50 Years in Action

In 1962 the light fire truck „LF 8“ moved into its new accommodation in the fire station Ilvesheim, near Mannheim. The relocation was solemnly accompanied by a marching band.

1981, about 30 years later, the L 319 was replaced by a new vehicle.

The past decades and the numerous operations and assignments didn’t leave the reliable workhorse unaffected. Nevertheless, the LF 8 is more than an old machine for the local fire fighter group. They associate a lot of good memories with the L 319 and due to that the vehicle was still used as “second cast”.

In 1994 the local fire brigade committee decided to take the old vehicle out of service. According to a ballot the majority voted in favour of a restoration of the classic car.

Due to the lack of money the project had ceased to process. After three years of hibernation the fire fighters started a new attempt and collected donations in their group. They gained about 1.310 D-mark. In 1997 the planned restoration called the attention of Ilvesheim’s honorary citizen Heinrich Vetter.  “The project is a very nice thing but they will need a lot more money”, he commented the fire fighters’ plan and donated around 1.500 D-mark.

The total amount of the donation was enough to get a replacement transmission and paint. Finally, the work could start. A young painting expert gave the crew advice concerning the preparatory work and consequently he also made the lacquering. The crew lost a lot of time and effort for the search of the small parts. But with the support of the community the project proceeded. The local shoemaker reproduced the leather straps. Others welded old parts of the carriage and repaired the engine, the gear box and also the brakes.

Meanwhile the vehicle can be seen up to three times a year at different classic car meetings. The car is also in action at different assignments of the veterans or as a wedding coach for the fire fighters. The vehicle and its historical equipment not only offer an interesting insight into the history of the local club for younger fire fighters, it is also a real highlight for classic car and technology fans.

http://www.feuerwehr-ilvesheim.de/