Red baron - Legends - Inside Racing 2011 - Ep.15

Thomas Bell -- on the trail of the very early motor racing pioneers. His racing machine: an American La France from 1916 - Bell's 'Red Baron'! The vehicle has a 15-litre engine that delivers very nearly 130 PS and a racing history of nearly 100 years.

[tootsnpurple]

We met this fantastic couple in 2011, I doubt there is anything Thomas Bell couldn't do, the guy is amazing.

[carlisle]

That is one well done 1920's American LaFrance fire truck that they converted into a replica race car. Nicely done.

[cuttersgoose]

I’ve got 3 of these, 2 1919 and one 1924...

[amlafrance]

You are indeed correct. It is NOT a 1916, judging from the steering box, hood, Radiator, headlamps and dash etc. No way to know for sure if the Registration tag is missing or altered. It is most likely an early 1920's model. It's funny how none of the American LaFrance speedsters are from the twenties, they are always from the teens.... Very annoying to those of us who actually own a teens model. Could be from the teens and just has had everything changed out but I doubt it...

[amlafrance]

Where do people come up with this stuff!!!    None of this is correct!! This is a 1920's Fire Engine stripped of it's fire equipment to make a speedster.  American LaFrance never built racers, and this machine, was never involved in ANY historic races. This Bell dude is a total GOOBER to keep repeating this garbage. FYI, I own  3 Chain Drive LaFrances (1918 FIre Engine, 1919 Speedster, 1922 Fire Engine) So I know WTF I'm talking about....   After watching this, I am hoping that all this mis-information is due to a bad translator, and not because Mr. Bell, or the interviewer are both FOS.