The 1939 Chevrolet VB Fire Truck serves as a rolling monument to early American firefighting efforts. Originally delivered in May 1939, this vehicle spent its working life serving a local community in Nebraska. It moved through only three private owners before arriving with the current dealer in 2025. This truck successfully transitions from a functional service vehicle to a cherished historical artifact. It retains the rugged character expected from a pre-war Chevrolet chassis.
Exterior Features and Firefighting Equipment
The truck features a classic red finish accented by traditional gold lettering and decorative stripes. While it left the factory as a chassis-cab, the later addition of a utility body made it a complete fire-suppression unit. A vintage Federal Electric siren remains mounted on the left-front fender to announce its presence. Diamond-plate running boards provide a sturdy platform for crews to move around the vehicle. The tilt-out windshield offers a simple but effective ventilation solution for the driver during long summer shifts.
Vintage Accessories and Bed Details
This 1939 Chevrolet VB Fire Truck carries an array of authentic firefighting gear on its rear rails. A wooden ladder and two vintage fire extinguishers remain part of the essential equipment package. Side-mounted spotlights provide the necessary illumination for night operations in rural areas. Interestingly, the interior walls of the utility bed feature unique painted murals that add local character. The bed floor utilizes replacement wood slats to maintain a clean and functional storage area for hoses.
Chassis and Braking Systems
The vehicle rides on red-finished 20-inch steel wheels that provide a commanding view of the road. These wheels are wrapped in Firestone tires, with a dually rear axle setup for improved weight distribution. Semi-elliptical leaf springs at all four corners handle the substantial weight of the firefighting body. Hydraulic drum brakes provide the stopping force, which was a significant feature for heavy trucks in the late thirties. This combination of heavy-duty parts ensures the truck remains a sturdy example of pre-war engineering.
Interior Layout and Gauges
The cab of the 1939 Chevrolet VB Fire Truck is a masterclass in utility and minimalist design. Black vinyl upholstery covers the bench seat, while a durable rubber mat protects the floor from mud. A simple three-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of a 100-mph speedometer and factory auxiliary gauges. For modern monitoring, an aftermarket coolant temperature gauge has been added below the dashboard. These tools allow the operator to keep a close eye on the engine during parade use or transport.
Inline-Six Performance and Engine Specs
The mechanical heart of this 1939 Chevrolet VB Fire Truck is a 216.5ci inline-six engine. This powerplant utilizes a single downdraft carburetor and an original oil-bath air cleaner for filtration. It is paired with a four-speed manual transmission that sends power to the rear dually wheels. The engine was designed for reliability and steady torque rather than high-speed performance. This setup ensured that the truck could reach emergency scenes reliably across various Nebraska terrains during its active service years.
Summary of the Pre-War Fire Icon
The 1939 Chevrolet VB Fire Truck is a rare survivor that tells a story of community service and preservation. Its inclusion of helmets, hoses, and other firefighting accessories makes it a turnkey piece for any museum or private collection. The clean Nebraska title and no-reserve status make it an accessible entry point into the world of vintage commercial vehicles. It remains a proud representative of Chevrolet’s enduring pre-war truck lineup.
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Source: bringatrailer.com
