The Gallery
 

1971 GMC 6500 Fire Truck


[an error occurred while processing this directive]

[an error occurred while processing this directive]


[an error occurred while processing this directive]
 

 

Owned by Bill & Wayne Alderson
"KCCaveman"
Bolter # 21909
Missouri


 
01 September 2009
# 2660

From Bill :

This is our 1971 GMC 6500 Fire Truck with a 427 V8. It is equipped with a Sanford pumper body.

This truck was purchased new in 1971 by the Fishing River Volunteer Fire Department of Lawson, Missouri. It was in service until October 2004, when we bought it.

I had an underground storage facility in Kansas City where I stored a lot of things. The Fishing River Volunteer Fire Department did our fire protection for the facility. They asked if I might have a place to store a truck that they were going to take out of service. I told them they could have free storage for the truck.

I wasn't there when they brought the truck in. When I saw it though, I wanted it!

I started my business with that style truck. (Been at the shop, working in the caves for 35 years.) So, I've always had a love for that cab style. I called the President of the Fire Association and told them that I was interested in the truck. He said normally they take bids and told me I could submit an offer. Needless to say, I got the truck!

The truck came complete with everything on it except the axes (they wanted to keep those from some reason). It has the stretcher, hoses, radio, sire, loud speakers, hoses, nozzles ... everything!

Independence MO had a memorial parade fire fighters who were killed on 9/11/2001. We took that truck for the parade and participated in the ceremony. The truck made the front page of the paper. I certainly didn't expect that.

I use the truck as a pumper around our place for watering.

I took this truck to the All Truck Nationals one year and they staged it on a mound of dirt with American flags all around. (John says he remembers that and spent a long time looking at it ... it was impressive.) We'll take her up again this year.

I have always loved Chevy trucks. My first one was a '49 3800 1-ton ...that's another story ...
 
Bill & Wayne Alderson

 

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

-30-


[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]