By Bob Stiles
The Tribune-Review
GREENSBURG, Pa. — It’s not your typical car or pickup truck along the road with a “for sale” sign on it.
The red vehicle in Southwest Greensburg is bigger than most -- a lot bigger -- and comes equipped with a water tank and pumper.
The 32,000-pound fire truck parked along busy South Main Street is hard to miss as motorists buzz past.
The 1981 Mack has been put on display by the Southwest Greensburg Fire Department just outside the China King restaurant in the hope of attracting a buyer.
“It’s a beautiful-looking truck, in great shape,” said fire Chief Shaun Teacher. “It, unfortunately, doesn’t meet current fire standards.”
The truck lacks the necessary enclosed cab, helmet holders and other features to meet current requirements, said Teacher, who added that the department last year used federal funds to buy a new truck.
Teacher thinks the chances for a sale are good. Thousands of motorists will pass the truck every day, and some of them may be among the many collectors of fire trucks and fire apparatus, he said.
In 2010, the fire company sold its 1989 salvage truck for $10,000 to Mihalko Fire and Water Restoration Co.
The Johnstown-based business, which has an office in Latrobe, bought the salvage unit for use as a work truck, owner Lou Mihalko said.
“They were using it for what we actually do,” Mihalko said.
It was the second purchase of a fire truck for the business, Mihalko said. A 1964 fire engine was used in parades and as an advertising tool for the firm until it was retired, he said.
Teacher said he’s hoping collectors take notice of the truck.
“They’re the same as antique cars. There are people who collect them,” he said.
Tom Methven of Hempfield, a former volunteer with the fire department, is one such collector.
Methven has 1954 and 1967 Mack pumpers in storage that belonged to the Southwest Greensburg department.
“I’ve loved fire trucks ever since I was a very small boy,” Methven said. “I love the way they look, the style, everything about them.”
Though he wants to buy the 1981 engine, he’ll pass on it this time, Methven said.
“I’m allowed to have one truck per child,” he joked. “I have two kids. I tried to use our dog (to get a third truck), but it’s not working. Two’s enough.”
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