Iron Clad,
I'll offer a different opinion, though Mike B. will probably agree with parts of it.
You'll never get better looks in your stovebolt than you do in a fire truck! Yeah, they're a little bit of a different beast than a pick-up, but that just makes it fun.
In my mind, the fact that the city wants you to agree to sell it back to them and is making you jump through hoops, well . . . yeah, it's a PITA, but it ALSO means that they value the truck. This will likely translate into a lot of support for your restoration, and good will from the town at large. You'd be surprised how supportive the fire department can be, if you get off on the right foot.
Our club had the chance to receive a truck in similar circumstances. The town sent a lawyer-written document with 20 or so "points" that they were demanding, should we receive the truck. Well, we sent it back, saying too many strings attached. We offered them a "buy-it-back" only clause, for the money we had in it, and they went ahead and gave us the truck! They even joined the club for a year.
Then, when interest in the truck within the club flagged, we offered it back to them, they refused, and we sold it to a local, private collector.
I'm of the mind that firetrucks are the most noble of trucks, representing man's service to man, and yes, they do deserve to be saved, moreso than most.
FWIW, I'm glad to help with your potential project!
-Michael
