"DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL, THIS LOT HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN FROM THE AUCTION
The origin of the Maxim Motor Company goes back to 1914 when Carlton Maxim, a member of the Middleborough, Massachusetts Fire Department, founded the company to build a fire truck for his department. Maxim felt he could make a better fire engine than the town's recent purchase. By 1920 it was an established manufacturer of fire engines and from the 1920s through to the 1980s, it expanded to small but reliable markets in the south, mid-west, west coast and internationally. Aerial ladders became a popular Maxim product with their reliability becoming so respected that the ladders were often used by other fire truck manufacturers. Howard Smith, two time author on Maxim has estimated that, all told, Maxim made over 3,000 fire engines during this period. On 9th December 1989, it ceased operation due to heavy competition but in 2009 was re-established as a brand by Greenwood Emergency Vehicles of North Attleboro, Massachusetts.
This Maxim fire truck is livered in the name of Niantic (Connecticut) Fire Department and was manufactured circa 1926. Unsurprisingly finished in red, this fire truck has two open seats and standing room at the rear of the truck for additional personnel. Still fitted with most of the original equipment including hoses, ladders, pumps, searchlight and the all-important bell, it has recently come out of a private collection. Benefitting from some light recommissioning, although further time and investment will be required should any new owner wish to use this truck on a regular basis, this is a particularly handsome fire engine and has recently been used on location at Pinewood Studios and appeared in the film 'Dumbo'.
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