GA_Dave

That pic is at least 20 years old, but it is still in service at Reynolds as their parade rig. I would say that it still looks just as good.

Don't take this the wrong way, but the basis of our two Countries are completely different. The US was established as a Constitutional Republic, governed by the Rule of Law. Australia was established as subjects of the Queen. In US politics, we have two sides. One wants to follow the Constitution and the Rule of Law, while the other wants to subvert it to benefit their own agenda. Far too many in political office have succumbed to the temptation of personal greed accessible by their position. President Trump was elected to clean up that mess and get the US back on track. At this point, the election is a choice between Trump and socialism. I choose Trump!

Tanker 2-6, Hope Hose Company, Manheim, PA 1990 AutoCar/S&S 500/3000

Tanker 24, Lisburn, PA 1993 AutoCar/4-Guys 1500/3000

Powder Unit, Center Point, AL 1966 Ford N-500/Ansul 0/0/2000DC

I shot this one at a fire apparatus show last summer. 2019 International CV/Skeeter 250/500/10AF 4x4

Built by American Fire Apparatus. The flying eagle emblem at the bottom of the pump panel was their logo.

Engine 1, Reynolds, NC 1970 Ford N-750/American LaFrance 1000/750

Engine 381, Panama, NY 1991 AutoCar/Darley 1500/1500

Engine 54-4, Eureka Fire Company, Stewartstown, PA 1991 AutoCar/Allegheny 1750/750 4x4

As I recall, the tank ended about where the door latch handle on the rear compartment is. The rear half of that compartment went all the way through to the other side of the body, except where the dump pipe passed through. From the rear, the back wall went up to above that compartment, then indented to the tank and went vertical again up to the hose bed. The dump valve was located in the center of the lower wall. It has been about 30 years since I took that shot, so my recollection may be a bit fuzzy.

Tanker 201, Brocton, NY 1992 Ford LTL-9000/1971 Brenner/1982 BFD refurb 0/4000

Engine 41, Washington FD, Washington Court House, OH 1965 Ford NT-850/Marion Body Company 750/1300

Rescue 19, Good Will Fire Company #1, Spry, PA 1987 AutoCar/Steeldraulics Products, Inc. (SPI)

Tanker 2, Villas, NJ 1986 Ford LTL-9000/Young 1250/2000

Tanker 1, Orchard Hill, GA 1967 Ford N-600/Georgia Forestry 140/950

Engine 1, Stonersville, PA 1982 AutoCar/Pierce 1250/2500

Engine 253, Mayville, NY 1968 Ford N-950/American Fire Apparatus 750/1250

Tanker 14, Moody Air Force Base, Valdosta, GA 1987 International Paystar/KME A/S-32P-18 500/2000 6x6

Engine 19-2, Hockessin, DE 1967 AutoCar/Hahn 1000/500

You assume it was an expensive chassis and I don't know that it was not, but I also don't know that it was. Being a repeat local customer, they may have gotten a deal on it. I don't recall seeing an AutoCar of this design before, but then pics of one similar has been posted since your comment, so maybe it isn't all that "custom". I don't believe the Xpeditor is available with 4 wheel drive, at least I have never seen one. Committee's are often how fire apparatus are spec'd. I have seen many excellent rigs designed by those committees and I have seen some awful, dis-functional ones as well. I have seen Chiefs do the same without a committee!

Proximity to the AutoCar factory (less than 10 miles), perhaps department members worked there. Hockessin operated several AutoCar chassis apparatus back in the day.

Tanker 1, Asheville, NC 2000 International Paystar/AFD Shops 750/3500 6x6

Rescue 19, Hockessin, DE 1975 AutoCar/Hamerly 250/250/25F 4x4