BF Auction: 1941 Chevrolet Fire Pumper
There would be millions of people in the world who harbored childhood dreams of becoming a firefighter, but fate decreed that wouldn’t happen. The passion doesn’t die in the hearts of many, and they look longingly every time a firefighting appliance passes them by. If you have those feelings, all is not lost. This 1941 Chevrolet Fire Pumper is a stunning survivor that is fully operational. It presents exceptionally well for its age, and its only pressing need is a new home. Therefore, its owner has listed it exclusively with us at Barn Finds Auctions.
Experience tells me that firefighting appliances are almost invariably beautifully presented. This is a deliberate act by Fire Departments to instill confidence in the community. These vehicles are the public “face” of firefighting, and brigades ensure they always make a positive and professional impression. This old soldiered is based upon Chevrolet’s WB Truck platform, and its presentation is hard to fault. Its dazzling Red paint shines beautifully, having aged gracefully as a survivor. The contrasting handpainted Gold pinstripes and graphics are excellent, with no evidence of wear or deterioration. The color-matched wheels are spotless, while the trim has the mellow look of aged chrome. The glass is immaculate, and occupants will welcome the crank-out windshield on warm days. It is a rock-solid vehicle with no rust or other structural issues. This Truck features all of its original firefighting apparatus, including the tank, pump, hoses, ladder, and a PTO. These are in excellent order, and if the vehicle doesn’t attract attention with its stunning good looks, hitting the siren and lights will seal the deal.
Powering this survivor is Chevrolet’s 216ci six that produces 90hp and 174 ft/lbs of torque. Power feeds to the road via a four-speed manual transmission. The power and torque figures don’t sound startling, but with both peaking low in the engine’s rev range, this beauty can perform surprisingly well, even with a full load of water. One of the greatest attractions of former firefighting appliances is that they have a history of meticulous maintenance. They must be unquestionably reliable, so Fire Departments don’t cut any corners to ensure this is true. Our feature truck has a genuine 10,659 miles on the clock, which is an unsurprising figure for a classic of this type. They seldom undertake long journeys, with most of their action occurring within a relatively narrow radius of their base. It is in excellent mechanical health and is ready to be driven away by the winning bidder.
This Chevy’s interior presents well for a survivor of this vintage, which is unsurprising considering the odometer reading. The carpet isn’t original, but it will help to reduce mechanical noise in the cab. The seat is free from rips and significant wear, and the painted surfaces only sport a few minor marks. The wheel is in exceptional condition for its age, and there are no signs of missing items. The switches for the functioning lights and sirens are intact, and all this interior needs to complete the illusion is a two-way radio. Sourcing a vintage unit should not be difficult if the winning bidder wishes to pursue that path.
Vintage firefighting appliances don’t appeal to everyone, but that is true for any classic. This one is an incredible survivor, and its overall condition and originality are commendable for a vehicle with over eight decades under its belt. It has been carefully and respectfully preserved and would draw crowds at a show, a Cars & Coffee, or in a parade. It deserves a new owner who will continue to lavish the same care it has obviously received throughout its life, but could you be that person? One thing is sure; If you become its new owner, there’s little chance that your neighbor will park an identical vehicle in their driveway. That must make it worth serious consideration.
- Location: Farmington, Utah
- Mileage: 10,659 Miles
- Engine: 216ci Six
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
- VIN: JEA875804
- Title Status: Clean
Bid On This Auction
Johnkarvouniaris bid $10,250.00 2023-08-11 09:46:45
Tony58 bid $10,000.00 2023-08-09 08:10:10
W T McClure bid $5,400.00 2023-08-08 21:23:11
Sean bid $5,300.00 2023-08-08 17:04:43
RobertBids7777 bid $5,200.00 2023-08-05 00:08:06
Larisa bid $5,100.00 2023-08-04 14:31:44
Cavepeople bid $4,000.00 2023-08-04 10:59:59- RobertBids7777 bid $2,100.00 2023-08-04 09:54:44
Santa Michael bid $2,000.00 2023-08-04 09:45:05- RobertBids7777 bid $1,500.00 2023-08-04 09:12:22
Austin62 bid $1,400.00 2023-08-03 21:09:04
papawg bid $900.00 2023-08-03 17:38:54- Austin62 bid $100.00 2023-08-03 17:12:12
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Comments
Very awesome. Looking truck
Your first paragraph totally sums up this listing. I was a professional Firefighter in a major metropolitan city for 30 years. Because of my enthusiasm for old cars ,friends often ask ,wouldn’t you like an Antique Firetruck? The answer is always NO or Hell NO! WHY? I loved the job , I loved most of my fellow firefighters and I miss all of the firehouse meals. But it is not a job you can do for fun and take it home, in fact you have to learn, how to not to take it home. I understand how cool old fire apparatus can be, but I get my automotive fix in other ways. I like looking but I don’t have to have one.
I spent 30 years in the fire apparatus business. When I was in “outside sales”, I often had a demonstration unit to make sales calls with. These were always unmarked, as they hadn’t been sold yet. I used to have a lot of fun, often while fueling, telling inquisitive people that I owned it as my personal vehicle. Lines like, “Hey- I’ve never gotten a ticket” or “it’s a chick magnet” only enhanced the tale.
