Joe alerted me to the sale of this Fire Jeep through Sotheby’s. Joe thought it was used as en emergency vehicle at the Mrs. Paul Mellon estate (4,000 acres) in Upperville, VA west of Washington, DC.
“A 1950 WILLYS JEEP CJ2A FIRE TRUCK with Howe Fire Apparatus, VIN 44609-3J43290, serial number CJ-3A, currently with 1,440 miles listed on the odometer. Together with a pumper, an equipment trailer, a compressor and assorted fire fighting furnishings.
height 7 ft. 5 in.; width 5 ft. 5 in.; length 12 ft. 3 in.; height of trailer 6 ft.; width 5 ft. 4 in.; length 7 ft. 10 in.226.1 cm; 165.1 cm; 373.4 cm; 182.9 cm; 162.6 cm; 238.8 cm”
no way this sold for 70 grand. maybe 10
LOVE TO KNOW MYSELF THE SELLING PRICE
According to Sotheby’s, $68,750 was the selling price (with buyers premium included). They’d estimated the potential price at $20-$25k prior to bidding. So, there must have been some kind of bidding war that boosted the price.
I saw this Jeep many years ago on the farm in Upperville Va. I think this may be a real price since I also checked on the Sotheby web site. I think this just DASHED any hopes I have on getting a CJ fire truck !
The ‘3J-43290’ part of the listed vin/serial number is the Boyer Fire Jeep allocated serial number.
I found the auction story by chance when surfing New York City news on http://www.nypost.com and I believe the stated price is legit. Competition is always high in NYC…… anyone remember years ago when Roy Rogers beloved “Nellybelle” sold at auction also at a high price. Bidder’s Feeding Frenzy!!!