Florida fire truck collector buys 1980 American LaFrance engine from New Kensington
Brian C. Rittmeyer | TribLive
Steve Vinson, 73, a retired pharmacist from Florida, bought a 1980 American LaFrance fire engine from the city of New Kensington’s fire department. A collector of fire trucks, he flew to the area Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 with plans to begin driving it home Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, with a stop in North Carolina for Thanksgiving with family.
Brian C. Rittmeyer | TribLive
New Kensington fire Chief Ed Saliba Jr. (right) reviews operations of his department’s 1980 American LaFrance fire engine with Steve Vinson at the No. 3 fire hall on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. Vinson, 73, of Florida bought the truck from New Kensington in an online auction on the Municibid site.
Courtesy of Tom Shand
New Kensington acquired a 1980 American LaFrance in January 2012. The truck had been extensively refurbished in 1992 and began its service life in New York City.
Brian C. Rittmeyer | TribLive
New Kensington fire Chief Ed Saliba (left) talks fire trucks with collector Steve Vinson at the No. 3 fire hall on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. They are standing behind the 1980 American LaFrance engine that Vinson bought from the department in an online auction.
Brian C. Rittmeyer | TribLive
Steve Vinson on Friday sits in the cab of the 1980 American LaFrance fire engine he bought from New Kensington on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024.
Brian C. Rittmeyer | TribLive
New Kensington’s 1980 American LaFrance engine leaves the No. 3 station on Victoria Avenue on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. Steve Vinson, a retired pharmacist from Florida who bought the truck in an online auction, is behind the wheel. He may bring it back to the city for a firefighter convention parade in August.
