Jim Fair
The driver side view of the 1941 Chevy Pumper fire truck shows the siren, seats, ladder, gauges and body restored to mint condition.
Jim Fair
Taylor is amused as Chief Harvey sounds the siren.
Jim Fair
The striping, decals and buffing were the final details completed less than 24 hours before the restored fire truck was to be displayed at the Benson Classic Car Show at Greer First Baptist Church Saturday.
Jim Fair
The wood, seat and entire back of the pumper truck was restored. Public donations and volunteer services provided by businesses and workers contributed to the project.
Taylor smiled, her parents smiled and Harvey couldn’t stop smiling.
The original fire truck that served Greer as late as 1970 in the fire that destroyed Davenport Junior High School, was back where it belonged, re-built in its entirety with old parts, many original, or refurbished.
“It’s the completion of a dream,” Harvey said. “The biggest part is done. We’re so fortunate the business and public made this possible. We really wanted to have it ready for (Oktoberfest) and this car show.”
The truck will make its formal public debut during the holidays and the Greer Christmas Parade, Dec. 8 at 2:30 p.m.
In reality, Harvey’s dream came true about 5 p.m. Friday, the last day possible Miller’s Professional Car Care could possibly have worked on the fire truck. The truck was detailed with stripes and decals and buffed as the final acts before its first public presentation at the Benson Classic Car Show at Greer First Baptist Church Saturday.
Children were attracted to the fire truck Saturday. “Some of the kids brought their parents over to see the truck,” Harvey said. Children were allowed sit behind the wheel.
Gerald Davis is among a group of associates that have worked tirelessly on the project. Wallace Sumner helped with the fabrication of the body. Scott Streetman provided the tires . . . “There have been a lot of great people involved and the sponsors have helped enormously,” Harvey said.
Davis was the fire department’s official photographer for nearly decade. “This truck is beautiful,” Davis said. “There are a few specific things we need like transmission bearings and a flywheel. We’re hoping the donations continue to come in.” The truck will be offered for schools and businesses to display and learn fire safety.
Harvey said, “The whole process was learn as you go. We had to chase parts wherever we could find them.” An example was an original chrome piece that broke on the front of the truck and had to be replaced.
GreerToday.com will publish the workers and sponsors of the project at a later date.
Greer City Council will be invited to see the culmination of a project it green-lighted Oct. 26, 2011 when Harvey announced owner Allen Cullum was offering to donate the truck back to Greer, including transportation, from his Texas home. Cullum, grandson of Greer businessman B. A. Bennett purchased the truck for recreational use. “We’ll at least bring it to council and show them what has been done,” Harvey said.
Harvey said Cullum and his family have followed the restoration by visiting during the process. A plaque will reside with the truck to honor Margaret Cullum, for whose brother the Allen Bennett Hospital was named and recognizing the family’s contribution in this project.
No public monies have been used in the transportation and restoration of the truck.
Harvey never used the truck during his tenure with the Greer Fire Department. “I remember having to take a test where I got extra credit knowing how to pump the truck,” Harvey said with a laugh.
Some little known facts:
• The Greer City Fire Department’s Centennial anniversary is 2014.
• New wood was required to rebuild the bed of the truck.
• The siren was sent to “Sirenman” in Arizona for the specialization of removing dents from light metal.
• The chrome was produced in Greenwood.
• The truck is stored at the No. 2 Fire Station at the Mitsubishi Polyester Film plant.
Want to help?
Contributions or information are directed to:
Greer Fire Chief Chris Harvey
103 W. Poinsett Street
864-848-2166
email Chris Harvey