Growing up, Mike Kalman was captivated by the lights and sirens of fire apparatus, and it's an appreciation that has evolved over the years.
"I've always loved fire trucks and other emergency vehicles ever since I was a kid. … Then when I realized what they were for and their purpose, I really wanted one," he told Firehouse.com in a recent interview. "When I got older and had the ability and skills to make one, I did."
Kalman is the owner of Kalman's Kustoms in Aurora, IL, and for about the past 10 years, he has built a variety of specialty cars, pickup trucks and motorcycles.Recently, he was able to distill his early affection for fire service vehicles into a new creation: a miniature replica of an Oswego Fire Department engine that he's listing for $27,000.
And turning a childhood love into a reality became a labor of love for Kalman. It took around 3,000 work hours for him to build the vehicle, from drawing up the blueprints to putting the finishing details on the dashboard.
"This truck took several years to complete, starting with constructing blueprints and designing a truck that was small but still able to keep details and some functions from a full-size fire truck," he said.
So what's under the hood of Kalman's 1,100-pound dream machine? Here are some of the two-seater's features:
- a metal chassis painted fire engine red with gold leaf lettering and reflective decals
- a 340-cc Honda engine that can reach speeds of up to 45 mph (an adjustable governor allows the top speed to be reduced for children)
- air brakes, shatterproof windows and seat belts
- a variety of sirens, including air horns and an older style "Q-siren"
In order to re-create fire suppression capabilities on the apparatus, Kalman fitted it with a 10-gallon water tank and a deck gun that lets the vehicle spray a continuous stream up to 30 feet for just over five minutes. The tank also includes a computer-controlled auto-fill system, and the deck gun can be operated with a remote control.
When running through the specifications, Kalman said he has run into a common question from people interested in the vehicle.
"One of the main questions I'm asked is: Does it drive?" he said. "It does drive."
Kalman said the apparatus was created as a possible show piece for fire departments for parades and other events, and some of those agencies have expressed an interest. He also has received "a ton of positive feedback from people, even if they aren't necessarily interested in purchasing the vehicle." The pandemic, however, has severely hampered business, he added.
Although Kalman designed the apparatus with an eye toward kids, he understands that the nearly $30,000 price tag might seem a bit expensive for some. But any potential owner is paying for the detail and craftsmanship involved.
"Unlike most vehicles this was not made on an assembly line or by automated machines," he said. "It was made by hand."
Currently, the Oswego apparatus—Oswego Fire Department is responsible for fire service where Kalman Kustoms is located—is the only type Kalman has built. But since putting it up for sale, he has had other departments request vehicles, and he's leaving open the possibility of constructing another emergency vehicle in the future.
Anyone interested in the mini-apparatus can contact Kalman via email at [email protected] or through Kalman's Kustoms' Facebook page.
"We will continue to sell the vehicle, and we will work with customers on price. Price is negotiable," he said.
