An almost-forgotten piece of Lytton’s history that survived the 2021 fire is being restored, and the man behind the project is hoping for a little help.
Huntley Smith came to Lytton in the mid-1960s. He has always had a passion for restoring old vehicles, and would often restore old logging trucks and take them to shows.
For many years, Lytton’s 1941 International Harvester fire truck was parked behind the fire hall on Fraser Street, where it was hidden from view and exposed to the elements. The 2021 fire destroyed the fire hall, and melted a few pieces of the truck, but the main body of it survived.
Huntley acquired the truck as his next project. His intention was to restore it and return it to the Village of Lytton, so the truck was dragged out and towed to Huntley’s shop.
Along with Burt Glasgow and other community members, Huntley began the work of assessing the truck’s condition, disassembling it, finding parts, getting the engine running, and starting the body work. A new radiator was ordered more than once, as thieves found their way to his shop and stole the part.
“Burt and I had an attachment to this truck, as we did a minor restoration on it back in the 1970s for the Lytton Volunteer Fire Department,” says Huntley. “The fire truck is a 1941 International Harvester. The Armed Forces of Canada and the States acquired many of these types of fire trucks, and this particular one came from Winnipeg.”
Last spring, Huntley sold his home and shop in Lytton and moved with his wife Sharon to Chilliwack. He is committed to completing the restoration of the fire truck, and has driven up to Lytton often to continue working on it.
“This is a major renovation, and I am happy to be receiving help on this project from several local people,” says Huntley.
At this time, there is no budget for the restoration work that Huntley and other volunteers are doing. If you would like to donate to help offset the costs for this project, you can contact the Lytton village office by calling (250) 455-2355 or emailing info@lytton.ca. The Village of Lytton will issue a tax receipt upon request.
