In 1946, the Boca Raton Fire Department received its second fire engine—a Peter Pirsch and Sons Co. apparatus built on a Chevrolet chassis. This engine followed "Old Betsy," a 1925 American LaFrance, which had served as the city’s sole firefighting apparatus for two decades.

The order for the second engine was placed on May 14, 1945. Initially, the engine was specified to be built on a Ford chassis; however, this was later amended to a Chevrolet chassis, likely due to post-war availability. At the time of the order, World War II was ongoing, with the United States preparing for a potential invasion of the Japanese mainland. Following the sudden conclusion of the war in August 1945—after the deployment of atomic bombs—the U.S. military canceled numerous contracts, releasing a surplus of equipment and materials, including vehicle chassis.

It is believed that the Chevrolet chassis used for this fire engine may have originally been produced for military use. Evidence of its military origins can still be seen in remnants of olive drab paint in areas such as the engine compartment and around the driver’s area. With the availability of these surplus chassis, Peter Pirsch and Sons Co. adapted the build accordingly.

The fire engine was delivered to Boca Raton in August 1946 and remained the department’s frontline apparatus until approximately 1960 or 1961, when a third engine was added to the fleet. The 1946 engine continued to serve in various capacities until it was decommissioned in 1974 and subsequently sold.

After its retirement from service, the engine was reportedly acquired by a volunteer fire department near Ocala, Florida. From there, its exact path is unclear, but it is believed to have eventually been relocated to Long Island, New York, where it may have been displayed as a lawn ornament on private property. Artwork on the vehicle dated 1993 suggests it remained in place for a considerable time.

Around 2018, the fire engine resurfaced when it was identified by a private individual who traced its origins back to Boca Raton. The owner contacted representatives of the department to offer its return, and the engine was ultimately brought back to the city, reconnecting it with its historical roots.