FWD Pumper Fire Truck 1950 - World Of Classic Cars -

While accounts vary, at some point between 1910 and 1912, the Four Wheel Drive Auto Company was founded by Otto 

FWD Pumper Fire Truck 1950

Zachaw and William Besserdich. Since the majority of roads were surfaced with dirt and gravel during this time, rugged and purpose-built trucks were required for many tasks. In response to this requirement, the duo produced heavy-duty four-wheel drive vehicles for a wide variety of applications. 

FWD Pumper Fire Truck 1950

In 1914, FWD built its first fire truck, with production continuing under the marque into the 1990s. In 1916, Besserdich, armed with patents for his transfer case and front axle designs, left FWD to form the Oshkosh Truck Corporation. Nonetheless, FWD soldiered on, expanding into military truck production during World War I, and was quite successful over the years. 

Renamed FWD Corporation in 1960, it acquired Seagrave Fire Apparatus, the oldest manufacturer of fire equipment, in 1963. The combined entity, known today as Seagrave Fire Apparatus, boasts operations in Canada and the United States, and remains a premier supplier of fire trucks to many customers throughout the world.

FWD Pumper Fire Truck 1950

The interesting FWD Pumper Fire Truck presented here was built in 1950. While very little is known of its service history, this particular example, is believed to have last seen action in Nebraska during 1973. 

It is powered by an inline six-cylinder engine, utilizing two spark plugs per cylinder, in tandem with a five-speed manual transmission and FWD’s trademark four-wheel drive system.