. As I recall, many fairly new fire trucks were taken out of service in the 1980’s because of new regulations requiring air brakes. It wasn’t economically feasible to convert many trucks with hydraulic brakes, so some were shipped to South America and elsewhere, while others were converted for other uses, parted out and scrapped, or put into storage. This is a lot of vehicle for only $3500, but what could you do with it? One fellow I know of bought one to use in his marina. He moves boats with it and when he pulls boats out of the water he hoses them off right on the ramp. Does anyone have any other ideas? I believe anything over 10k pounds has to have air brakes now if it’s used commercially, so this really limits this truck’s use for businesses. If you have a good idea for it, you can find it here on craigslist. Thanks to Robert R for this huge find!
Oh and what sort of Pontiac is that to the right of the truck?
Not a Pontiac – looks more like that Mopar thing with “Corinthian Leather”
That’s no Mopar. Looks like a Stutz Blackhawk. Although they were designed by Virgil Exner, that’s all GM you’re looking at under that Ghia bodywork.
Oops.. wrote this before reading below. Someone Id’d it as a Bayliff Packard. Still GM or Ford.
its a 75 grand prix
Never mind the fire truck – I wanted to know what that dusty pimpmobile is. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like it. The grille seems to be mimicking a 1930’s Packard.
Here’s what I found:
http://carzhunt.blogspot.com/2013/12/packard-motor-car-company.html
i want that truck badly who cares about the junk next to it. There a history behind this truck and someone need to bring it back to the glory it use to be. Where can I buy this truck at
Not sure how it was missed but check the CL pictures. It has a manual transmission (as evidenced by the clutch pedal and that the long skinny thing sticking out of the floor) and air brakes (that’s the fat gray pedal by the long skinny black pedal which is right by where the aforementioned stick is located. Also a little fuzzy on where the statement about “anything over 10K pounds” has to have air brakes comes from. All that aside, it would be fun to have if a body has enough garage for it.
Where did you get the idea about air brakes? It is not uncommon at all to buy a new 26,000 GVW truck with “Juce” brakes. Some states have a special endorsement requirement for air brakes so the hydraulics are still popular. The market for old fire trucks here on the West coast was controlled by the logging industry. Many log contracts require the company to have a fire truck on site in case of an emergency. This may not have a tank, so if it is just a pumper it wouldn’t qualify. I frequently buy fire department equipment, it is generally well maintained and taken out of service for age rather than being worn or broken.
Look’s like a Stutz……
The “Pontiac” is a Bayliff Packard. C.Budd Bayliff, owner of Bayliff Coach Corp (which usually makes hearses) is a big Packard fan. How big? Well he bought the Packard name and trademarks in 1978 and produced “Packards” ever since. Most were blatant conversions of Ford and GM automobiles which, as a Packard fan, I personally find repulsive. He DID do one original design of a 1934 Packard that looks really decent from the outside but when you sit inside there’s no mistaking the 1980s GM interior!
http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/b/bayliff/bayliff.htm
I come across a fire truck for sale now and again and I’m always surprised at the low asking prices for all of them.
I immediately thought of the tow truck conversion. I don’t think that the ad has the series right. Think it’s another C in long wheelbase. 3 digits for gassers; 4 for diesel. It would qualify as historic here. Out of my storage abilities, however.
With no water tank, this limits to only to get Fluffy out of the tree.
Ladders, tool boxes, generator, MAN the ultimate contractors truck!!!
if it runs, then take the body off and put the truck to work. put a rollback, flatbed or box on it. sell the fire equipment to get some/all your money back. i too think it is manual with air brakes.
I agree with most, what do you do with a fire truck? The novelty wears off pretty quick ( as evidenced here) As Ken sez, it does have air brakes, but being a ladder truck, the air might do other things too. It would make a great rollback, or flatbed. And I have driven many heavy-duty trucks with hydraulic brakes, and had some scary rides in loaded tandem dump trucks ( 50K lbs. or more sometimes) with hydraulic brakes. Definitely should be outlawed.
Either here or on other forums, I’ve seen it pointed out that fire trucks are geared for acceleration and around-town flexibility; fuel economy is not a priority in their design. Converting something like this to a hauler without addressing gear ratios would result in eye-watering fuel bills from probably sub-five MPG consumption.
yes you are right. the fire trucks also have to be able to climb the steepest grade in their area at GVWR. a city near me bought a brand new made to order truck that when tested, after they had accepted it, could not do so. a lot of finger pointing, blame game, and then a lawsuit. the local taxpayers ended up with the bill to regear the truck.
either take the body off or try to modify it enough where you could build a super cool motor coach/R.V.
Not sure how you came up with air / fluid change over. I drove this ladder truck for 10yrs. She has air brakes truck taken out of service in early 2000 and replaced with current ladder. Gas..Man trans..65′ ladder.. Built in Battle Creek Mi by American Fire.. Many of our trucks built by that company .. This truck rear ladder compartment was built to carry 1 of 2 ever made 4 section Bangor ladder. Other portable ladder was built for Chicago Fire.. That portable ladder was built in late 40’s.. Took 6 guys to handle it..