Macca Oddy, Bill Muirhead, Ron Cartwright and Chris McBurnie were among the six to purchase the 1936 'Dennis Ace' fire engine from the Deniliquin brigade in 1988.
A restoration project more than 30 years in the making has been unveiled, and will now be made available for the general public to admire.
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The immaculately refurbished 1936 ‘Dennis Ace’ fire engine is owned by a local syndicate of retired firefighters and their families - Bill Muirhead, Ron Cartwright, Macca Oddy, Chris McBurnie, Paul Hussey and Lyn Rose, who took over husband Ken’s shares after his passing.
Housed in a local shed while being worked on over the decades, it has now been loaned to The Depot Historic Museum & Memorabilia Collection for display.
An open-air style fire engine, firefighters would jump on and sit along the bench seats that run up either side of the vehicle.
Along the top is the wooden ladder synonymous with firefighting images we all grew up with.
This 1936 Dennis Ace fire engine, number 240 in the then NSW Fire Brigade’s fleet, was in service for 38 years before being retired for newer models.
It was used to fight fires in four Sydney suburbs and three country communities - Young, Yass and Hillston - before being withdrawn from service in 1974.
Fire truck owners Chris McBurnie, Macca Oddy, Ron Cartwright, Bill Muirhead and Lyn Rose with current Deniliquin Fire + Rescue NSW firefighters Alex Romanin (fifth from left) and Captain Marty Smith (far right).
Ron said it was acquired by the Deniliquin fire brigade in 1975.
Initially used for competition fire training, the model was replaced in 1988.
“It was then bought by six members of the fire brigade, who began its restoration in 1992,” Ron said.
“It was dismantled, painted and some mechanicals were carried out.
“It was then put into storage for the next 27 years, during which time the duco suffered vermin damage.
“It needed repainting and further mechanical work, which was completed by Northside Restorations.”
It was in March this year that the final assembly of panels and fixtures was started, as well as the ladder refurbishment.
This was carried out by David Nolte, Macca and Ron and was completed last month.
Others who have volunteered their time to work on the fire engine restoration include Robbie Rich, Graeme Holmes, Anthony Smith, Bill Muirhead and Ray Allsopp.
The fire truck was taken to The Depot on Saturday, and immediately added to the public display.
It is one of five fire trucks included in the collection.
David Nolte and Ron Cartwright helped complete the restoration project last month.
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