History and Overview
Carlton Maxim was a volunteer firefighter in Middleborough, Massachusetts, who also owed an automobile garage and salesroom. After his fire department purchased a Knox combination wagon, Maxim knew that he could build a better fire truck. He was right. In 1914, Maxim built his first fire apparatus. Within a short time, Maxim was delivering fire apparatus to other New England fire departments. In 1918, the Maxim Motor Company was founded.
Maxim eventually sold complete line of fire apparatus. Most Maxim fire apparatus saw service northeast. Maxim aerial ladders, however, were sold to other apparatus builders like Mack, Crown and Ward LaFrance, and saw service from coast to coast.
In 1958 and 1960, Maxim introduced two new models. The Model F was Maxim’s custom cab-forward. The Model S was a stubby and sturdy looking conventional engine-ahead design with a boxy cowl and square vertical grill. These two models gave Maxim customers two very distinct custom chassis choices.
Maxim would be the victim of poor business practices of its corporate owners. In 1989 Maxim went out of business.
