Hello and thanks again especially Carl G who helped me figure how to post pics in the galleries. The photo's were taken on Tuesday when the truck arrived. I don't have a lot of photos but will take some more soon expecially interior shots showing the wood frame. I tried to load a pic of the truck taken in the mid-50's but had trouble maybe because the file is too big ... will have the wife look at it later. I have a neat shot of the truck at a hotel fire in 1955 that I will post later. Carl, I live in Ft Lauderdale and you can stop by anytime .... that invitation applies to anyone else who wants to stop by. Keith

 

I was able to add the pic of the truck in the 1950's and a pic of my grandfather next to a 1951 F7 .... Keith

 

Absolutely gorgeous!!!!

that is a fine example of a Chicago fire truck. They sure made them stylish. As I said earlier, the Chicago fire trucks were notable for their stylish designs in the way they extended the cabs and had the rooflines flow back into the bodies of the trucks. It tended to make a big heavy truck look like a sporty coupe.

What a great truck, you are a lucky man
Bobby

 

Thanks Bobby
I can't wait to have it full restored. I plan on doing a little at a time.
Keith

 

Gorgeous! Absolutely Gorgeous!

 

Thanks for posting the photos. Your is certainly one of the more unique trucks on here. Can't wait to see it one day. BTW - My wife and I took a trip to Ft. LAuderdale over Labor Day a couple of years ago to burn up a set of Scare-tran tickets and we really liked it. I'm sure we will be back in the next year or two.

 

CFP

Welcome to a great site. A few of us even have fire trucks.
Mine is 1954 F-750, that strangely enough started out its life some where in FL.
You will like it here. Some real grate guys and gals

JimG

 

Carl look me up when you get in town next year. Thanks again for your help and i am sure i will be asking you and the other good folks on this site some questions about my new ford. I liked your article on the widow-maker wheels .. I had no idea about these problem rims until i called around trying to get tire prices.

Hi Jim ...I like that Fire truck you own. You looked like a very happy man when that truck was delivered to your home. I had the same look when mine was delivered!!! I am in the fire service so i appreciate those vintage rig. Take care

 

Welcome to the forum, what a great looking 51, congratulations I look forward seeing more pictures of it.

 

Welcome, great story, great truck.

Post some more pictures, inside the cab....engine....etc

 

Hi Guys

I just posted some new pics. Most were taken a few years ago. Once the truck is out of the shop ... i will get some more. Thanks again Keith

 

Wow, that's a preservation worth keeping!

 

Hi guys
A little update on the truck. Located some replacement wheels and plan to get rid of my widowmaker rims soon. They are vintage 22.5 8 lug Ford rims ... were expensive but well worth the peace of mind knowing no one can get hurt now. My bodyguy has the rims and is planning to sand blast & paint them soon so I can get them on my truck. I need to look for tires now and am thinking of using retreads since i wont be driving the truck much. Any thoughts on using retreads ? Are they problematic? The truck is still in the shop so I haven't had the chance to drive it yet. I hope to have it out in the next couple of months as a former Fire Insurance Patrolman who drove the truck 50 years ago is comming down to visit and he said he would show me how to drive it LOL. Keith

 

Welcome - And so now you just made a bunch of friends.......

How cool is that ?

E-Dawg-A-Roo

 

Retreads are acceptable and work fine on the rear although no one around here uses them on the front. Possibly they`re too dangerous on the front because of a chance of blow out I think.