History

Nov. 11th 2013
My dear colleague Chris S. send me an e-mail showing "Big Red" advertised at Fenton Fire http://www.fentonfire.com by Bob O.
A full equipt 1970 American LaFrance / 1000 Fire Engine. Something I was looking for a long time.

Nov. 19th 2013
first E-Mail contact with Bob O. advising that the truck is at Raleigh, N.C., USA.
Further he stated:
Quote: "Condition is excellent- All of the hoses are included - 5 inch; 2 1/2 inch; New booster hose on reals; Roof ladder;  35' ft. extension ladder; Generator/ 4 years old; Portable Pump - original; 1000 gallon tank -- currently full of water;  Gauges and discharges work; Pump works excellent;  Warning lights work as does headlamps and directionals; Paint in excellent condition;  Waxed and shined; Diesel Engine - sounds great and works great; Fire extinguishers; Small tools
This truck has always been well maintained and kept inside in a heated  garage.
The Truck's original owner was the Lyons Fire Department, Lyons, N.Y.  I also have  two other trucks from that Fire Dept.
Unquote
Wow, this sounds like my dream.
Nov. 23rd. 2013
Chris flew from Atlanta to Raleigh and had a close look at the truck.
Pictures he took are published at ...
At that day I was out for dinner and couldn`t wait for his report and pictures.
Chris confirmed that truck is in very good shape and engine sounds perfect.

Nov. 25th till Dec. 13th 2013
checked with registration office and other goverment dept. in Germany about the requirements to run a truck like this on German roads. Since the truck is 43 years old, we call it an "Oldtimer" and special rules apply. But still, the break system (one circle to two circle) has to be changed, headlights must be changed and some other minor things.
The shipping aspect had to be thought of. Since I`m in logistic myself, but mainly with freight all kind and automotive spare parts, our experience in shipping cars and trucks, was not that intense. But at the end easy. The plan was to ship the truck on Wallenius from Charleston S.C. to Bremerhaven Germany.

Dec. 14th 2013
signed bill of sale with Bob. We both were so excited.
What a Christmas present... ;-)

Now time to make the plan when to ship.
I decided to fly to US and pick up "Big Red" myself together with Chris.
A good friend and colleague of mine, Karsten M. from Munich Bavaria had to do some work in Atlanta and could therefore also attend.
We scheduled the pick up for Jan. 10th 2014
Till than Bob managed to have some maintenance done on the truck.

1. Change Oil and Filters; 2. Change Anti Freez; 3. Grease -  including drive shaft;4. Grease Pump; 5. Check Tire Pressure; 6. Replace 2 Battery's; 7. Check lights; 8. Check Brakes; 9. Any other misc. needed; 10. N.C. Inspection

Jan. 8th 2014
Flew to Atlanta on British Airways. Arrived at 18:30 H. Surprise: my luggage did not make it !
We (Chris, Karsten and myself) left same night from Atlanta to Greenville Spartanburg. We had some meetings with customers on Jan 9th.
By the way: "How about insurance for driving the truck from Raleigh to Charleston Port ?" 280 Miles...
To get insurance for a truck with the age of 43 years old and a german driver was not so easy. Friends from our sub contractor RPM in Greenville helped to get in contact with the right insurance company.
A lot of questions had to be answered, docs to be signed e.t.c. The cost was about 600,00 USD.
Jan 9th 2014
left from Greenville to Raleigh. After 3 hours drive arrived and booked a hotel via price line.

Jan 10th. 2014
Final confirmation received from insurance company.
At 10:15 H arrived at Bob`s house. Finaly we were able to meet personaly.
Bob drove "Big Red" out of his private Fire House, were he was hosting the 1970 ALF and a 1953 ALF.
My first thought: "What a cool sound - it looks so beautifull"
Since we are all fire volunteer fire fighters, we need to know how the punp works.
George L. ritired Chief of Bay Leaf Fire Dept.  http://www.bayleaffire.com came by to show us how the pump works. Since there was an issue with the handle to be pulled in the cabin to get the pump working, we had to investigate the problem in detail.
We took also some time and visited Station 1 of Bay Leaf FD. It was just opened on Oct. 20th 2013.
They call it the tadsch mahal of George L.. It took 13 years to plan, get the funds and finaly build it.
During our tour a guy showed up from a maintenance company. We asked him for help in regards of our pump problem. We took "Big Red" to Bay Leaf FD Station one and the young kid immediately checked everything and went under the truck. Result: we are trying to work the right handle, but somehow it does not work.
Back to Bob`s house and further investigation. WD 40 always helps ! We got it to work and the pump works.
It was already too dark to leave for Charleston and there was an other little issue with the taillights.
The maintenance guy was planed to come again on Saturday Jan. 11th and 8.
So we went out for nice dinner with Bob and is lovely wife Leslie.

