The American LaFrance Foamite Corporation introduced two custom chassis in 1935. Confusingly despite being unrelated in design, both chassis would receive the same 400 Series identifier. Eventually the two chassis would receive unofficial designations as "Senior" and "Junior". ALF produced the 400 Series until 1938, when it was succeeded by the 500 Series.
"Senior" 400 Series[]
The "Senior" 400 Series was a large chassis powered by an American LaFrance designed V-12 engine. The majority of the 400 Series chassis were used to build triple combination pumpers known as the Metropolitan. When equipped as a pumper, the pump was located ahead of the drivers position, directly behind the engine. Both rotary and centrifugal pumps of 750-1500gpm were available, with 1250gpm being the most common size ordered. The chassis was also used to build quadruple combinations, city service ladder trucks, and tractors for aerial ladders and water towers. A handful were used to build special purpose vehicles. The majority were completed with open cabs, but a few were built with enclosed cabs or sedan style covered bodies. The larger 400 Series chassis was available from 1935 to 1940 although only 3 were built after 1938. The United States was in the midst of the Great Depression and less than 150 "Senior" 400s were completed.
"Junior" 400 Series[]
The "Junior" 400 Series was intended as a less expensive custom chassis marketed towards smaller fire departments. It was available with a Lycoming based inline 8, or V-12 engine. Like the "Senior" 400, the majority of the "Junior" 400s were built as triple combination pumpers, but the chassis was also for quadruple combinations, city service ladder trucks, tractors for aerial ladders and a few special purpose vehicles. When outfitted as a pumper, the pump was located below and slightly behind the drivers position. Rotary and centrifugal pumps of 500-750gpm were available. The pumpers were designated Type 450 Scout (500gpm), Type 460 Protector (600gpm) or Type 75 Invader (750gpm) based on the capacity of the pump. The smaller 400 series was available from early 1935 to the middle of 1938. The "Junior" 400 sold in much larger numbers than the large 400 series with nearly 300 being completed by the end of production.