ROADSIDE ATTRACTION

By Kurt Taylor

I’m sure that many of us have heard stories about an old fire engine that is sitting along side of the road, out in a field, in some farmers barn, or squirreled away in a far corner of an old salvage yard.

Upon learning of this machine you gas up the car and immediately head off on an adventure! Searching the countryside for a landmark that says you’re on the right course you cruise down a two lane country road knowing that the fire engine of your dreams is only a pasture or two away!

More often than not, you discover that the fire engine turned out to be an old truck that was painted red, a tractor, was sold or cut up only days before you arrived. When you do find a rig the condition may be more than you want to tackle in terms of a possible restoration project.

But we keep looking because those old rigs are out there! Member Kurt Taylor recently came across this 1924 American LaFrance on a stretch of highway in Northern California. Although in this case major components were missing, usable parts may help with another apparatus, or an ambitious individual may really want a long term restoration project!
 

Photo #1
The frame, motor, radiator shell, and pump have survived this outdoor storage since the 1960’s.
 

Photo #2
The fenders and wheels are still attached. And how did that steering wheel survive! Maybe these will be used to help with another apparatus that needs parts.
 

Photo #3
You know that hauling a rig away is going to be a lengthy process when there are trees growing up through the frame!
 

Photo #4
An unglamorous home for a once proud American LaFrance. Register #4619 was sold to Roseville, California in 1924. It was identified as a Type 38-39 PWT (pumper with water tank).
 

We hope you enjoyed this little look at Roadside Attractions.  If you have photos of some Roadside Attractions with pertinent information that you can send along in jpeg format, we may add them to our list of Roadside Attractions.