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Stutz Fire Engine Co. ?


Chase392

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Hey guys,

 

        Anybody know of a good source of info on Stutz firetrucks? I have what I believe is a radiator from one, and possibly a front axle and some seats. Haven't found too many good pictures on the 'net. The front axle and seats will likely end up in my speedster, but since one of my spindles is bad I'd love to know if Stutz made the parts in-house or if it they sourced parts from one of the larger companies.

 

Thanks in advance.

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Usually fire apparatus was built by a company that specialized in fire engines and fire trucks. They purchased a chassis and built the fire vehicle around it. It's possible Stutz did make fire vehicles, but I can't find any proof that they did in the Stutz bio. There was a gentleman in our area that swore Ford made his 1929 fire engine until someone showed him the brass plated attached to his vehicle that named the manufacturer.

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I just found a reference to a Stutz Fire Engine Co. 1919-1928, in one of my fire apparatus books, but it doesn't say if it is associated with the Stutz Automobile Co. I wouldn't think the Stutz Automobile company would let another company use it's name or one similar. It probably was a division of Stutz.

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8 hours ago, keiser31 said:

Photos?

 

Here are some pics of the parts I have:

 

         The striping on the seats is definitely firetruck-esque, but I haven't seen any exact matches.

 

        I'm near 100% certain the radiator is from a Stutz.... just not sure what size truck. I don't have any pics of the other side as it is so heavy its tough to move easily. The emblem is missing.

 

       The Stutz fire trucks I have seen have large, distinctive looking dust caps on the hubs that appear to clamp on. My front hubs appear very similar if not exact.

 

 

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001.JPG

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Take a good look at the construction of that radiator, that's when things were built to last. If you showed the people who built that radiator a modern plastic and aluminum radiator they would laugh at it. Mike, you have enough parts to start a restoration project!

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Mroz's Ency US Trks/Comm'l Veh states Stutz Fire Engine Co, Ind'pls, IN 1919-1940 "...was only related  through Harry Stutz to Stutz Motor Car Co..."...

Quite successful in their day, (Mroz referred to the car co as a "sister" company), Harry Stutz lost control in a 1932 reorganization.

Referred to by Mroz as specializing in Fire Apparatus, there's no listing in my 1919 and 1920 Power Wagon issues, implying they built only Fire equipment.. Using Wisconsin engines until 1926, when it began using its own 175 HP six, the brief thumbnail has no mention of other outside parts sources.

If you're close to a decent pub lib, they may have a copy of Georgano's World Trucks book (the big one, not the little one with just names and adds's) which might have more info. You should also try the fire truck sites; spaamfaa, or something like that, is the only one that comes to mind..oh, there's alfowners, too..many of the members/followers have a variety of equipment

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There was a Stutz fire engine company run by Harry Stutz of Stutz car fame, I believe this was after he lost control of the car company and was ousted from its management. The two companies were completely separate.

 

I know nothing about the Stutz fire engines but do know something about the industry at the time. There is a strong possibility, better than 50% certainly, that Stutz bought axles and other parts from outside suppliers. Every body did, except for the industry giants. The Stutz car was an assembled car using engines from Wisconsin, and transaxles from Stutz' own Ideal company. I don't know who made the chassis and front axle but it was some outside supplier.

Edited by Rusty_OToole (see edit history)
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Not much info on Stutz fire engines on the net. I did find out that for the first few years they used proprietary engines but eventually built their own. And that they made about 100 units a year. These facts reinforce the idea that axles, frames etc. were bought from specialists in those areas, and assembled by Stutz.

 

There are a couple of books on Stutz fire apparatus that might give more details.

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If my memory servers me right, the Lemay family collection has a beautifully restored Stutz fire truck. This is not the museum, which if separate from the family collection. It was one of the last restorations done while Harold was still alive. If I'm wrong I'm sure that someone reading this can verify.

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