Brittain’s of Dublin Built Fire Tenders for County Laois 1956 | Season 5 – Episode 69
Wheels Aug 29, 2025
In 1956, Laois County Council purchased seven Series I Land Rovers models, both 107- and 109-inch Pickups at £1,200 each, together with a number of 1938 Beresford-Stork ‘chariot-style’ pump trailers. The Land Rovers were assembled from “completely knocked down” (CKD) kits by the G.A. Brittain Group on the Naas Road in Dublin, then converted into fire appliances by a local Land Rover dealer before being delivered to the Laois County Fire Service.
CKD ASSEMBLY IRELAND
From the 1930s until Ireland joined the EEC in 1973, cars were assembled locally to avoid high taxes on fully built imports. Vehicles arrived as “completely knocked down” (CKD) kits, creating assembly jobs and supporting a light industrial sector that produced tyres, batteries, and upholstery. The policy ended with EEC membership, which removed import duties and made local assembly redundant.
BRITTAINS IN DUBLIN
The G.A. Brittain Group was one of Ireland’s leading car assembly companies, building vehicles from “completely knocked down” (CKD) kits at plants in Portobello and later on the Naas Road, Dublin. Starting with Morris cars, it expanded by acquiring Lincoln & Nolan (Austin) and Booth Poole (Morris Commercials, MG, Riley, Wolseley, Land Rover, and later Datsun). The group also operated its own network of 40 dealers.
LAOIS FIRE SERVICE
In 1956, a mixture of seven Series I 107 and 109-inch Pickup Land Rovers were assembled from “completely knocked down” (CKD) kits by the G.A. Brittain Group on the Naas Road in Dublin. Priced at £1,200 each, they were then converted into fire appliances by a local Land Rover dealer before being delivered to Laois County Council for use by the Fire Service. A private collector now owns Nos. 1 and 5 of the 1956 Series I Land Rover fire tenders formerly of County Laois Fire Services.
1956 LAND ROVER 107-INCH SERIES I PICK UP RHD EXPORT (CKD) – WITH TRAILER
Appliance No. 1 (CI 7876) remains remarkably original and comes with original equipment including a bonnet-mounted hose frame, first aid hose with reel and tank, roof frame with ladder, two searchlights, Godiva Firefly pump, brass Auto Minimax extinguisher, spare hoses, horn, siren, and a spare pump. It still has its original 1997cc 4-cylinder engine with only 10,441 miles and is offered with a matching 1938 Beresford-Stork Lightweight Trailer Pump.
Appliance No. 1 Specifications:
Model: Land Rover 107-Inch Series I Pick up RHD Export (CKD)
Date Built: 1956
Chassis: 276602985
Engine: 1997cc 4-cylinder petrol 52 hp
Engine No.: 170613853
Mileage: 10,441
Documentation: Irish logbook
Registration No.: CI 7876
Extras: Spare Godiva Firefly pump
This Series I features a solid bulkhead and chassis, vibrant fire engine-red paintwork, and an aluminium body with only minor wear and a light patina. The canvas tilt and steel hood sticks remain in good condition. The interior is well preserved, featuring three front red vinyl spade seats and two rear bench seats, all in very good condition.
The dashboard and original gauges are clean, fully functional, and reflect the vehicle’s care. Appliance No. 1 is a rare CKD example and a notable piece of Irish Land Rover history. Last taxed in 2018, it was a regular and much-loved presence in St. Patrick’s Day parades.
1938 BERESFORD-STORK LIGHTWEIGHT TRAILER PUMP
The matching Beresford-Stork is widely considered the most successful light trailer pump of the Second World War. This 1938 example, built in the distinctive chariot style, is fitted with an Austin Eight 8 hp industrial petrol engine and has been fully restored. In 1956, Laois County Council acquired several examples of this type of lightweight trailer pump, which were paired with their fleet of seven Series I and IIa Land Rovers.
Pump Trailer Specifications:
Model: Beresford-Stork Lightweight Trailer Pump
Chassis type: Chariot trailer with demountable petrol engine
Year: 1938
Engine: Austin Eight 900cc 4-cylinder 8 hp Petrol
Towbar: Eye coupling
This rare Beresford-Stork trailer pump offers a unique opportunity to elevate any fire appliance or Land Rover collection and is matched with matched with Appliance No. 1, a Series I 107 – Inch Pickup RHD Export (CKD). Its Irish Fire Service provenance and exceptional rarity make it a standout acquisition for collectors both in Ireland and internationally.
LAND ROVER 109-INCH SERIES I PICK UP (CKD)
Appliance No. 5 (CI 7902) was once based in Mountmellick with Laois Fire Services, and was restored by former Longford Station Officer Pauric Cullen. The canvas tilt is in good condition, with two small holes in the roof, and the steel hood sticks are also well preserved. The bulkhead and chassis are solid, the fire engine-red paintwork vibrant and the aluminium body shows only minor wear and a light patina. The interior is well preserved, with three front red vinyl spade seats and two rear bench seats, all in very good condition.
Appliance No. 5 Specifications
Model: Land Rover Series I 109-Inch Pick up
Date Built: 19th September 1956
Chassis No.: 122603356
Engine: 1997cc 4-cylinder petrol
Engine No.: 170614505
Mileage: 111333
Documentation: Irish logbook
Registration No.: CI 7902
The original 1997cc 4-cylinder petrol engine shows just 11,333 miles. It still carries its first aid hose reel in the tilt and several original-packaged hoses are included.
Appliance No. 5 is in excellent condition, thanks to careful ownership and dry storage. Last taxed and insured in 2018, it was a regular in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Edenderry, County Offaly.
HISTORIC IRISH LAND ROVERS
The matching CKD Fire Tenders Nos. 1 and 5, formerly of the County Laois Fire Service, together with the classic Beresford-Stork ‘chariot-style’ pump trailer are now for sale and they present collectors with a rare opportunity to acquire a matched set of historic Irish Land Rover fire appliances.
PDF brochures to these Fire Tenders & trailer and the other Land Rovers for sale from the collection of 12 vehicles are available here https://irelandmade.ie/#collection-section
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