Our 1971 American La France Engine Galleries

1971 American La France : 1971 American LaFrance from Hartford CT. Hartford ordered 6 new pumps in 1971, this is the only one left in existence. Bought for my son at age 14 who has wanted to become a firefighter since 18 months old. Kind of a father son project. He is now 20 and in college double majoring in fire science and paramedicine. We are still working on restoring this truck. See most recent photos, it hit a deer in 2008! It has had new tires and wheels, new rear springs, front shocks, drive shafts balanced, new u-joints, transfer case input and output bearings replaced and ruptured cooler repaired, new diamond plate battery boxes, complete fluids changed and all filters replaced, radiator repaired, bench seat and rear jump seats re-upholstered, new running boards, re-painted by myself to original paint code specs. This rig is in the Hartford Fire Dept. history book. On page 69 it is working at a multiple alarm fire on Washington Street. A Capt. who served on this became Mayor of Hartford. Since we bought it and began restoring it, It has won many trophies including the President's Choice Award at SPAAMFAA in June 2006 while being shown at the Lynnfield, MA. muster. It originally had a 12 cylinder waukashaw gas motor and 5 speed manual transmission. It was rehabbed in 1994 by the Hartford motor squad maintenance shop and they put in a 671 Detroit motor that has a super charger and turbo with over sized injectors producing 305HP. They also installed an Allison MT644 4 speed automatic transmission. I purchased this rig for $1000.00 put just over $16,000 into it and it was appraised last year at $55,000. If you know anyone that may have photos of this truck working at jobs in Hartford, please have them contact me. Thank you! Enjoy the pics!

1971 American La France

1971 American LaFrance from Hartford CT. Hartford ordered 6 new pumps in 1971, this is the only one left in existence. Bought for my son at age 14 who has wanted to become a firefighter since 18 months old. Kind of a father son project. He is now 20 and in college double majoring in fire science and paramedicine. We are still working ...

Updated: Jun 12, 2009 8:26am PST