Pierce 100th Anniversary Parade 7-13-2013

[MFD76]

The original Quantum prototype, Job Number E-8847, did look different than the production models.  It toured the show circuit as a cab/chassis unit.  Prior to being sold, the nose piece was replaced with a production style version and a pumper body added, along with a white/red paint job.  It was sold to New Martinsville, WV and later sold to the Southwest Ranches FD in Broward County, FL.

 

The Belgium, WI Quantum carries Job Number E-9284 and was the first one sold and delivered to a customer, in 1995.  Several more early production models were built as demo's, E-8884, later sold to Vero Beach, FL, E-8947, E-9024, later sold to Cottonwood, AZ, E-9025, later sold to the Fox Valley Technical College in Neenah, WI, and E-9026, later sold to Reynolds Store, VA.  All of these were built in 1995, but not sold/delivered until 1996 or 1997.

Funny story, I spoke with one of the original Quantum design engineers at FDIC a few years ago. He told me the original grill was made from tubular closet hanging rods. He told me the purchased them locally at a hardware store and cut them down to make the Quantum grill. He stated this is why there was a design change before production. I would also imagine this is why the front clip was changed on the original Quantum before being sold. We both had a good laugh as I was shocked at the basic simplistic ingenious design.


Stay Safe,

Rick