History:  In the spring of 1996 I learned that a 50s style firetruck was going to be sold by a small village in the midwest.  I'd admired that truck for years, especially drawn to the rounded 50s body style.  Long story short, I outbid the competition.  That night I pulled into my driveway with the spotlights going, the red light flashing, the horn honking and the siren blaring. Imagine the looks on my 15 and 13 year old sons faces as they sprang to the door to see what was up!   Leaving the firehouse after signing the paperwork was my first great memory with our new old '54.  Then the drive home, then my sons' faces.  Then there were the practical jokes on friends for their birthdays, the bonfires where high schoolers set up a disk jockey table atop the truck, shining spotlights on the dancers, flashing the red light, etc.      

Condition:  Fast forward from 1996 to today, 2008.  Those young sons are long gone from our house, one with children of his own.  The mechanic that I relied on over the years to fix minor things on the truck went out of business several years ago.  Those two things, coupled with the fact that I am not mechanically inclined myself, lead me to the sad decision to put our firetruck up for auction for the next owner.  Sadly, the years have taken a toll on the firetruck.  It still starts and runs, but could use the tender loving care of a new owner with mechanical skills. 

Mechanically:  On the PLUS side: The truck has less than 6,000 miles on the odometer, and it still 'fires up' - that is the engine runs fine.  Three of the 4 spotlights work (presume a short in the wiring of the 4th).   Put a new battery in it a month ago. To  my knowledge, it's never been in an accident.  On the MINUS side: One of the two bulbs in the red light has presumably burned out (the other still spins and shines).   Brake fluid needs to be added regularly.  The firetruck has been stored in a corn crib & not driven for several years.   When I fired it up to take pics for this ad, noticed that a 'freeze plug' or 'expansion plate' or whatever you call it had come out.  I've put an expandable replacement in, started up the truck and let it warm up and it appears fine.  Having previously mentioned my lack of mechanical skills I'm hopeful that repaired the problem.  At that same time I noticed that for the first time since I've owned the truck, the siren didn't respond. 

Pick up and payment:  At the conclusion of the auction, I will need to be contacted by the auction winner through my ebay email within 24 hours and the truck will need to be paid for at the time of pick up (cash only), within 72 hours after the end of the auction.  The title is free and clear and I will supply that with the truck key.  

 Happy bidding - You need this truck.  BE THE ENVY OF ALL YOUR FRIENDS!