Excerpts from wqad.com: Silvis firefighters are now working on a unique and meaningful project: bringing an 84-year-old fire engine back to its original condition. This historic vehicle, once a vital part of the city's emergency services, is now being restored by the local fire department as a tribute to its past. The American LaFrance fire engine was originally purchased by the city in 1939 and served as a frontline unit until 1964. Its faded paint still reveals that it was once engine #2. Over time, the truck fell into obscurity, eventually ending up in a barn where it was discovered years later. "It was traded in and kind of disappeared," said Silvis Fire Chief John Winters. "We think it was sold to a farmer who used it for watering crops or providing water for animals. It was found in a barn years later, which is how we got back in touch with it." The fire department first learned about the engine a few years ago when a man reached out, planning to restore it himself. He noticed a plaque on the side that listed the names of the 1939 mayor, fire chief, and aldermen. After some time, he decided to sell the engine back to the Silvis Fire Department, giving them the chance to preserve its history. The goal is to restore the engine as closely as possible to its original state. "We’re going to have to take it apart, sandblast it, and repaint it," Winters explained. "We’ll check the mechanical systems soon to see if the motor still turns. If it does, that’s a big step forward—we can rebuild it and get it running again. If not, we may need to explore other options." Most of the restoration work will be handled by the firefighters themselves, but they plan to hire a professional to hand-paint the original gold leaf flake design on the engine, which is a key part of its historical look. To fund the project, the department is organizing fundraisers and has set up a donation account titled “Silvis Fire Department Brotherhood Fire Engine†at Black Hawk State Bank. They hope the community will support their efforts to preserve this piece of local history. Metal Frame,Metal Sheet,Silicon Steel Plate,Mild Steel Plate Suzhou Gold ant Precision Sheet Metal Co.,Ltd , https://www.jmysheetmetal.com