Details About Our Available 1928 Ahrens-Fox Firetruck:
For sale at the St. Louis Car Museum is a 1928 Ahrens-Fox N-S-4 triple combination pumper powered by a 998ci T-Head 6-cylinder Super Power engine with dual exhaust valves producing 110 horsepower. It retains its Register No. 3321 identification body tags and was rated with a 1000 gpm flow rate when in use. For extra starting reliability in all conditions, the factory electrical system consists of a Delco Magneto and Bosch distributor. It also features traditional right-hand-drive controls, a 3-speed manual transmission, a 40-gallon fuel tank, front and rear solid axles with leaf springs, and mechanical drum brakes.
Apparatus equipment retained on our well-survived N-S-4 includes:
2 extension ladders
Correct Ryan-Lite headlights
Forward-mounted Sterling electric siren
12" chrome hand bell
hose bin and reel
Onboard water/chemical tank
2.5" hose
Under-hood service light + oiling can
2 standard fire extinguishers (Rough-Riders)
2 small extinguishers
2 large diameter hose hook-ups
1 screened pick up
4 spray nozzles
1 spear pick
1 pry bar
Plus additional spare pieces, including period-correct hand tools.
Front-mounted piston pump Ahrens-Fox spherical air chamber.
Our example was placed in service as the very first motorized engine apparatus ever used by the Fairview Fire Department in 1928. The overall patina of FFD Engine No. 1 is outstanding, with much of the original painted filigree details still faintly visible on body panels and controls, along with the original wood dash, gauges, and green linoleum floor coverings. Our vehicle experts at the St. Louis Car Museum replaced the engine oil, cleaned the fuel filter, replaced the original fan belt, & installed a new battery. It continues to start and run wonderfully, providing a robust exhaust note and massive torque! The original fuel tank appears to be in good shape inside, but it now utilizes a smaller, auxiliary fuel cell for operation. We have not made any efforts to utilize the actual pump, but it appears to be all intact, like the rest of the truck. Sold on Bill of Sale. Contact Jon Faust at (314)993-1330 with additional questions or to schedule a test drive.
History about the Ahrens Manufacturing Company:
Horse-drawn steam-powered fire pumpers were the standard firefighting apparatus of the late 19th Century, almost all of them using boiler technology patented by Charles Fox of Cincinnati, Ohio. Chris Ahrens began building fire apparatus in 1870, forming Ahrens Manufacturing Company in 1875. By 1910, he was joined by his son-in-law Charles Fox, and the company had become known as Ahrens-Fox, where they continued to build from their Cincinnati, OH, facility.
In 1919, the company introduced and patented the first modern triple-combination, self-propelled pumper. While other manufacturers used centrifugal or rotary-type pumps, Ahrens-Fox preferred a 4-cylinder piston pump, which was well proven in the field and widely known and accepted by fire departments. Ahrens-Fox, perhaps reflecting Charles Fox's experience as a firefighter in Cincinnati, became known for the high quality of its apparatus. Their last example was delivered in 1952 to Hope Hose Company #1 in Tarrytown, New York.
Contact Jon Faust to learn more about this vintage firetruck or to ask about financing and trading options - (800) 957-5707 info@stlouiscarmuseum.com
