TLC for engine
A Palmerston North firefighter is fundraising to refurbish an old fire engine that once fought fires in Manawatu¯ and Rangit¯ıkei.
A Palmerston North firefighter is fundraising to refurbish an old fire engine that once fought fires in Manawatu¯ and Rangitı¯kei.
Senior firefighter Shane Betts is fundraising to refurbish a 1950 Ford V8 fire engine, used by the Palmerston North Fire Brigade in 1951.
After spending time in Ohakune and Bunnythorpe during its service life, it was given to the Palmerston North Fire Brigade’s social club in 1981 and has sat in the yard at the Palmerston North station ever since.
Betts said restoring the V8 to its original condition was a big undertaking.
‘‘Every part of the vehicle will need work, costing up to $80,000.’’
Parts of the truck still worked but Betts said most of it needed to be restored.
‘‘It’s been sitting around in need of some TLC.’’
Among the work required, the truck needed its panels replacing, as well as the wooden frame underneath it.
However, Betts said they hoped to have it up and running by the end of next year - if they could get the money together.
The idea was to use the V8 for community activities like Christmas parades, home fire safety awareness programmes and school and community galas.
They were fundraising through several streams, as well as applying for grants.
The first fundraiser has seen them create miniature versions of the Halligan bar that was on the truck, a common multipurpose tool used by firefighters to make forced entries.
Betts said from there, they hoped to do more fundraisers as well as apply for community grants.
Replica Halligan bar bottle openers are being sold as part of the fundraising efforts, and are available by emailing v8fundraiser@gmail.com.