Ward LaFrance Ambassador

The Ambassador was a custom chassis built by Ward LaFrance Truck Corp. Introduced as the Mark I in 1962, the series was subsequently renamed Ambassador. It was used as a chassis for pumpers, various types of aerial device and airport crash tenders. Production continued until Ward LaFrance ceased operations in 1979.

The Ambassador earned a degree of television fame on the 1970s show Emergency! In the show's 3rd season, Universal Studios was presented a 1973 Ward LaFrance Ambassador for use on the show as Engine 51, after which it appeared in every episode. After Emergency! ended in 1977, the pumper appeared in a number of television and movie productions before it was transferred to the Yosemite Fire Department. It is now housed in the Los Angeles County Fire Museum.