The John Morris Fire Engine - The Oldest Champ in a Rally

Morris fire engine was built by the famous fire engineers m/s. John Morris and Sons Ltd of Salford, Manchester in 1914. Only two Morris-Bellsize fire-engines are known to exist in world today. Apart from the one with National Rail Museum, New Delhi, a 1912 model is preserved by the enfield and district veteran vehicle. The fire engine was preserved at the Enfield and District Veteran Vehicle, Whitewebbs Museum of Transport, Clay Hill, London. The John Morris Fire Engine is water cooled with 4 cylinders, 80 horse power with carburator solex 52 n/n. It has a gear box with 4 forward speeds & 1 reverse. The transmission is chain driven from gearbox to each of the rear wheel separately. The shrewberry challiner solid tyres which have a measurement of 34” diameter, 11 feet wheel base. It is powered by an electric 12v battery, with 2 head lights, 1 rear light, 1 search light and 2 side lamps. The maximum speed of John Morris is about 40mph on level and it can ascend a grade of 1:5. The crude weight is about 4 tonnes which is equally distributed on all 4 wheels. It is equipped with ajax gun-metal turbine pump. The pump is directly driven from engine without intermediate gearing through lever below driver’s seat at a speed of 1150rpm. It can deliver 400 gallons of water per minute.

Here you see the John Morris Fire Engine going for "The Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally" 2013. The rally is an annual vintage car rally in New Delhi and Kolkata and the oldest. The first edition of the rally took place way back in 1964 in Delhi and was later also held in Kolkata in 1968. It could be described as a festival, rather than any gathering of classic cars. The event includes, a drive through the city where cars are assessed for originality and performance on the road section; display of period and fancy dress; grand parade and live music.