Among the three best-known California producers of fire trucks – the first two were Crown and Van Pelt – Coast Apparatus Inc. of Martinez was the smallest, and had the briefest history. So it was pleasant to see this completely intact 1955 Coast triple-combination pumper offered for sale following a partial on-camera career.
This is an example of Coast’s best-known rig, a big pumper built on the International Harvester R-206 chassis produced at the truck maker’s nearby plant in Emeryville, California. While the seller didn’t specify a powertrain, Hall-Scott gasoline engines were commonplace. The “Coast” plate between the headlamps identifies this as a later such example (also, look at the cut-down IH doors and windshield). The dual red spotlights, siren on the fender and huge water cannon appear to make this an ex-Los Angeles County pumper. Coast lasted 19 years until Howe Fire Apparatus of Anderson, Indiana, acquired it in 1966.
From the seller’s description:
this is a rare pump truck with a water gun, hose bays have been turned into seating areas. Runs strong, good brakes, lighting, tires and siren.
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