A much-reduced company re-opened for operations in Bluefield, Virginia in 1986, operating through 1994. The company suspended operations and closed the Elmira operations in 1985. In addition to the 700-800-900-Series trucks, ALF produced models under the names Century, Pioneer, and Eagle. Although it was similar to the 700 (and closely related 800-series), the 900 was an all new design with a wider cab. In 1959, ALF introduced the 900-series cab-forward chassis. This would become industry standard and copied by many other manufacturers.
#AMERICAN LAFRANCE FOAMITE CORP DRIVER#
The 700-series was a " cab-forward" design, placing the driver ahead of the engine and providing an expansive forward view. In 1947, ALF introduced the 700-series fire apparatus. The company had created Foamite, a liquid chemical designed to extinguish fires in extreme temperatures ranging from -15✯ to 110✯. In 1927, ALF acquired the Utica based O.J. None are known to still exist, but because the design was based on a Crane-Simplex chassis, several early ALF fire trucks have been converted into speedsters. ALF delivered its first motorized fire engine in 1907.ĪLF produced a small run of passenger cars from about 1910 to 1920, totaling around 22 (with several additional ' speedsters'). The American LaFrance Fire Engine Company was formed in 1903. Apparatus built by International included horse drawn steamers, hose wagons, and hook & ladders to chemical engines, water towers and combinations. A predecessor company, the International Fire Engine Company, built some steam power fire engines between 19. Diven) as the LaFrance Manufacturing Company selling hand powered equipment. Founded in 1873 by Truxton Slocum LaFrance (and partners, including Alexander S. With roots dating to 1832, the American LaFrance Fire Engine Company was one of the oldest fire apparatus manufacturers in the United States. On 17 January 2014, the company announced the cessation of operations. Ward LaFrance, a unrelated competitor fire-apparatus manufacturer also based in Elmira Heights, New York, was founded by a LaFrance family member. It also operated a Canadian plant in Toronto, Ontario, where it sold apparatus under the name LaFrance-Foamite, until 1971.
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Originally located in Elmira New York, the final iteration of the company was located in Summerville, South Carolina. Stock printed by American Bank Note Company.Īmerican LaFrance ( ALF) was an American vehicle manufacturer which focused primarily on the production of fire engines, fire aerials, and emergency apparatus such as ambulance and rescue vehicles.