Fire Engine [Fargo Combination Unit]
Maker and role
Chrysler Corporation, Manufacturer
Colonial Motor Company, Manufacturer
New Zealand. National Service Department, Commissioned by
Production date
1943
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
F1161.2003
Production period
Description
Fargo fire engine. Grey truck with black painted bumper and running board. Wooden bed painted grey, covered with black canvas. Brown vinyl upholstery. Globe hood ornament.
Specifications:
Manufacturer: Chrysler (Detroit), Colonial Motor Company (New Zealand)
Engine type and output: Dodge straight-six flathead side-valve petrol, 3.7 litre outputting 76kW
Gearbox: 4-speed manual
Pump: Colonial Motor Company pump driven by a separate Ford V8 engine, capable of delivering 2000 litres per minute.
Specifications:
Manufacturer: Chrysler (Detroit), Colonial Motor Company (New Zealand)
Engine type and output: Dodge straight-six flathead side-valve petrol, 3.7 litre outputting 76kW
Gearbox: 4-speed manual
Pump: Colonial Motor Company pump driven by a separate Ford V8 engine, capable of delivering 2000 litres per minute.
Brief History
Fargo was a relatively rare badge applied to a Dodge truck when Chrysler absorbed both the Fargo and Dodge manufacturing companies. This is a 1940-41 Dodge styled 'Job-Rated truck' delivered in 1943 to support New Zealand's Emergency Precautions Scheme (EPS). The EPS was introduced in 1935 to help the country respond to a natural disaster or enemy attacks. It likely arrived in Aotearoa via Todd Motor Industries (Pōneke/Wellington), Chrysler agent at the time, and was one of seventeen ordered to assist response to fires from air raids during WWII. It has the same cab and grille, and other features of the ‘Job-Rated trucks’ which included stronger frames than other Dodge trucks because of higher-tensile-strength steel. This type of truck would have primarily been a hose-layer rather than a fire-fighting vehicle.
It is fitted with a Colonial Motor Company (Wellington) pump that is driven by a separate Ford V8 engine. The pump was capable of delivering 2000 litres of water per minute and the vehicle could also tow an additional Dennis trailer pump if required. Towing an additional pump would have substantially increased its pumping capacity, should a sufficient water source be available near a fire.
Most of the Colonial Motor Company fire pumps were destined for the armed forces, but a number were used by local fire brigades, the Public Works and Forestry Boards under the Emergency Precautions Scheme. These portable Ford pumps were also deployed throughout the Pacific and many went into local brigade inventories after the war. During WWII, New Zealand industry manufactured a considerable amount of fire equipment alongside munitions, military ware and while undertaking vehicle refurbishment.
The vehicle served for the following departments:
National Service Department - 1943-1946,
Internal Affairs Department – 1946,
Napier Fire Board (No.6) - 1947-1976,
New Zealand Fire Service - 1976-1979.
This Fargo combination unit has been restored to a grey livery, the colour it would have been when the vehicle was part of the Emergency Precautions Scheme for the National Service Department.
It is fitted with a Colonial Motor Company (Wellington) pump that is driven by a separate Ford V8 engine. The pump was capable of delivering 2000 litres of water per minute and the vehicle could also tow an additional Dennis trailer pump if required. Towing an additional pump would have substantially increased its pumping capacity, should a sufficient water source be available near a fire.
Most of the Colonial Motor Company fire pumps were destined for the armed forces, but a number were used by local fire brigades, the Public Works and Forestry Boards under the Emergency Precautions Scheme. These portable Ford pumps were also deployed throughout the Pacific and many went into local brigade inventories after the war. During WWII, New Zealand industry manufactured a considerable amount of fire equipment alongside munitions, military ware and while undertaking vehicle refurbishment.
The vehicle served for the following departments:
National Service Department - 1943-1946,
Internal Affairs Department – 1946,
Napier Fire Board (No.6) - 1947-1976,
New Zealand Fire Service - 1976-1979.
This Fargo combination unit has been restored to a grey livery, the colour it would have been when the vehicle was part of the Emergency Precautions Scheme for the National Service Department.
Marks
FARGO Logo
Media/Materials
Credit Line
Chrysler Corporation et al. 1943. Fire Engine [Fargo Combination Unit], F1161.2003. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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