Fire Truck Logs Over 20 Years of Parade Duties
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Alan “Tater” Sessums loves driving his vintage fire truck in Christmas parades. He purchased the 1955 Maxim pumper from the City of Sherborn, Mass. over 22 years ago.
James “Tater” Sessums’ vintage fire truck has rolled in countless parades since he purchased it from the City of Sherborn, Mass. 22 years ago. The duties included 19 years straight in Winona when Tater was the official chauffeur for the mayor and board members during the Christmas parades. Appearances also included parades in Greenwood, Winona, Grenada, Carrollton and even a trip to Vaiden.
“Hell, I have more vehicles in my driveway than they had in that parade,” Tater recalled.
For the last two years, the 1955 Maxim pumper has appeared in the Water Valley parade representing the Grenada Shriners. A friend recommended bringing the truck to the Water Valley parade.
“We were pleasantly surprised,” Tater said about the Water Valley parade.
Tater drives the open-top truck from his home in Grenada, braving the cold December nights. He reports the truck will run a little over 50 MPH on the way to Water Valley.
“By the time it is has warmed up, I can get it to hit 72 on the way home,” Tater explained.
The top-out speed is only for a short stretch, he reports that the truck has new tires and brakes, but the steering has plenty of slack.
The truck was originally outfitted with a Hercules V12 gas engine. The engine was swapped in 1973, as the City of Sherbert installed a Detroit 871 diesel engine in it.
“There ain’t no telling how many thousands of dollars they spent on that,” Tater added.
The fuel gauge hasn’t worked in years and coming home from a parade this year, he ran the truck out of diesel. He poured about 10 gallons in it, and got it going again.
His only complaint about the Water Valley parade is the restriction on sirens.
“I got in a little trouble last year in the parade, I started not to come back,” he explained. “It has a progressive siren, the longer you hold the button, the louder it gets. It will take the leaves off the trees. Don’t nobody ever get in front of that fire truck but one time in a parade.”
Tater also takes his trucks to kids’ birthday parties and even weddings.
“Folks can’t believe I don’t charge for it,” Tater said.
Tater said that Maxim-built fire apparatus is highly collectible. People across the country search for the old engines and more than one buyer has contacted Tater about purchasing his truck.
“My truck is the last bonafide Maxim-built fire apparatus. In 1956, Seagrave bought the Maxim corporation and from then on they were really Seagrave built with a Maxim name on them” Tater added.
When folks ask about buying it, Tater has a quick answer.
“I tell them, ‘Have you ever heard of Bill Gates? He ain’t made enough money to buy this truck.’”
