Built by the Ahrens-Fox Fire Engine Company in Cincinnati, OH for the Torrent Engine Company, also known as the Stafford Springs Fire Dept that served the village Stafford Springs, CT.  This engine was delivered on February 11, 1938 and served as Engine 47 until it was retired in 1971.   This Pumper is typical of the styling changes Ahrens-Fox introduced in the 1930’s.  These engines were prompted by Ahrens-Fox to small communities who needed quality fire engines with a limited budget.

 

After it was retired from active service, it was used as their antique parade piece until the department was disbanded in 1999.  It was then donated to the Connecticut Fire Museum by the Stafford Historical Society in 2010.

 

It was originally powered by a Hercules RXLD engine with a rotary gear Hale 750 GPM pump, however the Hercules engine was unreliable if not run frequently and had repeated major mechanical issues. In 2024 the Hercules engine was replaced with a 1978 Chevy 292 I6 engine with a 1962 Chevy 4-speed manual to make the truck reliable and road worthy.  This was a common practice to extend the service life of a fire apparatus,

 

Prep work was done by CFM volunteers, and a donation by Farmington Motors Sports to tow the truck to Gasper’s Automotive Restoration in Manchester, CT for the mechanical work.

 

Mechanical Specifications

Engine - 1937-2024 Hercules RXLD, 2024 – curr 1978 Chevy 292 I6

Transmission - 2024  - curr 1962 Chevy 4  speed manual

Pump - 750 GPM rotary gear Hale

Tank - 100 gallon

Ladder - 24 ft extension

Hose - 1,500 2 ½ inch