Jan 11th. 2014
08:00 AM we were at site again and found a work arround solution for the taillights.
At noon we left Bob`s place and started our journey to Charleston. We left right in time, since a Tornado was heading towards Raleigh. Bob reported power outage from noon till next day evening.
Half an hour after we left  Raleigh, heavy rain started.
First stop to secure the tarp. Secound stop to take of "keep back" cover from ladder.
Engine works fine and speeding at 65 MpH.
After 3 hours late lunch break. Still 150 miles to go.
Slowly it became dark and we questioned what to do when arriving in Charleston. Espacialy where to safely park. We checked closest Fire Department and located Charelston Fire Station 12. http://www.charleston-sc.gov/index.aspx?NID=1077
The guys were very helpfull and allowed us to park in the back yard.
Time to look for a hotel again. Quick dinner and time for a nap.

Jan 12th. 2014
08:00 AM arrived at Fire Station 12. Big Red was smiling and in good shape.
We started to strip all hoses and anything that could be taken off easily. Also we took of the siren and the bell. Everything loaded on a U-Haul trailer.
Noon, time to leave to harbour since we had a pre-arranged meeting to drop Big Red.
Driving through Charleston down town was so great. A lot of people turned arround and even took picktures while we had to stop at signal.
When arrived at port, come to find out that person we had pre-arranged the appointment with, was not there and no operation at all. Guard: "please come back monday morning 07:30 h".
We went back to Fire Station 12. "we are back" no success in delivering Big Red at Port.
No problem for the guys from the FD and we were allowed to park again in the back yard.
We made us of the time and did some further maintenance on the truck.
At 09:00 PM we booked a hotel again, had a light dinner and a short nap till next morning.

Jan 13th. 2014
07:30 AM back at Fire Station 12. Big Red still smiling. Even though that we took off the bell, e.t.c.
Ready to go to the port. At the port I was escorted by Michael C. from Charleston Port on the terminal. He helped me to get the paperwork done and finally I parked "Big Red" and had to say good by and see you in Bremerhaven.
After that we went to Charleston Customs House and droped all the export docs incl. the original title, which was send back to us few days later with the export confirmation.

Feb. 3rd. 2014
"Big Red" arrived at Bremerhaven Port on the vessel Turandot from Wallenius Wilhelmsen Line.
Now time to get the customs clearence done. Since Jan 1st. 2014, German customs has a new regulation, that any historic car or truck (older than 30 years) which is still in original shape, can be cleared for an all in tax/duty rate of 7%.
Customs worked on the clearence. Requested copies of all docs. We also forwarded a picture. I guess they got excited and advised they will have a personal look at it.

Feb 6th. 2014
Customs confirms clearence.
I went to the registration office in Hamburg and applied for a 5 day licence plate. Ttl. cost about 30 Euro incl. the plates. In addition to this insurance premium.

Feb. 7th. 2014
06:00 AM 3 guys from my local FD (FF-Lemsahl Mellingstedt), Knut, Michael B., Bene and myself departed from Hamburg. Took some tools and my GoPro.
At 08:30 AM we arrived at Bremerhaven Port. Since all docs had been well prepared by my colleague Hans-Peter F., the terminal was aware of us and quickly let us in.
Time to see "Big Red" again. In good shape, but a little sea sick. Taillights working but Breaklights not. Left the terminal and put on the plates.
Get some fuel and the gas station and some air on the tires.
Now time to see customs for final release and to get the "Unbedenklichkeits-Bescheinigung" stamped.
They checked the VIN Number on the truck and compared to the docs.
Than one of the customs officers saw some foreign cigarets in my car. No the bad story starts....
He quesitoned how many cigarets I`m carrying and if I have more than 10.000 EUR with me.
He screened the whole car and even checked my baggage. Also I had to give him a full report about my business trips of the last few weeks. I saw myself behind bars.
But finaly the let us go.
10:30 AM on the road to Hamburg.
Arrival in Hamburg at 03:00 PM
We took some nice pictures at our FD.

Feb. 9th. 2014
Take "Big Red" to our logistic warehouse for safe and dry parking.
Now it is time to get prepared for first inspection by registration office.
After that further maintenance and changes.

Time to continue.....

In April 2014 I drove Big Red to "Auto Wichert" who was kind enough to do a lot of maintenance on the truck besides my self. Due to limited time and ordering necessary parts, it took almost a year.
What was done:
- Head lights changed to EU standard
- Positionlights on left and right side
- all lever of pump inspected and made for easy work
- whole electric tested and partly exchanged
- KM/H added to speedometer
- windshields changed
- lense hood added
- water tank cleaned and inspected
- cooling water system partly renewed
- fan belt replaced
- alternator replaced
- stamped chassis number
- light switch renewed
- repaired lighting switchboard
- windscreen wiper water tank replaced
- air break system replaced
- motor suspension replaced
- install rear view camera
- a lot of little other things

March 24th
final inspection

to be continued.