Apparatus

1921 IFD Stutz Pumper

1921 IFD Stutz Pumper

1921 IFD Stutz Pumper

The Stutz Fire Engine Company of Indianapolis, IN was founded in 1919 by Harry C. Stutz and Harry Campbell. With a reputation for quality, serviceability, and durability, Stutz fire engines sold well around the nation, especially in their home city of Indianapolis.

This 1921 IFD Stutz Pumper was built as a 600 GPM Triple Combination Pumper Model B with a 6-cylinder Wisconsin engine. It was delivered to the Indianapolis Fire Department in 1921 and assigned to Station No. 18, designated as Car No. 145. In 1939, the pumper was reassigned to Station No. 24, and then placed in reserve four years later.

Near the end of World War II, the Stutz was taken out of reserve and assigned to Tyndall Towne at Stout Field, a temporary housing site for servicemen returning from war. After three years of service at Tyndall Towne, the motor failed, and the rig was removed from the housing site.  The Stutz was placed into storage at IFD’s shop on June 1, 1951.

Repairs were made on the Stutz; the original 6-cylinder Wisconsin engine was removed and replaced by a rebuilt 54.2 horsepower 6-cylinder Hercules engine. After this restoration, the rig was returned to service in Tyndall Towne on March 6, 1953.

The Stutz stayed in service at the housing site until the late 1970s, when the pumper was loaned to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis for their Fire Gallery display. Before being put on exhibition, the pumper was repainted by the North Central High School body shop. The Hercules engine was replaced by a refurbished 4-cylinder Wisconsin engine from Franklin, Indiana, similar to the rig’s original motor.

After the Fire Gallery exhibit closed at the Children’s Museum, the Stutz was returned to service at Tyndall Towne. The Stutz joined the collection at Koorsen Fire Museum in 2021.

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