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Congratulations Bill, I can only imagine how proud you are. Its been a drawn out deal but I'm sure it is worth the wait!!!

Thanks....It is so cool!!!! I'm up early just to have some coffee and breakfast then off to pick up the truck for a ride. There is a local car show this weekend that I've been invited to attend: http://www.vafallclassic.org and I hope to beable to take the truck. I want to put a few miles on the truck to see if there are any bugs to be addressed, I figure after three years apart, there has to be something that I need to tighten up or figure out. So far so good...

Update: FINISHED!!!!! But not really... I finished with all the stuff but as soon as I thought I was done, it wouldn't start. So I put the meter on it and found the almeter wasn't putting out more than eight amps. So replaced the altmeter and jump started the fire truck. So now it is back in the firehouse on a battery charger.

I have to love this stuff or it will drive you nuts... I do love it! Anyway here are eighteen new pictures from this morning: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2182860950080243953bPztYZ

Looking superb VFT! Congratulations! You do know that you'll be working on this for the rest of you life.......

Thanks and I agree :-)

FYI: I put 100 miles on the firetruck and changed the oil and filter. I also got the truck up to 55MPH on the interstate for a short period of time. It is hard around here on the local streets to get it up over 30MPH. It was fun but I wouldn't sugest winding up up that tight very often.

We have had our truck up to 60 on the interstate and that is pushing it. We were following a couple newer trucks. A lot of viberation and noise at that speed. If we are traveling far I guess we will just have to leave earlier!

Congrats Bill! Hope I get to see your truck in person some day. Maybe in Winchester next year?
You've really done a great job, with the truck, the photo album and through the engine problem nightmare too. Thanks for taking us along for the ride.
Bill

There seemed to be alot of noise at 55 but mostly because the motor only has 100 miles on it, I didn't want to rev it up to much. I think the joy in driving it will be a slow 45 mph drive with lots of scenery along the way. I hope to bring the truck to Winchester next year during Apple Blossom but my daughter graduates from Radford College on May 3rd 2008. My wife and daughter insist I attend graduation. I might bring the truck to Winchester for the Friday night firetruck parade and leave after it to drive to Radford to be there for my daughter. Frankly I'd like to leave the firetruck in Winchester and come back for it after graduation. We'll have to see how it works out. I've already taken the days off work for that week in May but as most of us know dealing with daughters and wives, it can change at any moment!

FYI: I've ben working on putting in a new headliner as I had a water leak in my roof where the siren wires came thru the roof. It got a little wet and I had creased it when I put in the first headliner. So the work goes on with the firetruck but now it seems I get to drive it most everyday. Anyway, I'm still reading posts and trying to improve the little details on this truck. I love this thing! Take care and I'll talk with you later. Thanks again.

Bill

Update: I'm finally getting the firetruck out!!! In the morning, I'm taking the firetruck to Atlantic Avenue as a platform for flag waving local vets in the parade!! I hope to get some pictures. I can't think of a better way to support our local vets on Veterans Day 2007.

I shot a few pictures today and then handed the camera to some folks to shoot pictures: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2711045450080243953QxrJnq Most of thier pics didn't come out as they were out of focus and blurry...

I had fun driving in the parade with the military veteran's riding along. No over heating or any other major issues. I did blow a fuse(20 amp) when I lite up all the red flashing emergency lights AND whaled on the siren for a few minutes. Simple fix as I put in a 30 amp and didn't have any more problems... All in all for my first time out with the firetruck in public, it was really cool! I do want to say thank you to all of you. It was really cool and the old vets really loved the ride and firetruck! Thanks again!!!!

As I watched the local news on TV (this morning), I saw video of my truck in the Veteran's Day parade. Veterans and US Flags looked really neat. I have to say, it was really cool. Maybe all the time spent on this rig was truely worth it!! I wish I could post it for you all to see but I've not been able to download a copy yet...

Questions and two new issues have befallen me and the firetruck. It still runs great but it doesn't cut off properly or have a working speedometer after I worked on it this morning.

So here goes: I now have a problem as the firetruck doesn't shut off when you turn the key off(Note: It used to..:-). This just started today as I installed(tried) to install the two speed rear axle speedometer adapter behind the dash.

So I guess my questions are: what could I have done to stop the switch from working and cutting off the truck like it used too? The wires on the ignition switch look fine...but? And does anyone know how long the speedometer adapter cable part is that fits in between the speedometer and the adapter? It looks like an inch or so but? I cut a end off an old chevy speedometer cable but it seems it isn't long enough. Anybody got one of those apart who could measure it?

Hey Bill, wish I could help you on this problem. Obviously the wire is shorted between the hot wire and the coil. Is the ignition original and perhaps failed? If you havn't found the problem by now I can imagine your battery is dead.
Your truck has some pictures in the recent ODHFS Torchbearer.
Sure looks nice!
Cannonball

Thanks. I've seen the ODHFS news letter. It was a real surprise. Your assesment of those pictures is right on target! It does look great. :-)

As for the electrical, I found the problem... It was a wire that came loose and moved over. It was touching the other post on the ignition switch and bypassing the switch. I must have bumped it while I was installing the speedometer adapter(it still doesn't work) behind the dash.

Anyway, thanks again and take care.

Link to the ODHFS newsletter: http://home.mindspring.com/~newslet/odhfs/TorchPr.pdf

Update: I purchased the firetruck from the TVFD as nobody else seemed to care about it or taking care of it. So while it will remains housed at the firehouse, I am the sole owner and the only one with an ignition key.

You mean that you were not the owner when you did all that work? WOW!! Who paid for it?

I'm glad you own it now. You certainly deserve it!! Enjoy!

