This is a 1950s-era International R-185 fire truck. I wish I could have gotten the actual date but I think it's somewhere in the '53-'55 range. (Any firemen out there remember this piece of firefighting equipment??) It's sitting in the driveway of a home just off Howard Avenue in South Tampa. The "METAL INDUSTRIES FIRE DEPT. NO. 1" looks well-loved and well-cared for. I tried to find some information on the company and the truck's history but without success. It must be real love and a passion for fire trucks that drives a person to park one in their driveway. And, unlike a Corvette, Mercedes SL or even a small Ferrari Dino, you're not going to worry that your spouse is out cruising the beach or bars in it.
Who knew fire trucks could be adorable?
ReplyDeleteIncredibly beautiful! Looks like new condition, too! Nice composition, great color - a really fun foto, Frank!
ReplyDeleteYeah, you don't take one of those out to pick up girls......just dalmations.
ReplyDeleteIN the '50s they might have been less tech-savvy then we are now (were they, really?), but they surely had better taste ;-P
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