Cincinnati isn’t known for being an automotive city, but one car brand from the postwar era was headquartered there: Crosley. Dig into Crosley’s history and you’ll discover several new-fangled or pioneering features, but did you know Crosley built a fire truck? This 1952 Crosley fire truck (Lot #511.1) will cross the block with No Reserve at the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Scottsdale Auction, January 18-26.
Truth be told, this is not quite a real firetruck, so suspend your disbelief—this Crosley hook and ladder was built for the Overland Amusement Company of Lexington, Massachusetts, who purchased the cab and chassis from Crosley for a fire truck amusement ride at the Catskill Game Farm in New York.
This frame-off restored Crosley fire truck features a red exterior with gold leaf-painted letters, and the original teak bench seats and ladders were duplicated using teakwood. The original axes were MIA, but period-correct ones (engraved with “Kiddie Fire Dept.”, no less), were acquired. Power comes from a rebuilt 44ci OHC inline-four offering a robust 26.5 horsepower. A three-speed manual transmission and nine-inch Bendix hydraulic brakes play supporting roles.
Since restoration, this fire apparatus has visited several concours d’elegance plus has garnered AACA awards for Junior, Senior, and Preservation designations. What does its future hold? That’s up to you, so be sure to step up to the plate and bid on this 1952 Crosley fire truck at the upcoming Barrett-Jackson 2025 Scottsdale Auction.
To register to bid at the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Scottsdale Auction, check out the various options here.
