This fire truck, manufactured by the American company Darley, is most remarkable for its record-setting 60 years of continuous service, making it the longest-serving fire truck in the world to date.
The vehicle we see today was produced in 1941 and was built on a then-contemporary General Motors CLASS 4 4×2 chassis. It has a curb weight of 7.3 tons, placing it in the medium-duty category by American standards, comparable in class to today’s Ford F-450.
Early American fire trucks were traditionally painted red. However, a study conducted by the New York Department of Transportation found that red fire trucks were involved in 32 accidents per 100,000 runs, while bright yellow ones were involved in only 14.5—a reduction of over 50%. As a result, by the mid-1970s, fire departments across the United States began painting their trucks yellow. The vehicle in question was originally painted red when it left the factory and wasn’t repainted yellow until 1977.
The large intake grille and rounded front end are iconic features of automotive design from that era, while the warning lights, styled like rocket thrusters, reflect the mid-century American fascination with steampunk and futuristic aesthetics.
The bumper is rigidly connected to the extended frame rails of the vehicle, offering significantly better impact resistance compared to modern energy-absorbing bumpers.
Due to limitations in early injection molding technology and the high cost of plastic, most headlamp covers at the time were made from glass—a design feature that can still be seen on some classic vehicles today.
The tires are KTX380 models from the American brand TBBtires, which are still available on the market today.
From a modern perspective, the gear lever and handbrake appear rather rudimentary. As the truck is equipped with a fire pump, the cabin also includes a power take-off (PTO) control lever.
Understandably, given its 70+ years of service, the rubber coating on the fire hoses is now severely aged and cracked, and the wooden ladder used for rescue operations no longer meets today’s firefighting standards.
The dashboard features a simple layout, displaying essential information such as fuel level, oil pressure, water temperature, and generator output. The maximum speed indicated is 80 km/h.
The elongated external side mirrors are a notable design element. The glove compartment can be opened by pressing a button on the top—a design still seen in some modern passenger vehicles.
The truck accommodates 2 people. However, possibly for quicker ingress and egress by firefighters, there are no doors on either side of the seats. There are also no protective measures around the seating area, making it easy for occupants to be thrown off the vehicle during sharp turns.
Behind the seats are warning lights and a manually adjustable spotlight with four-way adjustment capability. Though simplistic by today’s standards, this setup represented top-tier equipment back in the 1940s.
On the rear of the vehicle is the emblem of the Rock Hill Fire Department, based in Rock Hill, South Carolina. This department was founded in 1956 by 3 idealistic young men and began as a volunteer organization, with all members serving voluntarily.
The current members of the Rock Hill Volunteer Fire Department continue that tradition.
However, the Rock Hill Fire Department was the second owner of this fire truck. It was originally purchased and operated by the U.S. Navy Fire Department in 1941.
Feature
Specification
Fire Pump Model
Darley HM500
Pump Pressure
1.0 MPa
Maximum Flow Rate
30 liters per second
Maintenance Condition
Meticulously maintained
Exterior Condition
Metal components still shine, nearly new
Both the engine and chassis were sourced from General Motors (GMC). The engine produces a maximum output of 65 kW and runs on gasoline, paired with a 4-speed manual transmission.
First delivered to the U.S. Navy Fire Department in 1941, the truck later served with the Rock Hill Fire Department before finally being retired in 2000, concluding a remarkable 60-year service life. It currently holds the record as the longest-serving fire truck in history. After its retirement, Darley repurchased the vehicle at a premium and donated it in 2008 to the China Fire Museum for permanent display.
As a 76-year-old antique, this fire truck has spent over half a century saving countless lives alongside firefighters. While its pristine appearance cannot fully conceal the wear of time, it vividly embodies the bravery it once displayed, charging into blazing infernos. Today, it takes on a new mission—serving as a cultural ambassador of firefighting history, continuing to shine within the halls of the museum.
