1926 Ford Model T Fire Truck
THF87723 / 1926 Ford Model T Fire Truck
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Artifact Overview
The versatile Model T could be modified for firefighting. Affordable T-based fire trucks were popular for small towns with modest budgets. This 1926 truck, adapted by American LaFrance, served Milan, Michigan, for 12 years. Henry Ford saw the truck in Milan, requested it for his museum, and gave the community a new 1938 truck in trade for it.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Fire engine
Date Made
1926
Place of Creation
Creator Notes
Model T made by Ford Motor Company; customized into fire engine by American LaFrance.
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
38.337.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Metal
Steel (Alloy)
Wood (Plant material)
Leather
Gold leaf
Color
Red
Black (Color)
Gold (Color)
Dimensions
Height: 7.6 ft
Width: 5.5 ft
Length: 16.1 ft
Inscriptions
Sides of truck marked in gold: MILAN FIRE DEPT.
Sides of seat marked : MILAN / VOL. FIRE DEPT. / (followed by list of names of officers.)
Plate on dash marked: AMERICAN-LA FRANCE FIRE ENGINE CO. / CHICAGO, ILL.
Chemical tanks: AMERICAN-LA FRANCE FIRE ENGINE CO. INC. / ELMIRA, N.Y.
Hood marked twice: M.F.D.
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