Collectors get fired up over antique firefighting equipment

John Muhitch grunted as he turned the giant white steering wheel, trying to maneuver his truck into a tight turn.

The effort was understandable, given the fact that his beloved ride has no power steering, is 28 feet long and weighs in at about 22,000 pounds. And that's without the 500 gallons of water it's capable of holding.

"Old fire engines weren't built for comfort, that's for sure," he said with a smile.

When he got it two years ago, the 1972 truck wasn't even running, but he's been steadily making improvements in his off hours - when he's not riding on much more modern...