American LaFrance’s first gasoline-powered fire truck, the Type 5 debuted in 1910, after eight years of development by the typically cautious and thorough manufacturer. It featured a gargantuan T-head four-cylinder engine of 5-by-6-inch stroke and total displacement of 575 cubic inches, a design which would influence the powerplants of the company’s trucks well into the Twenties, delivering 70 horsepower through dual chain drives to a three-speed transaxle. While for the time being American LaFrance continued to also build its traditional steam engines, fire companies and municipalities responded well to the new model, buying some 48 of the costly Type 5 before it was replaced by the evolved Type 10.

The Type 5 offered here was originally delivered to Liberty Fire Company No. 5 of Reading, Pennsylvania, a volunteer company originally funded by some of the area’s wealthiest, most prominent citizens. The company’s historic Victorian firehouse still stands in Reading and houses the Reading Area Firefighters Museum. Befitting “Liberty No. 5’s” deep coffers, their American LaFrance was specially finished in white and was unusually ornate for the time period, including especially dramatic 23k gold leaf decoration with scroll work not just on the body but also the fenders, rear-mounted parade torches, unique cowl lights, and dual nickel-plated copper soda ash chemical tanks, as well as a statue of Liberty atop the bell!

In a common refrain among firemen of the era, Liberty No. 5’s company was extraordinarily faithful to the Type 5—and to its builder. When it came time to acquire a new apparatus in 1931, Reading’s city council was primed to order a less costly Mack, but the firemen would have none of it, protesting vociferously and issuing a statement to “the citizens of Reading.” “We have had two pumpers over a period of 50 years, namely a Silsby engine purchased in 1881 and our present pumper purchased in 1913 [sic]. Both were LaFrance machines and [proved] their quality and durability.” An offer was even made to pay the $1,000 difference between an American LaFrance and a Mack out of the firemen’s own pockets. Eventually all parties came to an agreement…and Liberty No. 5 received a new American LaFrance.

The Type 5 continued to remain in service, likely as an auxiliary apparatus, until its final retirement by the city of Reading on Christmas Eve of 1937. Tucked away in storage at the Oakbrook Garage, it was still fondly looked after by some of its keepers. In 1938, Charles H. Hiester of Reading joined the Antique Automobile Club of America—then only three years old—and arranged for the truck to enter the organization’s founding event, the Antique Automobile Derby in Philadelphia, something that necessitated an exemption being made to a “pre-1910” rule for entrants. It was entered in Mr. Hiester’s name but apparently was still in the hands of Liberty No. 5 men. Irvin Rathman, a fireman for over 30 years, was selected for the 60-mile drive to Philadelphia. He was the best choice, as he had been the company’s driver for most of that time, but this may have also been a well-earned reward for once being bitten by his beast. In 1925 he had broken his wrist attempting to crank-start the recalcitrant truck on the Bingaman Street bridge.

With its faithful chauffeur at the wheel, the Type 5 departed from outside the Reading Automobile Club office at 8:30 A.M., and upon arriving in Philadelphia received a silver cup for “best all-around performance.” That was likely no surprise to Mr. Rathman; a news article recounted that the truck had once made “a record run of 33 minutes to Bernville over the unimproved roads.” (Modern GPS maps indicate that Reading-to-Bernville in a modern automobile on today’s roads takes only ten fewer minutes; this was an impressive feat!)

Liberty No. 5’s apparatus apparently remained under Mr. Hiester’s care for many years, as it was listed in his care in the AACA’s 1954, 1957, and 1961 rosters.

In the later ownership of the American LaFrance Corporate Collection, the Type 5 underwent an extensive professional restoration by the noted Ken Soderbeck of Hand in Hand Restorations. It is finished in its original livery and trim throughout, with correct nickel plating, dashboard gauges, and accessories, and shows excellent attention to detail as typical of a Soderbeck restoration. Mr. Soderbeck’s attention to detail extended to correct striping even on the frame, as was ordered in lieu of the usual gold leafing. Since completion the apparatus has been largely museum-displayed, and thus while its cosmetic aspects are well-preserved, it will require mechanical service, in particular to its radiator, prior to use.

This is an especially lavishly equipped American LaFrance, with an excellent restoration capturing its heritage with a notably historic Eastern fire company.