Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles Research Archives

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1952 M-38A1 Fire Jeep Ladera Ranch, CA **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, M-38A1 • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was listed at $13,900 

(04/26/2016) “1952 Willys Jeep/ M38A1 (former Military/early CJ) converted to Brush Fire pumper somewhere along the way. I don’t have much history on this vehicle. But, Drives great, pump disconnected for now, but does work. New Paint 2 years ago. (NOTE; PHOTOS SHOW FORMER UPPER HOSE TRAY, HOSE REEL AND TANK WHICH HAVE BEEN REMOVED AND SCRAPPED, REPLACED WITH SECOND SEAT IN REAR WITH MATCHING FRONT SEAT UPHOLSTERY) Now a GREAT truck for parades with the family or cruising the hills of California, or wherever. Fits in any garage!

Other details; Original 4 cyl Willys engine, transmission (3spd) high/ low range, 4 WD (though I’ve never locked front axles, all instruments work along with all electrical working.

History; I’m about the 3rd owner, purchased about 10 years ago from FF in CT. who purchased it from person in PA. As mentioned, definitely a former military M38A1 that was retrofitted as a fire pumper. Some base yellow paint on frame may point to it serving on air base or carrier? No other history known.”

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1953 M-38A1 Sioux City, IA **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, M-38A1 This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $2900.

The dash on the passenger side has been modified. This is a former Fire Jeep.

“Selling my 1953 M38A1 Military jeep. Prior to me buying this it had been sitting for 5 years. It was used by a rural Fire dept before that. So the fire dept added the rear rack. Replaced the seats with buckets from god only knows where.
The good is this jeep has very little rust, fuel Tank has been steam cleaned and coated. New batteries & fuel pump have been installed (it is still a 24 volt system) starts runs shifts and drives. Brakes are sketchy and will need attention. Clearly the jeep has oversized tires and wheels. The wiring will need some attention. The always bent and broken front fenders are near perfect. This is a great stump jumper or restoration project. Priced right.”

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1991 Photo of 1948 CJ-2A Fire Jeep on ebay

• CATEGORIES: Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This photo was taken at an auto museum (Harrah’s?) in 1991. I haven’t seen this jeep at any of the California museums I’ve visited. Anyone know what happened to it?

“1991 Press Photo Restored 1948 Jeep firetruck displayed at museum in Reno. This is an original press photo. The 1948 Jeep firetruck is now restored and on display at a museum in Reno, Nevada. Photo measures 10 x 8 inches. Photo is dated 10-14-1991.”

View all the information on eBay

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1963 CJ-5 Fire Jeep Doylestown, OH **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: CJ5, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $4000.

(09/24/2017) This one’s a bit funky. Has a “cage” over the roll bar.

“I have a former fire dept jeep with clear title. Very good condition. Odometer shows only 1900 miles, which could be true due to history but title does say discrepancy. Previous owner did some engine work like water pump and other things. He messed up timing, and I haven’t had time to really work on it. It will start, but runs rough. Wife is bugging me to get out of garage, and I don’t have time to work on it. Very rare!
Previous owner lifted 2″ by changing springs and put these wheels on it. I have original wheels with tires also.”

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1954 M-38A1 Brush Truck Mt. Airy, MD $3000

• CATEGORIES: Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, M-38A1 This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Still Available.

(09/19/2017) Runs, but needs some work.

“1954 Willys Jeep M 38A1 Brush Truck
runs
need brakes and a gas tank
12 volts”

https://frederick.craigslist.org/cto/d/1954-willys-jeep-m38a1-brush/6363924697.html

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1952 M-38A1 Brush Jeep Hilton Head, SC $13,900

• CATEGORIES: Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, M-38A1 • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Still Available.

(10/05/2017) Ted spotted this nice looking Fire Pumper Brush jeep on Hemmings.

