American La France
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Automobilhersteller : |
American |
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Modell: |
La France |
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Jahr: |
1916 |
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Art: |
Speedster |
Est. 100 bhp, 855 cu. in. T-head inline six-cylinder engine, three-speed manual transmission, and chain-drive rear axle. Wheelbase: 117 in.
The American LaFrance Fire Engine Company was one of the oldest fire apparatus manufacturers in America. With roots that go back to approximately 1832, the companies that went on to become American LaFrance built hand-drawn, horse-drawn, and steam-powered fire engines. Founded in 1873 by Truckson LaFrance and his partners, including Alexander S. Diven as the LaFrance Manufacturing Company selling hand powered equipment. The International Fire Engine Company, corporate predecessor of American LaFrance, built some steam power fire engines between 1903-1907. Apparatus built by International included horse drawn steamers, hose wagons, and hook & ladders to chemical engines, water towers and combinations. The American LaFrance Fire Engine Company was formed in 1903. Its corporate offices and manufacturing plant were in Elmira, New York. It also operated a Canadian plant in Toronto, Ontario, where it sold apparatus under the name Lafrance-Foamite, until 1971. ALF delivered its first motorized fire engine in 1907. Over the years, American LaFrance built thousands of fire trucks including chemical engines, combination pumpers, aerial ladder trucks, Aero Chief snorkel trucks, and airport crash trucks. The classical style of the American LaFrance apparatus is easily recognized. Some of the company's innovations led to changes in the industry, most notably the cab forward style cab. The company has recently undergone a major rebirth and is once again producing custom fire trucks and other emergency vehicles.
The American LaFrance Fire Engine Company, which was known primarily for their fabulous fire trucks, made an unknown quantity of road vehicles for a short period before World War I. At no time did the famous Elmira, New York, firm envision readjusting its priorities to road cars, but the ones that were built were all done to order and regarded as “mighty fast.”
This unique Speedster is powered by a massive T-head, six-cylinder engine, which is mated to a three-speed manual transmission and impressive chain-drive gearing. It was built from a 1916 American LaFrance fire truck and is nicely finished in cream with tasteful red pinstripes, which match the red chassis and undercarriage. The cockpit area, which has right-hand drive, features beautifully tufted individual seating in brown leather and a beautifully finished wood dashboard. Along with the wooden-spoke wheels, this car features dual rear-mounted spares, an imposing header side-pipe exhaust, strategically placed grab handles, a monocle windscreen, a moto-meter, a side-mounted toolbox, plated headlights, a steering column, and a radiator shell, as well as a nicely detailed cylindrical fuel tank with a painted family crest.
