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In 1935, Detroit FD decided try a new pumper body style in order to reduce the exposure of their firemen to accidents
and weather. The result was the "sedan pumper" which ruled Detroit until the mid 1960's. This is the only remaining
example of the 8 wooden bodied trucks purchased in 1936 and 1937. The framework of the body was made of wood, then covered
with an aluminum skin. In 1938 the trucks became all steel.
The truck is powered by Seagrave's 906 cu. in. V-12 engine and it's pump is rated at 1000 gpm. Like all Detroit
rigs of the period, it carries no water.
Seagrave changed body designs in 1949, creating what would be known as their "75th Anniversary Series" trucks.
This example was built in 1956 for Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. It has the small Seagrave V-12 at 531 cu.in. and pumps
1000 gpm. The engine was designed by Pierce Arrow. Seagrave purchased the rights to this engine when the company went
under.
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