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/jeep/cj5/1820774.html

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“1952 Willys Jeep/ M38A1 (former Military/early CJ) converted to Brush Fire pumper somewhere along the way. I don’t have much history on this vehicle. But, Drives great, pump disconnected for now, but does work. New Paint 2 years ago. (NOTE; PHOTOS SHOW FORMER UPPER HOSE TRAY, HOSE REEL AND TANK WHICH HAVE BEEN REMOVED AND SCRAPPED, REPLACED WITH SECOND SEAT IN REAR WITH MATCHING FRONT SEAT UPHOLSTERY) Now a GREAT truck for parades with the family, cruising the beach, hills, or wherever. Fits in any garage!

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1958 NPS Truck … Needs Parts

• CATEGORIES: Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, Willys Trucks This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Unclear if Rudy still needs parts or not. 

Rudy recently purchased this National Park Service fire truck out of Fort Collins, Colorado. He wants to restore it, but needs some help locating parts and information about it. If anyone knows anything or has some parts, please contact him at rudyskfparts @ sbcglobal.net (remove spaces around the @).

“Looking for the needle in a hay stack but it’s worth a shot as not many Willys fire trucks out there. Looking for the pump, tank, hose reel and any other items that may have come off this truck over the years. Has a great history serving in the National Park Service and want to bring it back to it’s former glory but will need some help.

This was purchased in 1993 at a Government surplus auction by Mr. Bender of Fort Collins at which time it was a functioning fire truck but soon sold it to a Mr. Kleeberg who at the time owned a wrecking yard for years in Fort Collins. Not much is known after this point as Mr. Kleeberg passed away and little is known what happened to the missing parts. If anyone knows any history and /or what happened to any of the parts specific to this truck I would be interested in purchasing any parts to help restore the truck. Will gladly pay a finders fee that leads to the purchase of any parts as well.
First two pictures are of the truck needing the parts and the last four are of a similar trucks and what the parts would look like. The truck was built by Bay City Fire Trucks in Bay City Michigan.”

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Clark County, Nevada, Sheriff’s Office Jeep Posse

• CATEGORIES: Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, Magazine, Old Images • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

A little something to read from five years ago …

Originally published October 31, 2012: I stumbled across some Flickr Images of the Clark County, Nevada, Sheriff’s Office Jeep Posse. I searched for a website for the group, but could only find a Sheriff site.

Here are a few images from Flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kh7cz/4011171143/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kh7cz/4011171121/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kh7cz/4011171165/in/photostream/ 

 

In February, 1952, Popular Science published a short article about this Jeep Posse.  Note the Slat Grille MB.

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Links to Fire Jeeps in Portugal

• CATEGORIES: Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Roberto Flores’ search for fires in Portugal tangentially led to a finding a few links to blogs with fire jeeps on them.

This first set of photos is from a 2008 post on a Portuguese website. According to a translation, “On the day of [the jeep’s] baptism, the Father said in his address: “The first-aid jeep is intended to fill a very important gap in this Corporation, which is to be able to turn to places of difficult access or even of the city, where it is not justified to move a heavier car.”

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This second fire jeep resides at the Fire Museum at Dafundo in Portugal. This 1947 CJ-2A was acquired in 2010, then restored.

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This last website from Catalonia only shows one photo and it’s not the best angle. Still, the parking lights suggest it is a 1946 or early 1947 CJ-2A. It’s not clear where this one is located, other than in Portugal.

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Unusual Ambulance Jeep

• CATEGORIES: Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, Unusual • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE II: It’s now red and for sale again: http://www.ewillys.com/2022/12/25/1950-modified-cj-3a-celestine-in-10000/

UPDATE: It appears this jeep has been re-themed into a resort vehicle.

This unusual ambulance jeep was shared on Facebook. I’ve tracked down an additional photo that shows it’s got a standard gas inlet on the side, so I think this may have been a CJ-3A.

This vehicle is located in Vincennes, Indiana (still there??). I’d really like some better photos of this. I’ll offer an Alaska Or Rust T-shirt and my everlasting gratitude if someone could get some more pics of this unusual rig.

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1951 Truck Atwater, OH $1800

• CATEGORIES: Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, Willys Trucks This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Cool old fire department truck project.

“Complete xfire truck great truck for someone who is looking for a winter project. Lots of potential. Currently not in running condition.”

https://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/d/1951-willys-4×4-truck/6316790073.html

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1953 M-38A1 Livingstonville, NY **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, M-38A1 This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was Auction.

