1928 American LaFrance Pumper
Lawrence, Kansas Fire Dept
 Before we started the restoration ... |  .. a better view from the side |
 Some remnants of the original gold leaf survived an earlier repaint, and provided a few clues to the proper restoration. Investigating a truck's |
 Doug is applying the gold leaf to the rear of the fender. The gold comes on sheets that are 3 1/2 millionths of an inch think, and when lifted from their paper carrier will break up and fly away if not handled properly. |  Dale is striping the edge of the fender, |
 The fender striping is complete, and the pounce pattern has been made for the gold leaf size. Although barely visible in the photo, the decorator has created a pattern, then perforated holes along the lines of the pattern, then laid it in place and tapped a white powder through the holes and onto the metal, creating a pattern to paint the gold size on and |  The finished fender scroll makes the struggle to get there all worthwhile! Using 23kt gold, lettering enamel, asphaltum (shading) and clear coat the decorator (Doug Klink) created this beautiful scroll- it was one of 6 scrolls on the truck. Doug took more than 3 hours on this scroll alone, broken up into small segments of time as the size or paint dried. Some
scrolls were optional on early LaFrance fire trucks. While the hood and
hose bed scrolls were a standard item,
seat, fender, toolbox, and frame scrolls were
not. They could be ordered by the fire department as an added item.
Hood lettering was also special ordered for
each rig but was included in the base price of the truck.
|
 The gold size is setting up to be leafed (the shiny area). Gold size is similar to paint, but is clear. Depending on the type of size used, the decorator must apply the size, then continually check for the proper tack that will hold the gold onto the vehicle before it is clear coated. Although gold doesn't have to be covered, it generally is for fire service applications because of the high degree of abrasion and use, to preserve it as long as possible. Gold leaf has been known to outlast a vehicle if applied properly. |  Hose bed in paint booth with reference photos attached. The 23kt |
 Now, the details have been added, ready for clear coat. The stripe at the bottom of the bed is split where the fender will be positioned. Gold is not laid unless it will be seen and appreciated, thanks to the time and cost involved with hand laid gold leaf. |  Detail of the corner scrolls. White outline and two tone green |
 The restored crankcase has been installed into the frame. |  After installation of the cylinders and accessories. |
 An open view of the pump before installation |  Leafing and striping the pump housing before installation |
 In the paint booth awaiting a clear coat. Note the radiator in place |  Once the cowl was in place, the pump could be lifted in as well |
 Ready for the bed to be added |
 The hose bed is finished and mounted in place |  Close up of the scroll work and bed decoration |
 Leafing/striping of the suction hose tray & fuel tank. |  Seat/steering wheel installed. Seat is not completely finished yet |
 The
front fenders are done with the rear fenders awaiting a coat of clear
before mounting. The seat, dashboard, fuel
tank, pump, and engine are all complete. The hood is awaiting lettering
and a coat of clear and the running boards
need to be installed but it's getting very close to being ready to hit
the muster
circuit this summer.
|  The
dashboard of the ALF is finally done. Wiring is the next step.
The speedometer is not functional because the wheels had been switched from
wood spoke to cast steel. This was common since the wood wheels
didn't stand up well to heavier loads and
high speed turns. Unfortunately, the steel wheel kit available from ALF
didn't
include a speedometer drive gear. |
 The hood lettering and striping is complete. Note the 2 different fonts used on the hood (letter styles), which is reproduced as shown in the factory photo. |  Top view of the beautiful hood panels and fenders. |
