Firefighters in the Route 66 town of Miami, Oklahoma, are raising funds to restore their 1949 firetruck so it can be used for parades and other special events.
The 75-year-old Seagrave firetruck undoubtedly was used many times over the decades in fires and accidents along Route 66 in the city. The city estimates it will cost $15,000 to restore the vehicle.
The Joplin Globe spoke to retired fire captain Gary Reynolds, who started on the Miami force in 1962, about the truck:
“We rode on the tailboard and held on to the rail of the old truck and rode to fires, Reynolds said. “That’s what we did for years. It’s got all dual ignition, dual carburetors and dual ignitions. It’s got a switch, and it’ll run on either set. It was what you called foolproof.”
The city statement noted the Miami Fire Department bought the truck new in 1949 and that it made hundreds if not thousands of runs.
The truck was relegated to reserve status when new equipment was bought, and eventually the pumper was sold at a surplus auction and ended up with the Adair Fire Department.
After Adair upgraded its firefighting equipment, the truck was sold back to the city of Miami in 2011 for $1 when Ronnie Cline was fire chief.
The fire department is holding a “Save the Seagrave” online auction through 5 p.m.. CT April 22 to help raise funds. It also is selling navy T-shirts with the Seagrave on them.
Short-sleeve shirts are $14, and long-sleeve shirts are $18, plus $2 for 2X, $3 for 3X, and $4 for 4X sizes. Orders must be placed by April 30 and can be made by calling Amy Bass at (918) 541-2291.
(Image of the 1949 Seagrave firetruck via the “Save the Seagrave” Facebook page)