Keith,

My book arrived in todays mail. I haven't had a chance to read any of it yet but just from leafing through it and taking a peek at the pictures I am very impressed. This is a very high quality product.

Thanks again for signing it for me
Bobby

 

Thanks Bobby!! I am sure you will enjoy the book. The most interesting part of the book is the interviews with the former patrolmen. Some of the fires they went to and the things they saw were amazing.

Keith

 

Back to work after Thanksgiving. Finally got a door hung. I have been waiting a long time for this. Started with making the interior door panel, fitted the glass and trim, installing the hinge to the body and then mounted the door.

 

Allright!

Thats a pretty industrial looking door latch mechanism, and the handles aren't the same as the regular 48-52 handles. I wonder what they're from?

I think that all of the woodwork on this truck is amazing.

Keep after it
Bobby

 

Bobby,

Yes they are heavy duty. They are made by Al Hansen of Chicago. The regulators are also his. I was wondering myself about the cranks.

 

This is too cool!! I just decided to google A.L. Hansen Corp and guess what?? They are still in business ... family owned and operated since 1920. Industrial Commercial Vehicle Hardware - About Us

I was wondering where I was going to find replacements for my compartment door T-handles and latches because they got damaged while trying to remove them ... now I know as it looks like they got them from the Hansen company and they still make them.

Bobby, The handles are probably Hansen too. The modern ones they sell do not have the design in them.

 

Do they make the grab handle that you were looking for too? Worth a shot!

 

Moe,

I thought the same thing but no luck they are different. I would be safe to assume they supplied them too.

 

About a month ago I searched the net for info on the builder of my truck. The company is long out of business but was able to get a hold of the grandson of the company. He said the company was in business from 1869-1936. The Depression forced them to close but in 1949 the company was started up again and closed in 1951: The period my truck was built. The grandson said they used to build buggies before motorized vehicles came along. Here is the tag on the side of my truck and some info that was sent to me. ( I am missing the tag for the other side of the truck ... where can I get one replicated?)

 

Looks like it's time to contact A.L. Hansen like you did with the seat manufacturer. Maybe then can do a custom set for you.

Try A.G. Backeast from Data Tags to see if he can make you one. If not, you can also try Chuck at Chuck's Trucks, LLC. Just curious, is the tag embossed or just has painted letters?

 

PanelMan,

Thanks for the info. The tag is embossed. I will definately contact Hansen and see what happens.

 

If no one can reproduce it for you in metal, you may want to consider casting it in resin or white (pot) metal. It won't be the same, but will be close enough.

 

Emailed the company and no response yet. Hopefully they can replicate it. If they can do it, I hope they won't ask for the original ... I wouldn't want that lost in the mail. I also thought about having a sticker made and putting it over a blank tag.

 

Keith
A chain drive regulator? I've never seen that before. Very cool
And very cool that the hardware manufacturer is still in business.

You might try talking to a local sign shop and show them the body tag, they might have some ideas.

Bobby

 

Bobby,

Definately an old school regulator. Thanks for your suggestion about the sign shop ... I had thought about that.

Keith