In October 1929, despite the unfortunate timing on the eve of the stock market collapse and beginnings of the Great Depression, American LaFrance introduced their new custom chassis, the 200 Series Master. Much like the 100 Series before it, the new 200 Series' styling boasted a broad-shouldered cast aluminum radiator, wide, tapered hood and full-crowned fenders. The new 200 Series pumpers, aerials, hose and squad cars also featured such improvements as left-hand steering, four-wheel brakes, hollow, steel-spoked wheels, balloon tires and a fully-automatic closed cooling system. The new Master Series apparatus was powered by an improved and uprated 130-horsepower version of the company's proven six-cylinder engine. The 1929 Master Series family included 750 and 1000 gpm pumpers, city-service ladder trucks and quadruple combinations, big tractor-drawn aerial ladder trucks & water towers, and special-purpose apparatus such as combination hose cars and rescue squad trucks. [1] Production of the 200 Series eventually lasted until 1931.