Hi there,
I just wanted to share some recent discoveries I made while exploring old fire stations and equipment in Calumet City. Back in March of 2012, I stumbled upon this incredibly rare 1956 Mack B-Model fire engine that had been sitting quietly in a corner of an old storage lot. It's the CFD rig designated as Shop# D-307 and Serial# B95F-1042.
This particular vehicle has quite the history with the Chicago Fire Department:
Delivered on March 16, 1956, it went through several engine changes over the years. Engine 27 was used from August 6, 1956, until February 18, 1963. Then came Engine 25 from February 18, 1963, to December 19, 1969. Engine 8 took over from January 1, 1970, to July 27, 1970. Next up was Engine 92 from November 25, 1970, to July 12, 1973. Engine 76 served from December 31, 1973, to February 5, 1976. Finally, Engine 56 operated from January 26, 1976, to January 13, 1977.
As you can see in the photos, the truck is now showing its age with plenty of rust, but it's still a remarkable piece of firefighting history. The first image shows the overall condition of the rig, while the second captures the officer's side and rear. The third photo gives us a glimpse inside the cab on the driver's side, showcasing some of the original interior features. Another shot highlights the officer's side interior, where you can notice the two holes for the D plate close to the door on the dashboard. There's also a picture of the double front bumper with the bell bracket, which adds to the classic look of the Mack B-Model.
The production plate from the Mack factory is visible in one of the images, providing a clear reference to its origin. Lastly, the double front bumper shot captures the front end beautifully, emphasizing the robust design of this vintage fire engine.
I hope these photos bring back memories for those who might have worked with this rig during its active years. If anyone has additional information or stories about D-307, I'd love to hear them!
Best regards,
Dennis McGuire, Jr.
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