American LaFrance

American LaFrance (ALF) was an American vehicle manufacturer which focused primarily on the production of

Ward LaFrance, an unrelated competitor fire-apparatus manufacturer also based in Elmira Heights, New York, was founded by a LaFrance family member. It went bankrupt in July 1979 and was later reopened by a different party, under the name of Ward '79. There is no association.^[1]

History

The American LaFrance Fire Engine Company traced its roots to 1832, making it one of the oldest fire apparatus manufacturers in the United States.^[how?] It was founded in 1873 by Truxton Slocum LaFrance (and partners, including Alexander S. Diven^[2]) as the LaFrance Manufacturing Company,^[3] selling hand powered equipment. A successor company, the International Fire Engine Company, built some steam power fire engines between 1903 and 1907. Apparatus built by International included horse drawn steamers, hose wagons, and hook & ladders to chemical engines, water towers and combinations. The American LaFrance Fire Engine Company was formed in 1903. ALF delivered its first motorized fire engine in 1907.

• 
  Manufacturing fire engines for the government: main machine shop at American LaFrance Fire Co., Inc., 1919
• 
  Painting Ford car chassis in plant of American La France Fire Engine Co., Inc. 1918.
• 
  Advertisement for American LaFrance fire extinguisher, c. 1920

According to the Elmira, New York, newspaper the Star-Gazette:

The company began to manufacture other firefighting equipment and in 1880 became the LaFrance Fire Engine Company. The 1890s was an era of business consolidation with the growth of trusts. A rival firm was created named the American Fire Engine Company. With the idea of creating a monopoly, in 1900 the International Fire Engine Company was announced. It included the American Fire Engine Company, LaFrance Fire Engine Company and Thos. Manning Jr. and Co. Three support equipment manufacturers were included, three fire extinguisher manufacturers also joined the company. In 1903, the company reorganized into the American LaFrance Fire Engine Company and in 1906 company headquarters were relocated from New York City to Elmira.^[4]

ALF produced a small run of passenger cars from about 1910 to 1920, totaling around 22 (with several additional "

In 1927, ALF acquired the Utica-based O.J. Childs company. The company had created Foamite, a liquid chemical designed to extinguish fires in temperatures ranging from −15 °F to 110 °F.[6]

In 1947, ALF introduced the 700-series fire apparatus. The 700-series was a "cab forward" design, placing the driver ahead of the engine and providing an expansive forward view. This would become the industry standard.^[7] In 1959, ALF introduced the 900-series cab-forward chassis. Although it was similar to the 700 (and closely related 800-series), the 900 was an all new design with a wider cab. In addition to the 700-800-900-Series trucks, ALF produced models under the names Century, Pioneer, and Eagle.

The company suspended operations and closed the Elmira operations in 1985. A much-reduced company re-opened for operations in Bluefield, Virginia, in 1986, operating through 1994.^[8]

Freightliner era

In 1995,

The North Charleston Fire Museum and Educational Center, located in North Charleston, South Carolina, claims to house "the largest collection of professionally restored American LaFrance fire apparatus in the country". The museum has an active collection of 20 ALF vehicles, each in operating condition.

• 
• 
  American LaFrance Steam Pumper, used by Oakland Fire Department
• 
  Aerial American LaFrance, Adelaide Street Firehall c. 1934
• 
  American LaFrance 700/800/900-Series
• 
  American LaFrance 700/800/900-Series
• 
  Pioneer Series
• 
  O-11A airport crash tender
• 
  1977 American LaFrance FT

See also

• Midtown Madness 2, PC game that featured La France as a racing vehicle
• Ward LaFrance Truck Corporation
• Brutus (car) aero engined car based on a La France chassis.

References