FMC "Custom"???

[GA_Dave]

This apparatus is an example of the first attempt by FMC to enter the custom apparatus market.  The chassis was built by Spartan Motors and carried Spartan Model designation "CFA".  This cab design was unique to FMC and not all that many were produced.  Please post pics or info of any others you may know about.
   FMC never did build any actual custom chassis rigs.  Instead, they disguised rigs built by Spartan Motors or PemFab.
   The pumper shown here is Engine 531 with the Cumberland Road F.D., near Fayetteville, NC.  It's a 1500/1000.

[Box 2565]

B.S.T. & G. Fire District at Sunbury OH
1977 Ford/FMC
750 GPM - 750 Tank
Steve Hagy photo.

[yfdgricker]

B.S.T. & G. Fire District at Sunbury OH would definitely be in the running for ugliest truck!

[Box 2565]

Covington OH  Bingo 1
1977 Spartan/FMC
1250 GPM - 750 Tank

The chassis used for this apparatus was the first unit produced by Spartan Motors.  Spartan recently purchased this pumper to display at musters and conventions.  The unit designation of "Bingo 1" was adopted for this pumper as the funds to purchase the rig were raised at the fire department bingo games.

[Box 2565]

From Fire Engineering - June 1975.

[4EM]

The General Warren Emergency Company #2 Haverstraw NY

FMC/JOHN BEAN Hi Pressure




Below is a link to the original Proposal for this apparatus. The proposal includes drawings, ect. ENJOY!

http://www.gwe2.org/database/1977proposal.PDF

[GA_Dave]

Here's another one.  No specs on it, but it was original to Farmingdale, NY.  It then served as Engine 3776 at St. James, NC.

[highviewfire]

We spoke with Mr. Foster, one of the founders of Spartan, at the past FDIC, to clear the many stories of this configuration.  He says that FMC did in fact build their own version of that cab and mount it on a modified Ford L-900 chassis, first.  Some former REO employees, including Mr. Foster, approached FMC and offered to build them a "custom" chassis that did not require any modification.  The first unit, Bingo, pictured above, was the end result, and Spartan Motors was named and incorporated.  Approximately 16 of these Spartan/FMC versions were produced, which is seemingly verified by early Spartan delivery lists.  It was initially called the CF-1000, then CFA (for aluminum cab). It is unknown how many Ford/FMC versions were produced first.  Anyway, although he's aging, Mr. Foster is still very involved, very sharp, and very welcome to discussion.  So, straight from the horses mouth....

Kent Parrish