Fire Engines Photos

Like Leyland and AEC; the Crown Firecoach is built on a Bus Chassis, by the Crown Coach Corporation, which originally started in Los Angeles, California, in 1904.

In 1932, Crown created the original large flat-nose Transit Style (or "Type D") bus, with mid-ship, underfloor-mounted, commercial truck engines. Many were the familiar, yellow school-buses for hauling kids to schools, in the vast rural areas of North America.

From 1951-1985, Crown produced Fire-Engines - Pumpers, Tiller-Aerials, Aerials, and Tenders - many, with the obvious bus chassis, as with this one.

You didn't have to be in California to get to see a Crown Firecoach; "Emergency!", the television series of 1972, had "Engine 51" - a 1965 open-cab Crown Firecoach Pumper, for the 1st two years.

Unlike the other cast members; it was played by a real-life fire-fighter - namely Engine 60, of Los Angeles County Fire Dept., stationed at Universal Studios.

At the time, I hadn't thought the Flat Front too pretty; say, compared to the American LaFrance Series 700/800/900 open-cab trucks, not knowing of the bus origins.

Sadly, Crown Coach ceased operations in 1991 - due, in part, it is said, to the quality of their buses. They lasted so long, that Crown were not selling enough replacements, to stay in business - sound familiar, in today's "Disposable World" ?

Great shots, Alan: I had been hoping someone, most likely from its California area, to post a photo of these unique Firecoaches, eventually: as I have only seen them on the flickering screen....

Wish granted: though, from Scotland, and Kuwait (picture 21259 ) !!

The Wonders of the World-Wide Web....

Regards, from Canada,
Pat_R-B

Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 06 January 2010.

Very Nice! The only Crown's i have seen (East of the Mississippi river)As we say in the STATE'S were in Montclare New Jersey. Best of luck taking care of her.

Added by George Frankenfield on 14 January 2010.

During a trip to Southern California(San Diago)back in 1990 these type of appliances were very popular.Although at that time the SDFD were using Clark,VanBelt,Ward Lafrance,E/One and American LaFrance pumpers,etc,several departments used Crown.I'll get out my old albums from my 2 weeks in San Diago and send some pictures through in due course.

Added by Pete Matten on 14 January 2010.

Hi , may have started something here , i will take some more photos as soon as it stops snowing , great piece of equipment and a bit ahead of its time , picture taken last summer at a town gathering at alyth in Perthshire Scotland next to the local stations appliance ,i apologise for the tardiness in uploading but didnt think any one would be interested ,was a popular appliance in the Los Angeles area where they were produced , it still runs good and needs minimal maintenance

Added by Alan Ramsay on 15 January 2010.

Crowns were sold mostly in CA, OR, WA, HI with a few in AZ, NV. Montvale, NJ got 4 and Bannockburn, Ill got 2. You have a very nice rig.

Added by Bill Hoeft on 05 September 2010.

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