1946 Ford Fire Engine
Resurrection Project

Southern Oregon Historical Society

This website will document the progress of the rehabilitation and preservation of a 1946 Ford Fire Engine once owned by the Ashland Oregon Fire Department. The Fire Engine was donated to the Southern Oregon Historical Society in May 2017

When SOHS volunteers Ben Truwe and Rick Black first heard about the possibility of the donation, they drove to Shady Cove to see the vehicle for the first time. We had previously seen photos of this Fire Engine in the SOHS archives as it was involved in a bridge collapse in Ashland in the winter of 1948. After the truck was repaired, it went back into service until it was sold in a surplus vehicle auction. A private individual owned it for many years. It had been sitting in Shady Cove on the Rogue River for about 8 years. When the SOHS Collections Committee and Board of Directors agreed to accept the donation of the Fire Engine, we made arrangements to have it towed to a storage location in Medford (donated by a Society member) so that we could begin to get it into running condition.

Here are some photos - grouped by date, newest group first.

June 2017 - Work Getting Started!

A Brake Job is our first priority. Here we're working on the front brakes.	The master and wheel cylinders and rubber parts will be rebuilt and reinstalled.	Our second task was to remove the radiator and have it cleaned out.	We also drained the old gasoline and pulled out the tank.

May 27 2017 - SOHS Board Okay'ed the acquisition - Let's bring it to Medford

Rick and Ben Meet Tow Truck - Fire Engine towed out of the field	Dick's Towing gets the FE in the air and ready for the ride to Medford		Our Workshop near the Airport
Workshop - Lots of space	The Workshop	Backing it in the Workshop	Ready for some TLC

April 17 - Second Visit - get rid of the canopy and give it a bath

Old canopy ripped to shreds by weather	Volunteer Kitsy W giving FE a bath	It looks Nice and shiny when wet	One of the 14 hoses found in back
Hose Reel behind Cab	Instrument Panel and Directionals	Glass broken on instrument panel	Fire Extinguisher, hoses and axe!
Volunteer Garrett checks rear storage	After unloading the hoses - empty!	Siren looks like it's ready to sound	Seat looks pretty comfy

Volunteer Ben taking initial photos	Lots of "junk" surrounding the Engine	Seems like it's all there	Driver's compartment not very tidy
Rear compartment had 14 hoses!	Fire Engine body made in Portland	Same Flathead V8 used in Ford Cars	Has been animal's nest for years

April 11, 2017 - First Visit to check it out

Volunteer Ben taking initial photos	Lots of "junk" surrounding the Engine	Seems like it's all there	Driver's compartment not very tidy
Rear compartment had 14 hoses!	Fire Engine body made in Portland	Same Flathead V8 used in Ford Cars	Has been animal's nest for years

We have a lot to do to get the Fire Engine roadworthy again. We will be asking the community to volunteer their automotive talents and resources to our effort.
Donations to this project will be gratefully accepted and acknowledged.

If you have mechanical talent and would like to help us get the Fire Engine back on the road, please contact the Southern Oregon Historical Society. Rick and Ben
both volunteer there; Rick is on duty every Wednesday and Ben works on several projects on various days.

Contact us

Questions: Contact Rick Black:

Come back soon.

Last Updated: 07/02/2017