Classic South Hedland Bedford Fire Truck Arrives at the Finch Powerhouse
A piece of firefighting history has arrived at the Finch Powerhouse — a 1971 Bedford Fire Truck, sent by the South Hedland Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service in Western Australia. This classic vehicle made the journey of more than 4000 kilometres from near Port Hedland to the Adelaide Hills to begin its restoration journey.
The goal of this project is to give the Bedford a mechanical and cosmetic refresh, making it reliable, presentable, and ready to serve once again — not in emergencies, but at community events. The fire truck will undergo body and paint repairs, and the interior will receive restoration work and replacement parts to bring it back to life.
This isn’t the first time a fire truck has rolled into the Powerhouse. In fact, the site itself has a fitting past — it was once home to the Woodside Country Fire Service station during the 1940s. More recently, another fire truck restoration project made its way through the workshop.
Now, this newest arrival comes at a particularly special time — just days before the Finch Powerhouse celebrates its 100th anniversary. As the Powerhouse continues its work specialising in classic car servicing, carburettor tuning, mechanical repairs, and more, this Bedford fire truck stands as a proud and symbolic guest, reminding us of the community connections and craftsmanship that define the Finch story.
1940s Woodside CFS photo credit - State Library of South Australia, B 58029
