American LaFrance Fire Engines - France: Books - History

100 Years of American LaFrance - An Illustrated History 1904-2004 - An Illustrated History

From the creation of the American-LaFrance Fire Engine Co. in 1904 through the company's latest deliveries in 2004, McCall provides insight into the company's often complex corporate history with an emphasis on the development of ALF motor fire apparatus. Comparisons to its competitors help explain the various development stages in apparatus style and components.

Detailed, historic photographs show the wide variety of apparatus produced by ALF over the last century. A color gallery portrays the ALF colorful designs that remain popular for U.S fire departments today.
The story wouldn't be complete without a chapter on ALFCO's Canadian Cousin, LaFrance Fire Engine and Foamite Ltd. An appendix explains the various types and series and the time period they were built. An outline of the various names the company went through is also provided.

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American LaFrance 400 Series Photo Archive

In 1934, at the depths of the Great Depression, the American-LaFrance-Foamite Corporation of Elmira, New York, designed and placed into production an uncommonly handsome new big-city fire engine. Powered by the company's industry-leading V-12 engine, the 400 Series Metropolitan had its high-capacity pump mounted in the truck's cowl ahead of the driver instead of in the usual midship location under the driver's seat.
With its long, gracefully tapered hood, skirted fenders, classically-proportioned gabled radiator, and oversized wheels, the big 400 was a triumph of industrial design - an eye-pleasing blend of form and function, and the industry's first truly styled fire engine.

This authoritative, thoroughly-researched, and richly illustrated book documents the big 400's relatively short, but spectacular, production life. This long-overdue, eagerly anticipated compendium is the only book ever published devoted exclusively to this revered American firefighting classic.

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American LaFrance 500 / 600 Series Photo Archive

The 1930s was the decade of style - an era of streamlining and bold, futuristic art deco design that influenced the look of everything from jewelry, furniture and skyscrapers to locomotives, ships, automobiles, and Fire engines.
Calendar year 1938 was an epochal one for new product development by America's largest manufacturer of motor fire apparatus, as the company introduced its first hydraulically-operated all-steel aerial ladder along with the industry's first compact, cab-forward aerial ladder truck.
But the biggest news that eventful year was its ultra-streamlined 500 Series fire apparatus. With its dramatically clean styling the art deco 500 Series suddenly made everything else look old-fashioned.

This authoritative, superbly researched and generously illustrated book documents the American-LaFrance 500 and 600 Series' remarkable nine-year production run from the late 1930s through the years immediately following the Second World War. In addition to the big 500/600 Series, the book also covers the lesser-known "junior edition" B-500 and B-600 Series.

Long overdue, this exciting compendium is the only book ever devoted exclusively to this controversial series and completes another fascinating chapter in American-LaFrance history.

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American LaFrance 700 & 800 Series 1953-1958 Photo Archive

The 700 Series' later years. Carefully chosen photographs, accompanied by descriptive captions, illustrate the progression and intricate changes of the American LaFrance 700 and 800 Series. See the transition from the 700 Series to the short-lived 800 Series, as well as the introduction of the 900 Series in 1958.
These exciting photographs are supplemented with historical articles from popular magazines of the time, as well as company sales literature and brochures.

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American LaFrance 700 Series 1945-1952 Photo Archive

An American classic. An exciting look at the American LaFrance 700 Series from its introduction. Carefully selected and researched photos illustrate intricate detail changes of the American LaFrance 700 Series of fire apparatus. See factory photographs, multiple views, detail shots, company advertising, and more.

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American LaFrance 700 Series 1945-1952 (Volume 2) Photo Archive

Fire apparatus enthusiasts raved about the first American LaFrance 700 Series Photo Archive. Now acclaimed American LaFrance author Larry Phillips has compiled even more exquisite photographs along with company advertising materials to offer another look at this classic American fire truck.

See superb, rare photographs that have never before been published, such as photos from the Larry Zotti Museum Collection of 700 Series rigs in various stages of production on the original Elmira, New York, assembly lines.

Also included are a number of never-before-published photographs of early 700 Series private industrial rigs from the Leo E. Duliba Collection. And don't miss the rare photographs of Grand Rapids, Michigan's tandem back-end 700 Series ladder truck.
Fire apparatus enthusiasts will applaud this second in-depth look at the American LaFrance 700 Series.

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American LaFrance 900 Series 1958-1964 Photo Archive

A close-up look at this popular American classic. Acclaimed American LaFrance author Lawrence E. Phillips continues the photographic history of American LaFrance with the birth and life of the 900 Series of fire apparatus.

Exquisite photographs are accompanied with informative captions that take you through the life of the 900 Series. Historical articles and LaFrance sales brochures give a glimpse of the culture and marketing efforts of the time.
Fire apparatus enthusiasts will love the clear photographs, multiple views and detailed descriptions.

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