An error has occurred while processing this page. The site administrator has been notified. We apologize for the inconvenience.
501
1919
FORD MODEL T FIRE ENGINE
Painted as a Hanover, Massachusetts fire engine. Completely restored. Purchased in 1970 in Scituate, Massachusetts. Retains various documents, including a copy of a 2012 newspaper feature with photos of Roger Leslie with this truck, photos of this truck in the 2016 Memorial Day parade and a pamphlet advertising a book on the history of fire vehicles. Viewing by appointment only. Please call 508-385-3116 to schedule an appointment.
Condition: Restored, as-is. This item is not available for viewing at our Hanover gallery. Viewing will be available shortly offsite on November 8th from 11am to 4pm. Please call the office and ask for Eric Mulak for details.
The absence of a condition report does not imply an object is free of defects. All items may have normal signs of age and wear commensurate with their age; these issues will likely not be mentioned in the condition report. Please contact Eldred's before the auction with any condition questions. Questions about condition will not be answered after purchase. Condition reports are provided as a courtesy, and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Important note on frames: Frames are not guaranteed to be in the same condition as they are in the item photograph. Due to handling and shipping, many frames, especially antique ones, are prone to losses. If you have questions about the condition of a frame, please contact us prior to the auction.
The absence of a condition report does not imply an object is free of defects. All items may have normal signs of age and wear commensurate with their age; these issues will likely not be mentioned in the condition report. Please contact Eldred's before the auction with any condition questions. Questions about condition will not be answered after purchase. Condition reports are provided as a courtesy, and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Important note on frames: Frames are not guaranteed to be in the same condition as they are in the item photograph. Due to handling and shipping, many frames, especially antique ones, are prone to losses. If you have questions about the condition of a frame, please contact us prior to the auction.
-
Provenance: Notes from the consignor:
Around 1970, Roger saw this truck sitting in a field in Scituate with a a tree growing through one of the running boards. We purchased it for $200 from someone named Litchfield even though I hadn't even seen the truck before. Litchfield sat in the truck with us with the air running on a hot summer day and told us that his father had used the truck in Scituate parades throughout the years. We both knew, Roger especially, how much work it would take to restore it.
Since the truck had not run in years, it took a great deal of effort to get the truck onto a trailer to bring it home. Many people, many of whom lived quite a ways away, saw it at our place and stopped to give Roger their information should he want help restoring it.
It remained snugly in the shed in our backyard for some years until Roger had the entire family polishing pieces of it while we sat to watch Sunday football. A fellow from Hanover offered to sandblast the bottom of the truck, which required us to number all the connecting pieces before taking it apart. When we finally got the truck back, we began the large feat of the engine during the cold of winter. Luckily, the shed had electricity, so work on it we did!
It had taken three years to get here and, at this point, we had to add on to the shed to fit more people in to help. Ken Ekstron, Roger's brother-in-law, worked in the metal industry and was a great help. He made new brackets to hold the running boards and forged metal for the new seat, which was then wrapped in leather. Unfortunately, Ken had passed away before we finished the truck.
Our youngest daughter would sit on the spokes of the wheels while her father sanded them all. It really took all of us pitching in to make this a working vehicle again. I once thought it would come into the dining room once it was complete, but instead it ended up in the barn next to our home. I also thought it might say "His Mistress" on the back, but it says "Engine 1".
This truck is the highlight of Roger's collection. Many people have been to see his collection and everyone marvels at the antique engine. Roger went to the Selectman to ask for permission to put the town seal on the truck and keep it saying "Engine 1". He found that it's an original Hanover piece purchased for $1.00 from Goldy's Junkyard here in Hanover.
This truck has been a staple piece of nostalgia at parades in Hanover and at Hanover Days, along with Firemen's Sunday. It also went to Roger's funeral and his services at the funeral home in Hanover.
Shipping Options
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer
November 9, 2023 9:30 AM EST
Hanover, MA, US
Eldred's
You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $499,999:
28.00%
$500,000+:
10.00%
View full terms and conditions
Bid Increments
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $49 | $5 |
| $50 | $99 | $10 |
| $100 | $499 | $25 |
| $500 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $2,999 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $29,999 | $1,000 |
| $30,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 + | $10,000 |