I paid for it out of my pocket. I had help in the begining of the project. However once it started to be an everyday mechnical (sanding, greasy & dirty hours with the rig) effort, the others disappeared.

After all you put into it, they should have GIVEN you the truck!!

As I've said before--you did a fantastic job, and certainly deserve to enjoy the fruits of your labors. Best of luck to you!

Thanks. I guess in reality, they did give it to me. I showed them how much I spent and the 3,100 hours I put into it. They handed over the title.

We started this project as part of a fire history museum and that is still underway. I want to leave something for the community to remember the efforts of the past & future firefighters who serve the citizens. Anyway, they get to keep it at the firehouse as part of the museum (as long as one exists) and I get to own and protect my investment.

I really never considered the need to keep folks from taking it home for their kid’s birthday parties or to spray water at their friends…but things happen.

Updated a couple of pictures from over the hoilidays and parades. Also one of my Sons came to visit and play with the firetruck. The kids love that thing! Pictures: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2041985910080243953EQjPsE

I pulled a few brass parts off and have taken them down to the shop to be polished and cleaned up now that it is cold and raining. I don't like to take it out on the salt or rain covered roads. I can't wait for Spring to arrive and more parades to become available.

Update fom 16 Feb 2008: I took a few pictures from a nice drive around the city today.
Link: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2861885790080243953fDlGmZ

I took a couple of brass parts down to be polished. They look great! I put them back on the truck and the brighten up really nice. As I can save a little cash, I'll ake a few more parts down to be rechromed.

Always the $$$ or I'd have three or four...

Bill, will you bring her up here for the Homecoming? Also, will you be in Winchester again this Spring for the Firetruck Parade? I'm hoping mine will be ready for that event.

Congrats,
John

Bill,

That truck is awesome. Great job and I hope to see it someday this year at one of the "get togethers".

Thanks. I can't come to the 2008 May 2nd Winchester Firetruck parade as my only Daughter graduates from college (in Radford, Va) the very next day. I want to bring it to the parade but my wife and family expects my presence with them that weekend and they do not see a firetruck as part of that event. I'd have to agree...

I'll get with you all during the year very soon.

Added lap belts, rope hose suction strainer, pump panel actuator rods and booster reel handles to the firetruck: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2326180300080243953QQFLRj

Update: I added an American Flag for parades and static display plus added ball chain to the caps on both sides of the rig: http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2000774130080243953XDekSs Five new pictures!

I am restoring a 1941 open cab Chevy firetruck that was built by Peter Pirsch and Sons and am having trouble finding pictures to put it back the way it came because it has had several things changed and has been painted 2 times and I need to know if you could tell me where to find any information. Also Your truck is looking good. Thanks and GOD BLESS.

Hi Terry and Welcome. Have you tried the GM archives? Might find something interesting there.

I suggest a Goggle.com search using: 1941 Peter Pirsch Or try these sites:

http://antiquefirebrigade.com/pirscharchive.htm

http://www.spaamfaa.com/adlist.htm

http://www.firebuff.org/antique.htm

http://www.odhfs.org/photos.html

Good Luck!!

FYI: I'm driving the Thalia Fire truck to Richmond on June 7th for the state Fallen Firefighter Service. Starts at 1130. Link: http://www.vafirenews.com/events/2008/2008Program.pdf

Maybe I'll see some of you on the road or maybe those with rigs at the Service. Come by and say hello if you can attend.

like mine it is a commercial truck and it will be difficult to get it like it was unless you happen to see another truck like yours. chevy made the cab and chassis. peter pan added the firebody and supplied the pump to make it a fire truck when it came off peter pans line. depending on whos pump it is hale,waterous,darley you may be able to get info on the pump.

what exactly are you looking to do? pm me and i might be able to help.

VF I think that you and your truck will do our fallen brethren proud and can’t think of a better way to honor them thanks and prayers from the west coast and PCFD 6, 15, 17, and 21 have a good safe trip and thank you for you efforts and support of our fallen hero’s

Thanks. It was a very moving memorial service. Here are a few pictures of the rigs: http://news.webshots.com/album/563722716juYsLP

It was 100 degrees today and the heat took a toll on the old firefighters and their rigs. I heard several reports of rigs over heating enroute to the service. I had a safe trip even if a few things fell off my rig on the way home. I backtracked but no luck finding the parts. However no complaints as my losing a few parts is nothing compared to what the fallen brothers families have experienced.

More pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/odhfs/sets/72157605492263883/

You are not going to believe this story: After days of trying to figure out what to do about lost parts, I figured I'd go on a long walk... I was hunting for my lost parts. Mostly for the polished brass 4" pipe cap that fell off my truck last Saturday on the way home from Richmond.

Today, I found it alongside the road in Portsmouth Va. A Virginia State Trooper by the name of Knight gave me permission to walk the mile of road where I thought I heard it fall off. After hunting in the under brush and posion ivy for three hours, I found it scratched up, missing a wrench nipple but in otherwise good shape!

It was the one original part I was concerned about replacing. Trooper Knight let me look because it was an old firetruck. I guess even the cops like firetrucks!

Hello VF
Your truck looks better each update. I'm sure you had an exciting time at Richmond visiting with other firefighters and their rigs. Also touching time honoring the fallen Hero's.
Glad you found most of the parts that fell off. We suffered a bit of a setback with our truck. A large tree fell across the garage and demolished it. The truck was damaged and is in a shop being repaired but no idea when we will get it back.

Cannonball: Thanks. I hope you get your truck back soon. I've taken the damaged cap to be polished and repaired so hopefully it will be as good as new when I get it back. I hope the same for you and your truck also.