CHEVROLET DARLEY PUMPER FIRE TRUCK (1944)
Sale price: US $13,500.00
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For sale is a rare and very original civilian fire truck that was authorized by Washington D.C. in 1944 and placed into service in Rice Lake, Wisconsin in March 1945. The unit is a Chevrolet 1-1/2 ton with a Darley 500 gallon Two Stage Champion Centrifugal Pumper Model S-500. The unit remained in Rice Lake until 1968, then still showing the Rice Lake lettering on the hood, did service for the Village of Merrillan, Wisconsin for a period of time, finally after changing hands through a number of collectors ended up in Battle Creek, Michigan. It was then purchased by a Chevrolet enthusiast in 1996 and driven to Houston, Texas.
The unit comes with full documentation including War Production Board application and approval along with correspondence illustrating the difficulty of obtaining any equipment during wartime that was not for military use. Also included are the Darley Repair Service Instructions, pump drawings, equipment specifications, Champion pump operating instructions and the unit"s final test for the National Board of Fire Underwriters. The final invoice from Darley is a three page detailed description of every single item furnished with the complete unit.
The chassis Serial Number is shown to be 9MS46 7440, with a motor number (VIN) of BG654692. Records indicate that the chassis was built at the General Motors Norwood, Ohio Plant in October 1944, and for GM would be considered to be a 1945 Model Year even though the vehicle has always been registered as a 1944 Model. The Chevrolet engine is a 6 cylinder, 235 cubic inch, 93 HP and sits in the 160-inch wheelbase 4400 series chassis.
Current condition of the unit is surface rust on all exposed painted surfaces, but no rusted out areas or other damage. Appears to have had a couple of minor dents repaired on the right front fender. The original paint on the Chevy trucks exterior was probably Brewster Green with a grey interior, with the exterior being repainted red when Darley installed the pump equipment. The interior is very good as shown, accessory fire equipment is deteriorated as shown but with hose reel, siren, lights, etc. very complete. Tires are good and the engine, transmission and pump are believed to be in very good condition as the unit was participating in parades in the 90"s prior to being put in storage.
| Condition: | Used | Year: | 1944 |
| VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): | BG654692 | Mileage: | 13,620 |
| Engine Make: | Chevrolet | Make: | CHEVROLET |
| Engine Horsepower: | 93 | Model: | DARLEY PUMPER FIRE TRUCK |
| Fuel Type: | Gasoline | Type: | Fire Truck |
| For Sale By: | Private Seller | Class: | Class 2 (6,001-10,000 lbs.) |
| Transmission Type: | Manual | Tire Size: | 20" |
| Number of Axles: | 2 |
