S.P.A.A.M.F.A.A. (Society for the Preservation & Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America) was founded by Richard "Dick" A. Horstmann and a small group of friends in Syracuse and incorporated in the State of New York in 1958. Thank you Dick for your wisdom and your foresight.! S.P.A.A.M.F.A.A. now has members throughout the United States, Canada and 7 other countries. This ex-Montreal, Quebec 1927 Seagrave 1000 gpm pumper was immaculately restored to original condition by Eric "Mr. Seagrave" A. Sprenger & son Alec who collectively spent more than 14,000 hours over a period of 9 years to complete the restoration. Eric Sprenger, retired mechanical engineer in hydraulics has over the years, accumulated more information on Seagrave than anyone. Eric is one of S.P.A.A.M.F.A.A.'s Founding Members and recipient in 1972 of the Society's highest honour, the William L. Robinson Memorial Award. His 1927 Seagrave is pictured above at her muster debut in Valhalla, NY in 1976. A Special Judges' Award attested to her perfection. Eric who resided in Prescott, Ontario passed away peacefully in May 2000 at the age of 92. He always lived life to the fullest and to the limit. Dad you will always be fondly remembered.

In her day she answered as # 25 pumper. She was one of 13 of Montreal's model "F" Seagrave pumpers. These powerful (for their day), 130 HP, 6 cylinder, dual ignition, ordered with chain drive to manouver through deep snow, centrifugal pumpers, formed the backbone of Montreal's pumping engines. At the third alarm fire of the Western Canada Flour Mills in Montreal in April 1931, Montreal's # 30 Seagrave ran wide open with 5 streams for 19 hours. Later on at the fire when a steamer broke down, # 30 was recalled and again ran 5 streams for an additional 142 consecutive hours, setting a new all-Canadian record for continuous pumping. These engines were frequently called upon to answer out of town calls at major fires. For long distances such as Trois Rivieres & Québec City they were loaded onto special C.P.R. trains. "Mr. Seagrave's" model "F" pumper can be seen at the National Museum of Science & Technology in Ottawa.

W. Alec Sprenger Founding Member S.P.A.A.M.F.A.A. / President CustomTec Fire Apparatus.