Fire engine enthusiast and voluntary fireman Raymond Galea explains to MOTORING how he was not put off by the sheer hard work involved in the nut and bolt restoration job of an old fire engine.

Classic vehicles never featured in any way on the agenda of Raymond Galea in the first sixty years of his life. A very busy self-made businessman with interests ranging from jewellery to the importation of military surplus, his spare time had always been taken up as a volunteer with the Civil Protection Department (CPD).

Sometime in 2011, as retirement beckoned, Raymond heard through the grapevine that a very old fire engine was parked in an alley in Mosta. Being a voluntary fireman himself, and deeply enamoured of fire engines, he thought that restoring such a vehicle would make his retirement garden rosy.

“The first time I set eyes on the fire engine, it was in a very sad state and definitely a non runner,” recalls Raymond. “Stainless steel, chrome and brass parts were painted over, while many items were missing. The vehicle had been imported from Japan by a local businessman, and matters were further complicated as he had already started to dismantle it. Yet, despite its chaotic condition, I could envisage its potential, and tried to buy it. Initially, the owner refused to part from it, but further down the line, we reached an agreement, and I finally purchased it.”

His family was not amused. When asked for advice, a lawyer friend – who owns four fire engines – pointed out that restoration works would cost four times the purchase price. But these negative reactions did not in any way undermine Raymond’s steely determination.

“After all, in the Civil Protection Department I am a SPIDER – special person in disaster emergency response. As such, I am on the front line in situations involving fires, floods, explosions, rescue at sea, as well as security during VIP visits to the island,” he points out. “Moreover, in the Corp, I have even built and equipped my own rescue car. So I was not put off by a nut and bolt restoration job on an old fire engine.”

Before embarking on the restoration work, Raymond thoroughly researched the origins, scope and technical layout of the vehicle. It turned out to be a Toyota fire engine cum truck model FJ, built in Japan in 1956. It was a celebratory vehicle, used to head the fire brigade column in official military and state parades. It was different from standard fire engines in that it did not carry water tanks: its hoses had to be attached to fire hydrants lining the streets. It was also roofless and had seats for six people scattered around the body.

Buoyed by the success of his first project, Raymond has bought another two fire engines from Japan, both in very poor condition, as well as a Citroen Dolly, for future restoration

Fortified by these facts, an enthusiastic Raymond set himself a target date for the completion of the rehabilitation project – December 2012, for its baptism of fire during the popular Paqpaqli ghall-Istrina event. He was determined to help out in this fundraising activity for charity, an aim which is close to his heart.

From that point on, Raymond simply went overboard in order to reach his goal. His garage became his home. He ate and slept there, abandoning everything else. The work load was truly daunting: dismantling the vehicle, removing the rust, panel beating and spraying, besides the various repair tasks the 3,870cc petrol engine required.

The clutch, brakes, radiator and silencer were among the items that had to be replaced. All the works, with the exception of the chrome tasks, were carried out by Raymond himself. While already possessing a lot of tools to do the work, many more were bought to complement them. Parts like the bell, steering, siren, spotlights, searchlights and others were sourced worldwide, from North America to Argentina, the UK to Japan, and even from Vietnam.

Raymond was obsessed with reaching his target date. But burning the midnight lamp for nearly a year soon began to take its toll. Lack of sleep, bad eating habits, the side-effects of spraying, tension and panic attacks as the deadline drew near, eventually combined in a lethal way and in November, he suffered a massive heart attack.

Rushed to hospital, he was operated on, and the cardiologist told him that he was very lucky to have survived. He stayed in hospital for a couple of weeks, which were followed by a lengthy four month recovery and rehabilitation period. Needless to say, he missed his December 2012 deadline.

In March 2013, Raymond returned to continue working on his beloved project, which he finally completed in August of that year.

The gleaming red fire engine finally made it to the Paqpaqli ghall-Istrina 2013 edition, where it was one of the highlights of the event. Since then, Raymond has harnessed his Japanese fire engine – which he claims is the only one in Europe – in a number of shows, all aimed at collecting money for charitable causes.

Wherever they go, Raymond and his beloved fire engine are the centre of attraction. Man and machine are constantly mobbed by locals and foreigners alike, all eager for a memorable photo. A special occasion that definitely stands out in Raymond’s memory is the participation of his fire engine at the wedding of a Maltese fireman and firewoman in June 2014. Raymond has also often been invited by many local councils and schools to participate with his vehicle in a number of cultural and educational activities.

While the fire engine is his pride and joy, Raymond’s wife Miriam and two of his children, Ryan and Diane, are not so enthusiastic about this addition to the family. However, his other son, Neil, has taken after his father, and is very keen on the vehicle and classic cars in general.

Buoyed by the success of his first project, Raymond has bought another two fire engines from Japan, both in very poor condition, as well as a Citroen Dolly, for future restoration. He has also purchased three military jeeps and five old motorcycles, some of which saw action in World War Two.

“My ultimate dream is to set up a Military Museum, the plans of which are already in the pipeline. In life, I have had a lot of dreams and visions, some of which have materialised. Why not this one?” he concludes.

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