“The Town of Broome Volunteer Fire Department will be receiving sealed bids for the sale of a 1953 Willy’s Jeep. For questions or an appointment to see this unit call
and leave a message and someone will contact you. Sealed bids must be received no later than 7pm on October 10, 2017. Bids can mailed to: The Town of Broome Fire Department 453 State Route 145 Middleburgh, NY 12122. Envelopes must be clearly marked “JEEP BID”. The Town of Broome Volunteer Fire Department has the right to reject any and all bids at their discretion. Some equipment in photos not included in sale.”

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1936 Willys Overland Fire Truck Alpha, NJ $2000

• CATEGORIES: Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

For that Willys owner who wants something unique.  I don’t know how rare it is or isn’t. I just thought this was cool.

“Old Willys fire truck. It was a pickup or van converted to parade fire truck. Very unique. Will need work.”

https://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/d/willys-overland-parade-fire/6253637415.html

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Elko’s CJ-3B Fire Jeep

• CATEGORIES: Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

The “A1”, a CJ-3B Fire Jeep, served as Elko airport’s first fire truck. Still in good shape, it was recently put to use for the “fill the boot” Muscular Distrophy campaign.

http://elkodaily.com/news/local/fire-department-raises-funds-for-mda/article_51487b55-1f98-51d6-b265-ba1f5570678c.html

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1958 FC-170 Ventura, CA $14,500

• CATEGORIES: FC150-FC170-M677, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Price dropped to $14,500. This was auctioned earlier in Washington State.

“This is a 1958 Jeep FC in good running condition, it spent it’s career as a fire department support vehicle. I am the second owner. It Has very low millage. It is currently licensed. Although the paint has scratches from being used it is a solid truck, no rust holes, no broken glass. Six cylinder gas engine.”

https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/cto/6194374067.html

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1943 MB Fire Jeep Phoenicia, NY **sold**

• CATEGORIES: Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, MB This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Update **sold**

“I got this original fire jeep from VT. It’s all original with correct mb engine and 6v accessories including sparton horn! Needs restoration, but a good starting point. Engine should run, I need to tune it up.”

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1963 CJ-3B Mansfield, OH **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: CJ-3B, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was auctioned.

Doug spotted this nice looking, recently retired, 3B Brush Fire jeep. You can see the auction page here: http://shelbycity.oh.gov/visitors/fire/9-uncategorised/234-1963-willy-s-jeep

“The City of Shelby Fire Department is accepting sealed bids for our 1963 Willy’s fire truck. The vehicle has 9666 original miles. The vehicle will be available to view on Saturday, June 10th from 10 AM to 12 PM at the Shelby Fire Department, 10 East Main Street, Shelby, OH  44875.  There will be no test drives.

Sealed bids will be received on June 23, 2017 at 12PM at Shelby City Hall, 43 West Main Street, Shelby, OH 44875.  A certified check or cash in the amount of 10% of the bid shall be included with the proposal form. This vehicle will not be sold for less than $5,000.  For more information, please view the Bid Documents.”

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1954 M-38A1 Brush Truck Mount Airy, MD $3000

• CATEGORIES: Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, M-38A1 This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Needs some work.

“1954 Willys Jeep M 38A1 Brush Truck
runs
need brakes and a gas tank
12 volts”

https://frederick.craigslist.org/cto/6146395431.html

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The Horton Company Scrambler EM Services Jeep

• CATEGORIES: Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, Other 4x4s This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Buz shared pics of a Scrambler that has been transformed into an ambulance. Neither he nor I had seen one like it. A little research revealed that it may have been one of six the Horton Company built  in 1981. Derek Redmond wrote a piece on the vehicles and coined a nickname: the Scrambulance. You can read more on the CJ-3B page.

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1966 CJ-5 USDA AG Albany, GA $1250

• CATEGORIES: CJ5, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Gayland spotted this former government vehicle. It could use some loving. It has several neat data plates.

