TAllen Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 I "inherited" an antique fire engine and would like some help identifying the year and possible history. Attached is a photo of the vehicle and the ID Plate. Is somebody on this discussion board a fire engine expert? I know it is a GMC chassis with Van Pelt fire equipment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 1955-56? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAllen Posted June 18, 2021 Author Share Posted June 18, 2021 I was guessing early to mid 50's, so thanks for the confirmation that I am in the right range and appreciate the response! Was hoping that somebody would have website or resource with definitive model information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 My hometown fire truck was GMC when I was a kid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 Can you get any info on where it was in service? That would help with the history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bud Tierney Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 Re' websites---just Google GMC/ Gen Mororstruck forums, several that cover GMC should pop up--there's just old trucks and aths for general truck forums---Google antique fire trucks ans at least a couple should come up for info on the fire equipment....there's a wealth of help omline... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAllen Posted June 18, 2021 Author Share Posted June 18, 2021 (edited) I'm the Director of the ag department at a small community college; this has been stored in our Ag Shop. We needed to move out of that shop before the new shop to be built, so it is currently setting outside. I am reaching people around here for the history, and have searched for GMC/Van Pelt fire truck online but haven't found anything yet. Did find another clue. This plate is on the Fire Body and a person thinks the 51 in the serial number may be the year. I'll be searching for a 1951 GMC Van Pelt and see if I get anything. Edited June 18, 2021 by TAllen (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 The truck front end is confusing, has the mid 1950s front and the early 1950s side opening hood. Could be 1951-52 or something around that. This photo says 1951 in the description. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAllen Posted June 18, 2021 Author Share Posted June 18, 2021 It did go through a restoration process, based on the engine (definitely not original) and paint/chrome, just no idea of how much restoration. Maybe they redid the grill work? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46 woodie Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 You can join, SPAAMFAA, The Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America. Those guy's will know everything about your fire engine. Oh by the way, thank you for calling it what it is, a fire ENGINE and not a fire TRUCK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALF1920 Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 SPAMFAA issues Monthly papers plus quarterly pamphlets. Regional chapters and get-togethers are scheduled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 The larger GMC's can be a bit confusing. Styling sometimes lags a bit compared to the smaller trucks. Not a 1951 GMC. I suspect the first number in the serial number { 6 } is the year , so a 1956 GMC is likely. Perhaps the fire equipment is a few years earlier ? Transferred from an older truck ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAllen Posted June 18, 2021 Author Share Posted June 18, 2021 All great information! Thank you, 1912Staver for the suggestion of a fire equipment retrofit! The Foundation Office is trying to track down when and how we got it. I may have to present to the Board of Trustees with a recommendation, so joining the SPAAMFAA would be valuable at that point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3macboys Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 (edited) Here's a short YouTube of a 56 GMC with the same style front end And here's a brief history on Van Pelt - some interesting facts there https://fire.fandom.com/wiki/P.E._Van_Pelt_Inc. Edited June 18, 2021 by 3macboys (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALF1920 Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 I belonged to a volunteer fire department that had a 1956 GMC. When manufactured, GMC was on strike and an Oldsmobile engine was put in. There was no heater in the cab. Shifting was so clean, that no double clutching was needed. The fire engine manufacturer is no longer in business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lalautze Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 (edited) I have attached a picture with information that is this truck. Taken from page 55 of "Van Pelt Fire Apparatus, 1925-1987 Photo Archive" by Chuck Madderom. If someone knows how to rotate the picture that would be great... Edited June 21, 2021 by lalautze (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3macboys Posted June 21, 2021 Share Posted June 21, 2021 (edited) Edited June 21, 2021 by 3macboys (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAllen Posted June 21, 2021 Author Share Posted June 21, 2021 That looks like it! Taken from about the same angle: Some of the fire equipment looks slightly different, but this is extremely helpful for its history. The District Office is now looking into who actually owns it. Thank you lalautze, macboy and all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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