1955 Dennis F15 Pump Escape LNR 900 (Eleanor)

Built in 1955, this ex-Leicestershire & Rutland Fire Service Dennis served all it's operational life at Loughborough and Hinckley. After being sold out of service in the late 1960's to a coach works at Coston near Melton Mowbray, she stood untouched until 1984 where she was found and purchased for preservation.

Over the next two years, extensive work was carried out to fully restore and recommission the appliance. This work included a total body refurbishment, strip and paint, new roof covering and a full rebuild and overhaul of the fire escape. The engine was also overhauled.

Powered by a huge Rolls Royce 6.5L straight-eight petrol engine of the B80 series, it has overhead inlet valves but unusually side exhaust valves. She returns a lowly 5-8mpg at her maximum 40 MPH and is a joy to hear!

She carries 100 gallons of water and has the Dennis No.2 centrifugal pump fitted which delivers 450/500 gallons per minute from the two deliveries. The pump and escape are all still fully operational. The ladder fitted is a John Morris (AJAX) wheeled escape which extends to 50 feet and weighs approximately 3/4 of a ton.

The coach work of the appliance is by Dennis Bros of Guildford and is in the original colours of maroon and red and was unique to the Leicestershire & Rutland brigade.

LNR900 can be driven on an ordinary car license and costs approximately £120 a year to insure. The lack of power steering and four-speed crash gearbox combine to make this a challenging but rewarding 'old fashioned' drive. She is MoT exempt.

She comes complete with current V5 and a full compliment of original accessories including ladders, hoses, search lights, brass nozzles, filters, axes, torches, saws, breathing apparatus, crank handle, blue lights, bells and sirens... All still operational!

Believed to be one of only four such surviving engines, this is an important, historic and characterful vehicle, 'Eleanor' is ready to show- or use as the most head-turning of private vehicles. Further, her museum-quality and completeness is such that she is in demand for period TV and film work.

Approaching her 60th birthday, she really is a diamond amongst vintage vehicles and is offered with a modest estimate which hopefully will ring someone's bell...