1923 american lafrance type 89 pumper
This American LaFrance Type 89 pumper was purchased new by the FVFD in 1923, and was the fire motor vehicle pumper Ferndale owned. It served until 1951, when it was replaced by the Van Pelt engine.
Specs:
Pump Capacity: 450 GPM
Cost: $7500*
*See 1923 History for full details of the purchase history of this and the 1923 Chemical Truck
We have the original American LaFrance Proposal which does list the engine as a Type 89. We’ve included scans of some of the backs of the pages where there was a lot of number scratching going on, some of which are some rather large numbers that don’t appear related to price.
The 1923 American LaFrance Catalog doesn’t show the Type 89 engine, although there are several similar models.
The restoration of the 1923 was performed by FVFD volunteers, starting in March 1983 and finishing in 1985. A total of 773 hours went into the restoration. We’d like to thank the following individuals for helping preserve this wonderful fire engine for everyone in Ferndale to enjoy: Dean Petersen, Susan Petersen, Jerry Lema, Ken Laloli, Tim Cooney, Jerry Austin, Mark Denunes, Wayne Ambrosini, Jeff McDonald, Paul Sauer, Warren Longnickle, Brian Newman, Lee Tomasini, Jim Grinsell, Kevin Frey, Bill Becker, George Nicholson, Pam Lema, Wally Neibel, Larry Lema, and Tom Lema.
Dean Petersen provided the following costs for restoration:
Engine Work
Clutch Work
Tires & Tubes
Chrome Plating
Running Board Plates
Strip Ladders
Strip Wheels
Gold Leaf
Re-chrome Nozzles
Lantern
Upholster Seat
Total
$2,700
$300
$650
$3,000
$173
$50
$100
$1,400
$100
$400
$100
$8,973
The engine was painted by Jerry Lema, using Rinished Mason Red Lacquer LZ1-R-106 Dezler 71698.