Keith,
Take a look at the photo of the truck being backed in and compare it with the truck now. The proportions of the grab rail don't look right to me.
In the old picture it looks like there is quite a bit of grab rail (maybe 12"+) below the lower mounting point.
In the current "bent" picture it looks like there is only maybe 6" of grab rail below the lower mounting point.

What does the end of the rail look like? does it look like its been cut? is it rounded off? plugged?

Bobby

 

Moe, they need to be re-chromed. Guys, I have to agree if it was backed into some damage would of been done to the mounts. Although there was new sheet metal replaced below the rails on each side covering the tail lights which were moved to the rear tailboard. When the Lombard Fire Department bought it in 1960 they added a front mounted pump and ladder and probably some hoses which would give them a reason to bend the rail ends.

 

Bobby, I see what you mean about the longer rails. Both ends are rounded. I am not sure if they were cut ... I will have to look at them closely.

 

My money is leaning towards it being an intentional modification that the Lombard fire department did when they did the other modifications.

Interesting little details. Its pretty cool, and imagine quite helpful, to have pictures of the truck in service back in the day.

Bobby

 

That thing is looking AWESOME!!! Keep up the good work. As for the rails, go with whatever way YOU want it. I'll agree that if chrimed, it's possible that the plating may look distorted because of the way the tube is stretched/smashed. I'd probably put it back straight as it won't be likele that you'll be draggin hoses, or other materials out fo the back to a real fire... So you shouldn't have to worry about a snag factor, if there even is one.

 

Thanks for your input guys. I am leaning towards having them repaired and looking like it was originally .

 

Excellent choice

 

Its block sanding time!! We have her all primed!! Monday morning the fun starts. By the way I dropped the rails off to be fixed in their original configuration.

 

Wow that is looking great... I hope you have your whole station helping sand on her on their days off as that is one large body....

 

Wow! That is fantastic. You have to be very excited. You have made some serious progress.

 

Just wait until you get it back from paint. Then the real fun will begin!

 

Thanks guys!! Its just me and Gerald who get to do all the fun sanding. No volunteers at the fire house yet! We will be at it pretty much full time this week. I am really excited now thats for sure. A few pages back of this thread I mentioned my up coming book about the truck. I am trying to trace the 60 year truck history. Well, I spoke to a previous owner yesterday and he filled in some blanks about the history of the truck. Here is what I know:

1951 - late 1959 Chicago Fire Patrol
1960 - 81 Lombard IL Fire Dept
81- 95 ???
95 - 96 (From yesterdays conversation) Bought by RCM Enterprises (snow plow business & auto restorations) at the Lake County IL Auction for $3000. He said he kept for a year. No much was done to the truck except putting $500 in the motor to try and get it working.
96 -98 Braun Entertainment (out of business) bought it for $2500 - Used for kids parties
98 - 2007 Fire Museum of Greater Chicago - found in the trader times Magazine for sale. It was bought for $400
2007 - present (ME) bought for $800

I plan to contact the Auction company to see if anyone remembers the old gal.

Maybe I should of been a detective instead of a fireman LOL!!

 

I haven't commented much, but talk about some serious dedication...WOW!
where do you get your energy? Nice progress!

 

He's a fireman. He has a lot of stamina and patience.

 

Jeff when I put an effort into something I am relentless!! Sometimes I wonder how I do myself. I have been averaging 50+ hours a week at the firehouse and spending time with my 2 boys under 10 plus maintaining a home etc ... its exhausting. But at least the project is nearing the end which makes my wife very happy!! I can't wait to start using it in some local parades. The next one is Feb 25th ... hope to make it.