1929 Dennis 30 CWT Flatbed

Offered by Brightwells | Leominster, U.K. | July 10, 2019

Photo – Brightwells

Prior to becoming a major player in the British commercial vehicle industry with vehicles like buses and firetrucks, Dennis was actually a passenger car manufacturer for a few short years between 1898 and 1904.

It was in 1904 they went full-truck and never looked back. They remained independent until the 1970s when they went through a series of ownership changes. As the years wore on, their products became more specialized, but they still made buses. In 2004, after 100 years of truck manufacturing, the brand ceased to exist when it was merged with Alexander to form Alexander Dennis.

This particular truck started life with a dairy company and was later used as a promotional vehicle. It’s powered by a 3.1-liter inline-four and should bring between $12,000-$19,000. Click here for more info.

Update: Not sold.

1930 Dennis Fire Engine

Offered by Coys | Ascot Racecourse, U.K. | April 21, 2012

John & Raymond Dennis set up shop as Dennis Brothers Ltd in 1895 in Guildford. Originally, the sold bicycles before building their first motor-powered tricycle in 1899. Four-wheeled cars followed in 1901 and commercial vehicles – beginning with a bus – in 1903. The first Dennis fire engine was built in 1908 and the company had found their groove. Passenger cars disappeared by 1915.

Buses and fire engines were their specialty and this 1930 fire engine features a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and it is in the livery of what is believed to be the original department, County Hospital Prestwich. There is a lot of attractive brass and many period fire-fighting items, including antique extinguishers, ladder and a trailer pump.

The Dennis company has gone through a serious of corporate mergers since 1972. At one point, it was split into three separate companies, with Dennis Bus and Dennis Fire being merged back into one another and re-branded as Alexander Dennis in 2001, the form in which they currently exist.

Fire engines are great collectibles – they usually don’t cost all that much and there are a ton of them out there. Dennis is a recognized brand name among fire equipment collectors and this one shows well and would be great for parades – the most common duty retired fire trucks serve. Coys estimates that this will sell for between $15,000 – $24,000. For the complete description, click here. And for the rest of Coys’ Ascot lineup, click here.