I’ve been following the updates on the Engine 17 project closely, especially since it’s such an iconic piece of firefighting history tied to the movie Backdraft. You can find more details about these developments on the Chicagoland Emergency Vehicle Show’s Facebook page. If you’re interested in purchasing or getting involved, feel free to reach out via private message on Facebook or comment directly on this post.

CFD Engine 69 with numbering for both Backdraft Engines 17 and 51. Photo by Tom McCarthy.

Now, let’s dive into where these rigs ended up after their service life:

• 80-287/D-372 E126 – Rehabbed to E122, later crushed in Blue Island in 1994.

• 80-288/D-373 E73 – Rehabbed to E103 on 4/2/81, not rehabbed further, crushed at Cicero Iron in 1984.

• 80-289/D-374 E8 – Rehabbed to E17/51/69, sold to Erickson Trucks-n-Parts on 8/28/96.

• 80-290/D-375 E106 – Rehabbed to E113, sold to Erickson Trucks-n-Parts on 9/4/96.

• 80-291/D-376 E22 – Rehabbed to E46, sold to Erickson Trucks-n-Parts on 9/9/96, later crushed.

• 80-292/D-377 E113 – Served as a shop spare at several stations before being rehabbed to E14, sold to Erickson Trucks-n-Parts on 8/29/96.

• 80-293/D-378 E49 – Rehabbed to E34, sold to a private party, eventually ended up with the PA FD.

Engine 17 photographed on 4-4-2004.

As for the current state of Engine 17:

• The owner believes that around 75% of the rig remains intact. About 20% of the parts need to be sourced, while another 5% require fabrication.

• It’s equipped with a full Cummins NTF 365 Turbo-Diesel engine (365 horsepower at 2300 rpm).

• However, it lacks an Allison HT70 6-speed overdrive transmission.

• There’s also a missing $1,100 worth of copper radiator cores—originally from Mesabi Radiator of Minnesota.

• It includes a functional Hale Q-2 2,000-GPM pump, though non-operational at the moment. The pump can be rebuilt using replacement parts like a PTO gear box, some pump valves, and pump gauges stripped from E14. These parts can be serviced by SPAN gauges in Wisconsin for $30 each, along with a new pump gasket set from Hale.

• It has a 500-gallon water tank and a 140-gallon foam tank added during the refurbishment.

• A 50-gallon diesel tank is included.

• The vehicle measures 35 feet long with a 178-inch wheelbase.

• The original grille was stripped but replaced with a high-quality reproduction.

• It still retains its original deck gun.

• Diamond plate and steelwork need attention but come with refurb blueprints from E-ONE.

• It has original Imron paint, though it could be repainted in a close match to the 68-69 Dodge red.

• It comes with 500 feet of 5-inch LDH hose.

• Functional lights, sirens, horns, and a period-correct Motorola radio are all present.

Engine 17 photographed on 9-15-2012.

This project is truly fascinating because it preserves a piece of cinematic and firefighting history. It’s amazing how much of the rig remains intact, even if some parts are missing. I’m really hoping someone passionate about emergency vehicles steps forward to bring it back to its former glory. Let me know what you think in the comments!