1958 Ford C500 Army Fire Service Truck

[rob love]

I took a drive about 3 miles from me today and had a look at an old army fire truck for sale at a vintage auto yard. It was the ugliest thing I have ever seen (even uglier than a cab 11 IMHO) and I just fell in love with it. It is a 1956-58 Ford C500 Marmon Harrington 4wd conversion with a King fire body on the back. It was one of 11 produced for the Cdn Army as a field fire truck. The front axle was removed, the engine is stuck, likely the tranny too, and there are a few dents on the front body, but otherwise rust free. I had to have it. I went home and got the better half, who I had expected to talk me out of it, but all she did was get me to barter a lower price than I would have gone. It worked, and the truck will be delivered tomorrow.

The unit signs are still visible. It is marked 12 coy, and I don't know if that was here in Shilo or from Saskatchewan. It has the remnants of a prairie command decal as well, along with the CFR on the hood. If anyone knows who 12 coy was, or has any further info on these trucks, please chime in.

I got the following off a Cdn firetrucks website:
Canadian Army Ford C500 Range tender 1958
One of 11 delivered to Halifax (NS), 2 to Gagetown (NB), Valcartier (QC), Kingston (ON), Picton (ON), Petawawa (ON), Shilo (MB), Regina (SK), Calgary (AB) and Wainwright (AB)

A quick internet check shows that Prince Edward county in Ontario has one of these as a parade truck. Hopefully I can get some shots of theirs to determine what is correct.

Here are a couple shots of it from the dealer's website. I'll try and get more shots of it tomorrow or Sunday, especially of the markings. I have already been on ebay to check about a siren (after all isn't that more important than a running engine, brakes or even a seat??).