Newbie on the Olympic Peninsula of WA

[snappydon]

Hi all,

Finally found a forum that I can surf to learn about my newest acquisition.

I just acquired a 37 Ford fire truck. I know very little about the older Fords but have all the desire to learn.

This truck has spent virtually all of it's life inside and only has 47,000 miles on it. Non running at the moment but it appears to be all there. Virtually NO rust in the cab or body. Looks to be a 157" wheelbase or close.

The last pic showing the firewall appears to be an OD Green originally...were any of these trucks US Army?

Any input would be great!

Thanks!

Don

[deuce_roadster]

Hey, I live down by the Little Creek Casino! There are 2 members in our Early Ford V8 Club Regional Group that have fire trucks. I have several flatheads and can help with some issues. I see yours has a later 24 stud engine. PM me and we should get together.
Your truck looks SUPER!

[GB SISSON]

And I'm on Orcas Island. I just sold the sister to your truck last spring. I still have a bunch of old ford trucks though. Glad to have another member in Washington and at some point us Washingtonians should get together in person. Awesome find!

[snappydon]

Little Creek! Duece...That's excellent!

The truck is actually in Brinnon and it will be a few weeks before I can get it out of the barn it is buried in and get it home.

So glad that there is someone close that has knowledge of these old workhorses.

I'll pm you when I'm closer to having it in my yard.

GB...I'll be hitting you up too...I'm a Ford guy to the core and am always eager to learn from those in the know.

Thanks guys!

[41panelmark]

That is very nice, welcome! Large trucks are fun too.

[Newc]

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Nice truck! A Portland area V8 er [rg#10] has a running brother to it, and the trk was displayed at the Western National at Redmond Or. Newc in Oregon

[deuce_roadster]

snappydon, Besides my cars I am also working on a 40 COE flatbed. Not a concourse truck but has later flathead. If you are ever coming down my way let me know and you can stop by. If you click on my avatar and go to my albums you can see some of my other early Fords. (I come up to Whitney's in Brinnon a few times a year)

[waterboychuck]

Cool truck. I hope that you get many fun hours working and driving it.

[Mike in AZ]

looks like you're going to have lots of fun....and help to do it, too....lol.....great project....and have fun.....Mike

[Fourdy]

I'm in Port Townsend with a '40 and a '24 coupe. It would be great totry to meet up some time.

Fourdy

[expavr]

Originally Posted by Fourdy

I'm in Port Townsend with a '40 and a '24 coupe. It would be great totry to meet up some time.

Fourdy

Food for thought. I drove my truck to this show in Shelton this summer. http://sheltonguide.com/mason-county...y-car-show.htm
There was a good mix of cars/trucks and the homemade pie/ice cream was great..!! There are plenty of other events in the West Sound/Olympic Peninsula area that we could have a Fordbarn get together.

[jimalabam]

Welcome. Although I am opposite the country from you, my local FD has an original '37 still in a station and used for parades etc. It is like new condition. If you wish, I will get photos for you. advise @ [email protected] GOOD LUCK with your project...

[snappydon]

Wow! I really appreciate all the responses guys! I was able to snap a few more pics today. So I'll put up a few more.

Does anyone think this is possible an Ex U.S. Army truck? With the fire gear added later? The OD green paint on the firewall has me curious. And are the big rounded rear fenders normal?

[deuce_roadster]

That looks to me like it could be a locally assembled tanker/pumper rather then a commercially produced one but parts of it look right, like the hand rails. Those wide rear fenders seem odd, most fire trucks don't have separate fenders, instead the rear body creates the wheel well opening. I will send an email to a club member that has big trucks including a fire truck and have him take a look at your photos.

[V8COOPMAN]

I've lived in or near the small community of Humble, Texas for fifty years now........since 1965 (pop. 2,123) when there were only 64 kids in my senior class. This '37 fire truck was one of the two working fire trucks back then. Humble has exploded many years ago population-wise, and the fire apparatus and facilities are now ultra-modern, but the old '37 is still kept pristine and participates in at least two local parades every year. Note the rear fenders. DD

[deuce_roadster]

Nice photos V8coopman. I was suspicious of the large rear fenders but see on that open cab truck they are bolted on not built in so I guess they could be stock on that closed cab truck snappydon has.

[snappydon]

Yeah nice truck! The ones on mine seem to be flared and sweeping, a lot like the front are. I'm gonna need to get it out of its captive spot and really get a good look at how it is all assembled.

I've tried to google any info i can get on the Twin Coach power and pumper unit but can't find much info...and nothing that matches.

[Bored&Stroked]

Welcome on board - this is a GREAT site . . . lots of knowledgeable people and most willing to help and share with others.

[deuce_roadster]

I heard from one of my club members who has a fire truck and he said if you can find any id on the pump it will help identify who built it. There is quite an extensive list of companies Ford authorized to build these things. Ford supplied a cab on a chassis and then it was turned into a fire truck so it isn't too unusual for the firewall to be a different color.
Are those pictures in your garage or where you picked it up?

[snappydon]

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

I heard from one of my club members who has a fire truck and he said if you can find any id on the pump it will help identify who built it. There is quite an extensive list of companies Ford authorized to build these things. Ford supplied a cab on a chassis and then it was turned into a fire truck so it isn't too unusual for the firewall to be a different color.
Are those pictures in your garage or where you picked it up?

Du'oh! Thought I had 1 posted...

This is a pic of a pic but it's not to bad.

The tag says

Twin Coach
Pumper Unit
Property of U.S. Government OCD
MFRs. Serial number OCD
253359 T-16893
Pumper unit weight
1215 lbs 2-25-43

I've been told that OCD...stands for Office Of Civil Defense

The truck has a dark blue paint under the red but over the OD green, on several spots on the cab and doors.