While American LaFrance’s own chassis were grand and imposing, the unrivaled showpieces of the firehouse, they were always wise enough to offer vehicles that had less prestige but greater value, for smaller municipalities. Among these offerings were the popular conversion of Model Ts to fire truck use, as seen in the 1919 model in the American LaFrance Corporate Collection. Later the firm began offering less costly models that were built in-house but with components produced outside Elmira. The first of these, debuted in 1927, was the Type 91, sold with a 500-gpm pump and one or two chemical tanks. In typical fashion the model evolved over the coming years, with the eventual Type 191 featuring modern left-hand-drive and four-wheel brakes.

Similar to the “assembled” cars produced by many independent manufacturers during the Teens and Twenties, these trucks still used high-quality parts, but mass-manufactured ones shared with other builders. As they were still fitted with American LaFrance’s solidly built body, well-engineered pump, and quality fire-fighting equipment, they offered similar dependability to the fully custom-built models, but at a significant savings. This made them appealing to budget-minded departments whose needs did not necessitate a vast “Senior” 400 Series or similar apparatus.

The Type 191 offered here, registered number L-505, was delivered to the volunteer fire department in the small town of Long Green, Maryland, a Baltimore-area municipality then mostly devoted to agriculture, as a pumper equipped with a 500-gpm rotary pump and a water, rather than chemical, tank. It remained in service until 1956, when the Long Green Volunteer Fire Company ordered a new FWD truck. They offered the Type 191 for sale in the Baltimore Sun that April, noting in sparse, “just-the-facts-ma’am” fashion that it was equipped with “500 gallon pump, 1500 ft. hose, body booster tank. Basic underwriters equipment.”

While part of the American LaFrance Corporate Collection, the truck underwent a full professional restoration by the well-known Enfield Auto Restoration of Connecticut. Performed with the usual attention to detail demanded by its manufacturer, it was refinished in its correct livery, including proper 23k gold leaf decoration, chrome-plated hardware, and complete correct lighting, accessories, and running and tail boards. Finishes throughout are still in very good overall condition; as the truck has remained largely on museum exhibition since its restoration, a mechanical service would be recommended prior to use.

With a very high-quality restoration, performed for its manufacturer; excellent history; and a classic fire truck design in manageable scale, this is an ideal example of its model.