The Fire Engines that Saved our Cities & They are ALL Disappearing, Here's Why | Barn Find Hunter

Tom visits one of the last remaining fire engine restoration shops, located in rural Maine. Andy Swift, a retired New York firefighter turned vintage fire engine restorer and expert, has been collecting a wide variety of fire engines, tankers, ladder trucks, and even horse-drawn fire carriages. Andy gives Tom an in-depth tour and explains the struggles and hardships that come with such a niche job and hobby, as well as what could ultimately lead to the decline of the hobby.

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[ryanmundt]

“I’m rich in a lot of other ways.” He certainly is! What a great episode. I could listen endlessly to people like him who are so passionate and knowledgeable.

[Tmrfe]

What an absolute gift it is to have this gentleman doing what he does. He is living his destiny. We all appreciate your dedication to this craft. He needs his own show, which is probably the last thing he would want…

[birdseyeview]

I think everybody agrees that this could be an hour or two long and nobody would click off. So much more to see, and damnit, now i'm into old fire engines!

[ironthornkoncepts]

Everyone loves fire engines... they and the firemen that operate them, are superheros! Thank you Andy for saving the heroic machinery and its history, that saved so many of us from unimaginable losses. And by the way... thats a truely spectacular Christmas tree stand. Thanx Tom for sharing Andy and his wondrous collection of superheros... I want to go play in his backyard now... too much fun! Thanx! ✌😎👍

[NotoriousSIG]

As a native Mainer, thank you for showcasing my state’s car culture

[mainesail]

This fellow is a good neighbor--I've always been really impressed with his knowledge and workmanship--great guy too

[UberLummox]

@17:32 My dad was in the Nat'l Guard in '47 & was at that fire on Mt. Desert Isle.
He probably saw that truck!
He's the thinking man's car guy. Very refreshing. AMAZING place. Love how he keeps the original paint.
Thanks for the video!

[moparedtn]

I for one would love to see Tom return and give us that 8 hour documentary of this gentlemans'
establishment - the world needs all the documentation of the work of such GREAT stewards such
as Andy as it can get!!!

What do you say, Hagerty? Want to do something truly NOBLE here? *Fund that documentary!*
- Ed on the Ridge

[Formulabruce]

I could watch ALL of this 10 part series.!! Please make it!

[briandurning]

Thank you for finding this gem of a story. I would love to see you come back soon to gather and document more about this amazing man and the legacy he is going to leave.

[grahamsmith]

I truly believe that machines have souls. Thank you to this kind man for letting them tell their stories in their original skins.

[jennysolomon-haase]

This gentleman is a wealth of knowledge on these beautiful engines. My career in the fire service helped me to adore these powerhouses. It would be so great to have more videos on these.

[terrycole]

This is a very cool guy with a whole history of stories to tell thank you for sharing would love to hear more from him

[derekedgerton]

Just bought a 1955 F800 Big Job fire engine and in the process of getting back on the road. This was a great episode, that guy is my hero!

[timmcooper]

I've had the privilege of riding quite a few miles out on the road in a 1921 American LaFrance, and that 800+ cubic inch straight six, straight cut crash box, and dual chain drive are mechanical symphony. I also got to experience a 1941 Seagraves with that beautiful V12 with 5 inch exhaust and open cockpit like the LaFrance. These machines are heaven for the true gear head !!

[jasonfox]

Wow, what a collection man. History at its finest.

[notintohandles]

An absolute national historical treasure trove. Unparalleled!

[todddenio]

When I was a teenager in the 80's the town I live in still had 2 old chain driven American LaFrance fire engines from the 1920's that were used as back ups if more firetrucks were needed and until about 10 years ago they were still using a 1949 American LaFrance as a primary fire engine.

[johndecker]

Awesome episode, you got lucky with this one to just happen on it !!!
This guy has lived a life !!! And 71 ! Damn !

[matthewcox]

The styling on some of those trucks the grills Fender's running boards even the rake of the windscreen, s and cabs ....so much cool and unusual ❤