Although the American-La France company built a handful of automobiles prior to WWI, its main business was always the building and selling of fire trucks. Based in Elmira, New York, the LaFrance Fire Engine Company was originally famous as a manufacturer of steam-powered fire pumpers, some 500-or-so of which has been sold by 1900. In 1901 the firm merged with the American Fire Engine Company (itself formed by the amalgamation of four smaller enterprises), becoming American LaFrance. Steam-powered appliances continued to be made until 1914, but seven years previously the firm had motorised its first apparatus using four-cylinder T-head engines designed by New York neighbours Simplex. The positive-displacement rotary gear pumps were of the company's own design. Long famous for its high quality machines with their distinctive dual chain final drive, American-La France was the most widely recognised name in the industry. This righthand-drive America LaFrance fire appliance is powered by a 14.5-litre six-cylinder engine driving the rear wheels by a combination of shaft and chain. Not used for many years, the vehicle was purchased by the present owner at Hershey, USA in 1999 with a view to converting it into an old-style charabanc, a project that was not pursued because of insufficient time. Reported as starting, running, driving and stopping well, it is offered in fundamentally sound mechanical condition but in need of restoration, and is sold strictly as viewed. We are advised that import duties have been paid.
Although the American-La France company built a handful of automobiles prior to WWI, its main business was always the building and selling of fire trucks. Based in Elmira, New York, the LaFrance Fire Engine Company was originally famous as a manufacturer of steam-powered fire pumpers, some 500-or-so of which has been sold by 1900. In 1901 the firm merged with the American Fire Engine Company (itself formed by the amalgamation of four smaller enterprises), becoming American LaFrance. Steam-powered appliances continued to be made until 1914, but seven years previously the firm had motorised its first apparatus using four-cylinder T-head engines designed by New York neighbours Simplex. The positive-displacement rotary gear pumps were of the company's own design. Long famous for its high quality machines with their distinctive dual chain final drive, American-La France was the most widely recognised name in the industry. This righthand-drive America LaFrance fire appliance is powered by a 14.5-litre six-cylinder engine driving the rear wheels by a combination of shaft and chain. Not used for many years, the vehicle was purchased by the present owner at Hershey, USA in 1999 with a view to converting it into an old-style charabanc, a project that was not pursued because of insufficient time. Reported as starting, running, driving and stopping well, it is offered in fundamentally sound mechanical condition but in need of restoration, and is sold strictly as viewed. We are advised that import duties have been paid.
Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!
Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.
Create an alert
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
