American La France Fire Truck Restoration
Preserving Historic American Fire Apparatus
Unlike our American La France speedster builds, we often encounter fire trucks that are complete, original, and deserving of restoration in their original form.
These remarkable vehicles were, in their time, both highly functional machines and works of art. Built for fire departments across the United States, they were a source of pride within their communities and maintained to an exceptionally high standard throughout their service lives.
The History
One of the most interesting aspects of these vehicles is how many have survived.
Historically, fire departments were allocated annual budgets based on the number of vehicles in their fleet. If a budget was not fully used, future funding could be reduced. As a result, when older fire trucks reached the end of their operational use, they were often retained in storage rather than sold or scrapped.
This practice meant that many vehicles remained preserved, untouched for decades, allowing them to survive well beyond 100 years. Understanding this history gives valuable insight into how these rare machines have endured.
The Restoration
Each vehicle is carefully stripped down and restored from the ground up.
Our work focuses on returning these fire trucks to their original condition, preserving their historical integrity while ensuring mechanical reliability and longevity.
Every detail is considered, from mechanical systems to visual finish, so that the completed vehicle reflects both its original craftsmanship and its importance as a piece of motoring and civic history.
Where a vehicle is suitable for full restoration, preserving it in its original form is always our priority. These fire trucks represent an important part of American engineering and community history, and our aim is to ensure they are restored with the care and respect they deserve.
