The pumper was retired in 1979. It took Emling several years to track it down. Harvey Hartman bought the old pumper for $800. He stored it in a garage and drove it in parades for a while. Then it fell into disrepair. When a tree fell on the truck, he sold it. The new owner left it outside and the truck continued to deteriorate. It was due to be sold as scrap when Emling rescued it. The pumper is now stored in a large garage in Penfield.
"The engine is good shape," Emling said. Other parts not so much. So far, he has installed a new ignition, rebuilt the starter, put in a water pump, installed new brakes and batteries plus tires and mufflers. It needs all new electricals and a paint job, too. Emling wants to use commercial grade paint at $500 a gallon to restore the original color - sort of a reddish maroon, he said.