Biglorryblog regular Roy Larkin (he of www.historicroadways.co.uk) says: "Brian, enough of Truckfest - Brighton was the place to be for the HCVS 48th London-Brighton Run!" And like Clutchslip (who reported on the run earlier this month on BLB) Roy was also attracted to the terminally weird US fire engine on the run "Here's an oddity for you. A 1927 Ahrens Fox built in America in 1927 and bought by Roteb of Rotterdam, Holland who have owned it ever since. It's got enough bonnet in front of the windscreen to reach most centre lines before being able to see what's coming and then there's the pumping gear in front of that! Apparently it's a nightmare to drive and Popeye would have needed at least 3 tins of spinach to turn the steering wheel." Now click through here for more including a link to Clutchslip's original post and video clips!
And what exactly do those things do? Meanwhile, use this link to Clutchlip's original post and YouTube clips.
The Ahrens Fox is one of 8 ordered in 1927.
Only 1 was destroyed when the Germans ruined Rotterdam on May 14th 1940. Up till today 7 still exist As far as i know only2 in Holland.
ROTEB stands for Rotterdam Ontsmetting Transport En Brandweer (Fire Brigade) They were in use till the 80's and were then still the ones with the highest pump capacity!! I witnessed 1 Ahrens Fox emptying a complete city canal....
For Uk travellers via Europoort (P&O aka North Sea ferries) there is one in hellevoetsluis at the Fire Brigade museum Only 15 minutes away from the ferry. There were closed cabs (2?) and open cabs The hellevoetsluis one is an open cab.If you want pictures let me know.Famous machines for older Rotterdampeople.
If anyone wants to know something about the Ahrens Fox cars then they can Email me because I look over the cars for ROTEB Rotterdam.
Silvester, you were close.
Rotterdam ordered 7 Ahrens Fox in 1927.
In service end of 1928 and early 1929. The last response an Ahrens Fox made was in April 1972.
No 1 was destroyed in WWII
No 2 in the Fire Service museum at Hellevoetsluis
No 3 (closed)was at Autodron museum know taken care of by Mr. Tuijtel
No 4 (closed)in Fire Service museum at Borculo
No 5 (closed)owned by Mr Tuijtel
No 6 owned by ROTEB
No 7 in automobile museum at Raamsdonkveer.
The cabs were closed in 1941.