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As you will read, this truck became a very special vehicle in the history of fire fighting apparatus, and its builder, Peter Pirsch & Sons, Kenosha, WI. Here it's being sanded down; fender tops (diamond plate) and hood removed.As you will read, this truck became a very special vehicle in the history of fire fighting apparatus, and its builder, Peter Pirsch & Sons, Kenosha, WI. Here it's being sanded down; fender tops (diamond plate) and hood removed. 

We went through about five gallons of primer and 5 gallons of activator.We went through about five gallons of primer and 5 gallons of activator.

The floor in this compartment (among others) was rusty and was cut out.The floor in this compartment (among others) was rusty and was cut out.

Painted! 1960 Pontiac GM Flame Red paint code 53APainted! 1960 Pontiac GM Flame Red paint code 53A

3 gallons of red paint, one of white and one of silver - plus all the necessary additives. Each color took one day. Finished 6/26/2005.3 gallons of red paint, one of white and one of silver - plus all the necessary additives. Each color took one day. Finished 6/26/2005.

Firewall "before." plate at top right corner exposed the circuit breakers.Firewall "before." plate at top right corner exposed the circuit breakers.

This is the air filter box, part of a Detroit Diesel 671 engine. Inside the box are 8 cylindrical air filters that can be removed and cleaned.This is the air filter box, part of a Detroit Diesel 671 engine. Inside the box are 8 cylindrical air filters that can be removed and cleaned.

Hale water pump. Hale faxed a diagram of the pump since they kept paper records of every pump they ever made.Hale water pump. Hale faxed a diagram of the pump since they kept paper records of every pump they ever made.

Down to bare metal then primed.Down to bare metal then primed.

New diamond plate floor replaced and primed.New diamond plate floor replaced and primed.

Thanks to colleague Ray Vleck who spent about every minute he had off duty to work on this truck with me about every day. This photo shows what's behind the panels and gauges. 8 water pressure meters each had a metal pipe going to it from the water tank and pumps.Thanks to colleague Ray Vleck who spent about every minute he had off duty to work on this truck with me about every day. This photo shows what's behind the panels and gauges. 8 water pressure meters each had a metal pipe going to it from the water tank and pumps.

AfterAfter

12/26/2005: Water test courtesy of Southeast Testing and the Nokomis (FL) Fire Department. After pumping over 600 GPM for 90 minutes we were pleased. This was with one hose line in, and one hose to the deck gun.12/26/2005: Water test courtesy of Southeast Testing and the Nokomis (FL) Fire Department. After pumping over 600 GPM for 90 minutes we were pleased. This was with one hose line in, and one hose to the deck gun.

The pump after exterior restoration. It worked fine!!!The pump after exterior restoration. It worked fine!!!

During the summer of 2005, I got an e-mail from the US office of Corgi International, the die-cast model maker.  They were producing a series called Heroes into the fire.  They had several models already on the market of Pirsch trucks.  They knew that there was one more generation of design that they had not used.  This (mine) was pretty much the front end from the 50s through the 70s.  Pirsch went out of business very tragically by (my opinion) ignoring a law suit - which they lost.

Anyway, they wanted my permission to take photos off my website to make the model. I told them I wasn't done with it yet, and I'd send them a CD with pictures when I was done.   Eventually I sent the CD and Corgi was bought out by another British company.  They did produce 2500 models of the truck (complete with explanation of how a deputy sheriff (me) restored the truck).  They are numbered.  The deal was I'd get 24 copies of the truck in exchange for letting them copy it.  If you follow this collectible hobby, you know these items are selling every day between $50 and $100.  

The real truck at the Venice Jetties (Intracoastal waterway) Sarasota County.The real truck at the Venice Jetties (Intracoastal waterway) Sarasota County.

The truck on the truck. 1:50 scale.The truck on the truck. 1:50 scale.

The truck won a second place junior division at the winter AACA convention in Punta Gorda, FL 2008.  In 2009 it won its senior division in Lakeland, FL

The model - same location. Photos by Jack MersereauThe model - same location. Photos by Jack Mersereau

Model with box posed on the fender with the "Q" siren.Model with box posed on the fender with the "Q" siren.

This truck is now a resident of Abeline, TX, where it enjoys a lot of attention in parades and various events.

I sold some of the Corgi models but gave one to each of my grandchildren (they're tucked away for them when they're older).  This was my first full size fire truck.