Progress ... hanging sheetmetal!!
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,972
Likes: 9,792
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Keith
Thanks for sharing the pics. This history on your truck is always interesting. I hope the hurricane spares you and yours.
Rich, my thoughts and prayers to you and your recovery!!
Bobby
Thanks for sharing the pics. This history on your truck is always interesting. I hope the hurricane spares you and yours.
Rich, my thoughts and prayers to you and your recovery!!
Bobby
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2007
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I went over to the storage facility and put a waterproof tarp over my cover and then I used my old cover to cover everything. If the roof leaks I should be good.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2007
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Thanks Bobby! We got lucky and everything turned out Ok. No damage around the house except for a few missing roof singles and a few trees down in the neighborhood. The truck was fine too. We were only out of power for 24 hours. It was pretty bad in the keys with 25% of the homes destroyed and 60% damaged.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,972
Likes: 9,792
From: Rio Rancho, NM
From watching the TV I'd say you were pretty lucky to come through the storm relatively unscathed. I'm glad to hear that the truck is in good shape... and you and yours are too (and the Buick...LOL)
Bobby
Bobby
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Fleet Mechanic
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WOW! Thanks for posting it John. I knew the Fire Museum donated the last surviving Patrol rig to one of their members and was wondering if he took possession of it. I just called my contact at the Museum and he is going to give me his number. He is a Chicago firefighter. I'm sure he will be interested in viewing my restoration thread on the 51. I'm just glad its in good hands and will be restored. As you can see by the pictures, it needs tons of work! Its in worse shape than mine was although it has a steel framed body so he won't have to deal with wood like I did. Again thanks for letting me know. I keep some updates on it or maybe talk him in to joining the site and starting his own restoration thread. That would be something I'd like to see!
I'm not on facebook so if possible could you post the comments made about it? I'm interested in what people have to say.
I'm not on facebook so if possible could you post the comments made about it? I'm interested in what people have to say.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2007
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I spoke to the new owner Al this afternoon. He is interested in looking over this thread. He really doesn't have the funds to restore the rig and may put it up for sale or a business that he deals with may use it as a display. Not what I wanted to hear but at least he saved it from the scrap heap! He said the motor is toast because someone removed the plugs and left the motor open. If he did keep it, he talked about maybe a small block Chevy motor in it. He mentioned its in very rough shape with the rear bumper nearly rotting off and many patch panels on the body. The body frame is metal unlike mine which was wood. The door are made of wood tho. I'm a little disappointed but I guess not all of the rigs can be saved and restored. We'll see what happens. I'll keep everyone posted thanks.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,972
Likes: 9,792
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Keith,
Don;t be bummed. Perhaps after reading through this thread he'll get fired up about bringing it back to life.
Who knows, maybe even a resto-mod type thing where he uses a different engine trans combo to make it a bit easier to drive and keeps the body fairly stock instead of a true 100% restoration like you did. Either way, I'm glad its saved from the scap heap.
Bobby
Don;t be bummed. Perhaps after reading through this thread he'll get fired up about bringing it back to life.
Who knows, maybe even a resto-mod type thing where he uses a different engine trans combo to make it a bit easier to drive and keeps the body fairly stock instead of a true 100% restoration like you did. Either way, I'm glad its saved from the scap heap.
Bobby
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Fleet Mechanic
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Bobby its hard not be be bummed! I realize it could of been a worse situation but maybe there is a chance ever so slightly, that it may be restored. Al mentioned he may throw a coat of house paint on it and it could be on display at the business. Hopefully, it will be inside or under some cover to prevent more deterioration. I tried talking to the wife about us taking on the restoration and she immediately said forget it 
! My oldest son wants to be a firefighter and has joined a local fire department as a cadet so I mentioned we can each drive our own truck 
That idea was shot down too!! Oh well I tried. I am in the process of retiring after nearly 34 years of service and will probably move to central or northern Florida. I plan on getting a property with a large garage to store the truck. Maybe I can later try and convince the wife to bring the other truck down and just store it. I can sneak out and work on it while she is at work or out shopping 
!
! My oldest son wants to be a firefighter and has joined a local fire department as a cadet so I mentioned we can each drive our own truck That idea was shot down too!! Oh well I tried. I am in the process of retiring after nearly 34 years of service and will probably move to central or northern Florida. I plan on getting a property with a large garage to store the truck. Maybe I can later try and convince the wife to bring the other truck down and just store it. I can sneak out and work on it while she is at work or out shopping !