Ahrens-Fox Fire Engine Company
Encyclopedia
The Ahrens-Fox Fire Engine Company is an Ohio based fire truck manufacturer. The company was founded in 1910 by John P Ahrens and Charles H Fox and built its first motorized fire engine in 1911. By the end of the following year production of horse-drawn fire apparatus
ceased completely. Since then, over 1500 pieces of fire apparatus
were built until 1977. Ahrens-Fox fire engines were recognizable by the chrome sphere on the pump that was used to hold air and smooth the outgoing pressure from the pump.
During the year 1913 only, Ahrens-Fox built a 44 HP (following then-actual rating practice) automobile. Like at rival American LaFrance
, the idea was to sell these cars to bigger fire brigades as car of duty for their chiefs. Also like at ALF, it didn't work, neither, although Ahrens-Fox was more consequently: There was only one model, a huge six-cylinder called the E-C Battalion Roadster. It was guaranteed to go faster than 50 MPH, and featured a four speed gearbox. A small pickup bed was added for some items that were thought to be useful for the head of a fire brigade, and which were included in the base price. Only six of this roadster-pickups were built during 1913; it seems they all stayed in Cincinnati. Then, Ahrens-Fox abandoned the idea and never returned to it.
Today the Ahrens-Fox name is licensed to HME, Incorporated
, which also manufactured Hendrickson Trucks.
Fire apparatus
A fire apparatus, fire engine, fire truck, or fire appliance is a vehicle designed to assist in fighting fires by transporting firefighters to the scene and providing them with access to the fire, along with water or other equipment...
ceased completely. Since then, over 1500 pieces of fire apparatus
Fire apparatus
A fire apparatus, fire engine, fire truck, or fire appliance is a vehicle designed to assist in fighting fires by transporting firefighters to the scene and providing them with access to the fire, along with water or other equipment...
were built until 1977. Ahrens-Fox fire engines were recognizable by the chrome sphere on the pump that was used to hold air and smooth the outgoing pressure from the pump.
During the year 1913 only, Ahrens-Fox built a 44 HP (following then-actual rating practice) automobile. Like at rival American LaFrance
American LaFrance
American LaFrance is an emergency and vocational vehicle manufacturer, currently based in Summerville, South Carolina. Focusing primarily on emergency apparatus fire engines and fire aerial including ambulance and rescue vehicles.-History:...
, the idea was to sell these cars to bigger fire brigades as car of duty for their chiefs. Also like at ALF, it didn't work, neither, although Ahrens-Fox was more consequently: There was only one model, a huge six-cylinder called the E-C Battalion Roadster. It was guaranteed to go faster than 50 MPH, and featured a four speed gearbox. A small pickup bed was added for some items that were thought to be useful for the head of a fire brigade, and which were included in the base price. Only six of this roadster-pickups were built during 1913; it seems they all stayed in Cincinnati. Then, Ahrens-Fox abandoned the idea and never returned to it.
Today the Ahrens-Fox name is licensed to HME, Incorporated
HME, Incorporated
HME, Incorporated is a Michigan based custom truck manufacturer.The company was founded in 1913 as Hendrickson Motor Truck Company by Mangus Hendrickson and has built over 21,000 custom trucks. It now specialises in the manufacture of custom fire truck cab & chassis under the names Spectr, 1871-W,...
, which also manufactured Hendrickson Trucks.
Source
- "Standard Catalogue of American Cars, 1805-1942", Beverly Rae Kimes (editor.) and Henry Austin Clark, jr., 2. edition (1985); Krause Publications, Iola WI 54990, ISBN 0-87341-111-0, p. 19