Now here’s a beefy looking fire truck in the form of a 1957 Oshkosh W616. Owned by Mike Blais of Springfield, VT this truck is original as they day it was delivered from the Pirsch factory….if you excluded one repaint. After 41 years of service with the Springfield Fire Department Mike was able to obtain the truck he first saw as a child.
Outside of airport crash trucks I can’t recall seeing to many Oshkosh based fire trucks so this one is a real treat to behold. Below, the truck as it appeared in ’57.
If you would like to see this truck in person you’re in luck. Mike plans on taking the W616 to ATCA Western Mass Chapter truck show this coming Sunday May 1, 2016. See flyer below for details.
Thanks for the great photos Mike! Safe travels to the show.
Hi Eric – Thanks for allowing me to share this unusual truck with your readers. My hometown of Springfield had two pieces of Pirsch apparatus, a 1948 Ladder truck, and a1952 open cab pumper. In 1956 the Chief told the selectmen that we needed a four wheel drive fire engine due to the layout of the town. Basically to get anywhere you have to go up steep hills. They contacted Pirsch who had Oshkosh build the chassis and ship it in primer to Kenosha. The truck is actually a snow plow chassis. The truck has an interesting drive train due to the position of the transfer case and the pump. Mike
My buddy has the same truck for sale. You can contact me and I’ll forward your interest to him.