Somewhere, there are former members of a high school wrestling team (whose van was next to me at the pumps) still telling that story…
Anybody here from northern IL? This may not interst anyone, but the Dixon IL fire department has a 1928 Dodge firetruck, which my uncle owned for 50 or so. After his passing, I sold the truck to a local collector, who some years later, sold it back to the Dixon fire department, who refurbished it and uses it for parades. Old firetrucks are intriguing, but really have limited use, as in parades or for display in a museum, not exactly a cruzin classic. This old chiv is a nice one though, be interesting to see where the price ends up
I took my girlfriend to a drive-in movie in my 1937 Chevy firetruck and found out why they call it a pumper!
I have had a couple of ’46 chev p u over the years and in refurbishing and buying parts, I noticed ’41-46 chev pickups and larger trucks all had the same grills. This truck grill does not look like a ’41-46!!
At one time, this truck was in Marfa Texas (the only place I know of that has the name Marfa). I really like this one, and really wish I could take it (but money and size of garage forbid it). It seems this one has been around the country a bit for a vehicle that usually doesn’t get that many miles on it.
It is listed as a pumper and there is no mention of how many gallons of water it holds. That makes it a lot less useful as an actual fire engine since you will need either a hydrant or a water source to work it.
Still, if you were/are a fireman I can definitely see this in parades to show the pride in your job.
I own a modern Mark 15 Fire Engine and can attest that there is a lot of complex maintenance to a working rig. At least an older one should be easier to service.
It will be interesting to see what this goes for. Having a pumper on site to charge fire lines could be useful if the price is right.
I do see there is a tank in the bed, so hopefully it can carry some water. It would be very important to watch it in operation. Since it appears to have a draft function, a video of all of its capabilities, including drafting and pumping pressure and GPM in action would bring better bids. If the draft or any other functions don’t work, they are difficult and expensive to fix.
It’s a pumper, not a tanker, and the bed was probably filled with pressure hoses, the suction hoses are on the sides.
The tank you see is for gasoline so the engine could run for a couple days, pumping water if necessary.
The tank in the back looks like a “booster” tank that holds a nominal amount of water to charge the hoses and make a start until a water supply from suction or tankers can be established. Typically 300 to 500 gallons. It wouldn’t be for gasoline. Also i noticed the pump is a two stage, relatively rare for that size pumper. The pump would be about 500 gpm so maybe 250 gpm for pressure at about 250 psig pressure or 500 gpm at 125-150 psig for the volume setting.
Brings back memories. We had one last like it in my department when I joined, only it was a GMC. It had a 500 Darley pump and carried 300 gallons of water. Since we were rural, we also used a tanker for a water supply. It was our first line pumper until 1973, when our brand new 1972 Chevrolet/Darley pumper was delivered. That one held 1000 gallons. Still that old GMC put out a lot of fires, then we used it as a parade truck.
There is a good use for these. Several years ago a local fellow bought one for his marina. He hauls boats out of the river. and then hoses down the hulls
Looks like a 1940 not 41
That is true, it looks like a 40, I have a 46 and 41-46 all had the same grill. I will post mine for sale shortly. Very similar condition.
James
It is 1940 sheet metal up front. I’d feel really bad doing it, but if the price doesn’t go too high this would be a good donor for a regular truck restoration. I have a 38 Chevy wrecker and if this was a 38 the cherry sheet metal and especially grill, instruments and other interior components would be worth the current bid to part out.
In the late 1950s my dad was a technician at a Chrysler Plymouth dealership that also sold and serviced International Harvester trucks and tractors. The building had a big coal furnace and every 3rd Sunday it was his turn to go stoke the furnace. It was a very small town with only a one stall fire house. The second fire truck, a 33 Reo Speedwagon open cab was stored in a stall in the dealerships service department. I would beg to go along on those Sundays so I could play on the fire truck (and get my hands dirty so I could wash them using the Go-Jo dispenser because the Go-Jo smelled so good)!
It would be a real shame to part this out, as it seems in such nice shape.
While it is true that fire trucks “seldom undertake long journeys”, bidders must keep in mind that, as a “pumper” it may travel only a short distance to the scene of the fire, but it often sits at this site for hours with the engine running to provide pumped water to fire fighters. I was the proud owner of a pumper Seagraves fire truck built on a 1937 Chevy 1.5 ton frame and running gear. I drove it to college, and it was a blast!
I love the image of a flaming firehouse red pumper. Matches my hair and passion in one glimpse!
1940 truck
Can anyone clear up the grille issue? All of the other ’41 fire trucks Ive seen have what appears to be a two piece grille. This looks like an earlier one piece or segmented grille….circa 1937?
What say the knowledgeable folks?
I meant “two piece or segmented” grille not what I typed ” earlier one piece or segmented”
Would love to purchase this truck to have for parades and general cruise around on occasion, this vehicle needs to be left alone and leave as is and hand it down thru my family for future car shows and so forth
Tony58
A 1941 Chevy firetruck almost identical to this one saved everything I owned from a 200,000 acre wildfire in 2005. A customer of mine brought it down to the yard and while the hotshots were elsewhere the fire jumped the road to my side and he was able to put it right out with his firetruck. End of fire right there.
For some one living outside of a fire district or off grid this old truck would be a huge asset to have ready. I hope it finds a second life on a ranch somewhere still doing fire duty.