The Avondale Fire Company, located in Chester County in the southeastern corner of Pennsylvania, was founded in 1887 and incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1902. This is an all volunteer organization with approximately 50 active volunteers responding to 600 fire calls and 1300 EMS calls annually. Avondale Fire Company covers 35 square miles of urban, rural, and light industrial area with portions of the busy US Route 1 and PA Route 41.
In 1957 the company purchased a Dodge Power Wagon chassis. The brush truck body was taken from and old Studebaker acquired from the Talleyville Delaware Fire Company. Members of the Avondale Fire Company mounted the body themselves on the new Power Wagon. Origionally painted red, in the early 70’s Avondale decided on the white over Chrysler Lime Green paint scheme.
Southern Chester County is the Mushroom Growing Capitol of the world. Since the area mushroom growers were such great supporters of the Fire Company it was decided that the mushroom mural would be placed on all the trucks. “Pee Wee” as the Power Wagon was affectionately named remained in active service until 1983.
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First Gear produced 600 of this 1/30 scale replica in September 2003. The scale replica is fairly accurate of the truck that Avondale had in service. Since First Gear used the actual paint numbers from Chrysler and copied the graphics from old photos of the Power Wagon, the paint scheme and lettering are perfect. Avondale’s Power Wagon had “Pee Wee” painted on the front bumper and had the winch as does the model. The members of the Avondale Fire Company are in the midst of a Capital Campaign to raise funds to construct a new firehouse and the proceeds from the sale of this model are earmarked for the Capital Campaign. These models are being sold for $50.00 + 6.00 (US) S&H. If interested in purchasing one of these trucks send check for $56.00 payable to Avondale Fire Company Capital Campaign P.O. Box 861, Avondale, Pa 19311. Please mark “Pee Wee” on the envelope. I’ve sent models of this Power Wagon to Canada and Europe so far and would have to quote the shipping. Anyone interested on overseas quotes or with questions pertaining to this replica can E-mail John Morris lonecrest@comcast.net
