1968 Mack Cf Fire Engine

[thetodd717]

This is the story of my recently acquired 1968 Mack CF pumper. The truck started at the Chagrin Falls Suburban Volunteer Fireman's Association (a real mouthful I know) in the Village of Chagrin Falls Ohio east of Cleveland. The Fireman's Association (CFSVFA Inc.) is actually 2 separate fire departments. The Village of Chagrin Falls itself has a volunteer department, and the Association also contracts with 5 other communities for fire service (and now EMS also). My Mack was Engine 1, the first due engine for a number of years at the CFSVFA. In 1982, the truck was sold to the Village of Chagrin Falls. Basically, the truck stayed right where it was, but now the Village owned it instead of the CFSVFA. It was still used by the same firefighters, but now was the first due engine for any call in the Village itself, as opposed to being first for the other 5 communities. By 1982, the CFSVFA had purchased 3 other Mack CF rigs; one in 1972, a Tele-Squrt in 1974, and another engine in 1979. What a sight it must have been to see 4 Mack CF's in service together! My truck served as the Village engine from 1982 until 1995. In 1995 the truck was sold to another neighboring volunteer department and they used it as a reserve truck mostly carrying extra SCBA air bottles. In 2000, my truck was finally retired, after a long 32 years of service. Amazingly though, the truck was used very little and barely cracked 25,000 original miles after all that time! The truck in 2000 was purchased by a private collector who had it until I bought it in September of 2009. The only changes to the truck were made by the second department who added 6 strobe lights, moved the roof beacon out over the front window so the truck would fit in a small bay, added the Federal Q siren, and removed one of the booster hose reels and added an area for hose crosslays above the pump panel. The owner from 2000-2009 kept all that same stuff, but did add the Chagrin Falls graphics as he was a retired Chagrin fireman and that's why he bought the truck. Ironically I started my career as a fireman in Chagrin Falls in 2001, never having seen this truck or anything. Years down the road, I got to see the truck in parades and get to know the guy who owned it. When it came time for him to sell the truck, I was the first one calling him. Now the truck is in mine, and I feel truly humbled and honored to own such a great truck, with a great past, from the department where I started as a volunteer! My wife and I love this truck and cannot wait for spring so we can get out in it again and start cruising around town! I did remove the strobe lights so it looks more original, added some hose, and the pump still works too! The truck still hasn't past the 26,000 mile mark, so she should have a lot of life left in her! The first picture shows the truck with CFSVFA markings in 1976, and then with Chagrin Falls Village markings in 1982. The 3rd photo is of the truck with the second department. Note the roof light over the window, strobe lights on the bumper, and the Federal Q siren in the center of the cab's grille. The last 4 photos show the truck currently as it is.

[Firemack]

Todd717,

The 1968 CF was very early in the CF run, and your truck appears to be in very good condition. It is great that you got the truck from a company you served with. I always like to see them returned back to the original look that they had when they served with the original company if possible and looks like you can do that with a little more work. There are lots of CF's on the site so if you need any help with CF parts or Fire equipment that can be saved for getting your truck to have all of the original equipt etc.

Firemack

[505 MACK]

That a great looking 68 CF , I alway like the early CF's with just the bars across the front. When the rigs were rebuild they then had the full aluminum front. My Dept. in N.J. has a 1975 CF inservice with less than 15,000 on the gage. Best of luck with your Rig. Are you a member of SPAAMFAA ?

Ray

[cf685f]

What a great find. It looks like its in brand new condition!

[thetodd717]

Thanks everyone for the great comments! The truck is in real good condition, not perfect of course. Thanks Firemack for the heads up on being able to find parts and such on the site, as I will keep that in mind. And Ray, I am unfortunately not a member of the SPAAMFAA, however i believe this is something I will now need to look into since you brought it up. Thanks so much!