“1966 JEEP CJ-5 For Sale. For $1500.00. Engine is unassembled and in rear of JEEP. JEEP was built for the Government. Has a warranty sticker on dash from Kaiser Jeep to the Government. Has a Government Data Plate on the dash. It is equipped with a 540 PTO on rear. The previous owner said that the person that he bought it from said it was used to mow grass at a park. The paint has a nice even patina and would look good preserved as is. More pictures added. The rust near the Department of Agriculture decal is the worse spot on the out side of the body. If you were going to restore a 1960s Jeep this would be a rare and interesting one to restore. I have added a picture of the Kaiser JEEP Corporation’s Special Sales Order Plate.

Price reduce to $1250.00 before it goes into the woods for another 10 years.”

https://albanyga.craigslist.org/cto/6059466105.html

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1951 CJ-3A Fire Jeep Spruce Creek, FL $20,000

• CATEGORIES: CJ-3A, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Still Available.

(03/19/2017) Looks good.

“1951 Willy Fire Truck. Completely refurbished in excellent condition. Fully equipped with fire equipment and hoses.”

https://daytona.craigslist.org/cto/6048698809.html

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1947 CJ-2A United Kingdom **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE II: This jeep is now for sale in the UK on eBay for 10x what it was and it doesn’t include the spraying equipment nor the front hub caps. Price was originally $1500.

“Willys 1948 cj2a jeep
Runs and drives
New tyres, brakes etc
We have screen surround, seat covers and hood included
Fuel tank is present
Converted to 12v but all original parts kept
Original paperwork and nova certificate present
Based in chertsey surrey
Sensible offers considered
Any questions please ask”

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CJ-5 Fire Jeep Video

• CATEGORIES: Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

It’s not a long video, but this is a fine looking CJ-5 fire jeep.

 
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Zamboni® Ice Resurfacers & the Jeep

• CATEGORIES: Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, Museums • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: We had a busy, long weekend, Normal updates resume on Tuesday morning. In the meantime, here’s a rerun from 2010.

Eureka, Utah is a very small town.  I imagine it was even smaller when Frank Zamboni was born in 1901.  From those humble beginnings, Frank grew up to create one of the most iconic service vehicles ever:  The Zamboni® Ice Resurfacer.  I’m not sure why they have entered the public’s imagination in the way they have, but if you say Zamboni®, people know what the vehicle does.

In fact, the Frank J. Zamboni company is legitimately concerned about the name Zamboni® passing from being a description of an Ice Surfacer into a noun, which can spell death for a Trademark.  You’ll note on the website that Zamboni® is quickly followed by Ice Surfacer for that specific reason.  In addition, there’s an extensive discussion of the Zamboni® trademark here.

By now, you are probably asking yourself what all this has to do with jeeps? For about 7 years, from 1942 through 1949, Frank Zamboni attempted a variety of experiments to create a good ice resurfacer, mostly using different Jeep models. Below is a summary of the Zamboni® history from the company’s website coupled with pics I’ve found all over the web.  The CJ-3B Page also has some information.

  1. Model A was Frank’s prototype ice re-surfacer.  In 1949, he built the model below (which has been restored and still exists at Paramount Iceland in California):

2. Model B introduced the jeep to ice surfacing.  In 1950, apparently Frank decided he needed something more portable, so he came up with Model B, which used a War Surplus Jeep (I’m assuming MB?).  If you look closely below, you can see Frank connected a U joint to the steering column and then added another steering rod so that you could steer from behind the jeep.  According to the Frank J. Zamboni Corp:

In 1950, Olympic skating star Sonja Henie’s traveling ice show was practicing at Paramount Iceland, and she saw the Model A in action. She had to have one and asked Frank if he could build one in time for an upcoming Chicago performance. The deadline was tough, but Frank worked day and night, then loaded all of the resurfacer parts into a U-Haul® trailer. He towed the trailer to Chicago behind the Jeep he would install the parts on and assembled the Model B there.

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1955 Public Service Sales Brochure

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: This is form W-991-5.  You can download a pdf version here.

(first published 12/7/2010) Gerald scanned and forwarded these images from the  Jeep Family of 4-Wheel-Drive Vehicles in Public Service.  There are 25 images. Thanks Gerald!

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