1958 Land Rover Fire Engine by Carmichael1958 Land Rover. Long Fire Engine by Carmichael.
Built in England in 1958, the Land Rover was registered in New Zealand in 1961 with the plate HI6.771. It was stationed with the Akaroa Urban Fire Authority on 14th November and remained on Banks Peninsular until 1981. With nationalisation, the New Zealand Fire Service disposed of it to Westland County Council where it wore the registration plate DT 5367 and was stationed at Franz Josef. It was again sold in 1992.
The Wainuiomata Bush Fire Force purchased the Land Rover and undertook some refitting. The 40 gallon tank and reels were removed and a new steel canopy with sliding locker doors added. Seating for four were installed in the tray. The pump controls were neatly repositioned into the tray wall and an electronic foam injection system fitted, directing concentrate into the pump inlet. The vehicle was again re-registered with the plate RP 2433 and all up, cost $4,650. It remained near Wellington until 1999.
Whangarei District Council bought the Land Rover for $2,500 and in was stationed at Oakura with the Whangaruru Rural Fire Force. It remained in service until August 2007, when it was de-commissioned at the age of 49 with a serious engine fault. It was sold for £2,000 to a private collector, who rebuilt the engine and brought the vehicle back to full operating condition in 2008 still with only 15,000 miles on the clock.
Picture added on 04 November 2008
Added by Pavel Zaremba on 14 November 2008.