The officer made it clear that I could not drive the 109 unless the blue lights were either removed, or covered. So, for the next couple of years I placed white plastic bags over the lights. It looked pretty comical, but what could I do? At the 2007 Daffy Parade we again had great fun with the lights sans white plastic bags. Some how the bags didn't make it back into place right after the parade, either. As a matter of fact, it was in September that a Massachusetts State Trooper pulled me over and quite forcefully told me that if he saw me again with those blue lights in place, he would personally climb up and rip them off the roof (he was a little overzealous and getting a little frothy at the mouth.) He simmered down a little and gave me a $350 ticket which he explained was a bargain because there were some other issues – such as the front license plate residing in my side pocket and not on the front fender – that he was going to overlook for now. The lights had become a significant issue. That winter, the idea of returning the 109� to its original pastel green, which the interior had retained, was looking pretty good. Of course that would mean obliterating the Palfau Fire Dept. insignias. However, I could keep the really neat Bosch spot light, and of course, I suppose, the blue lights had to go. I did receive some resistance from friends that felt I should not change the character of
the vehicle. After consideration, I felt that I was merely removing most of the Rosenbauer conversion and returning her to how she left Solihull. And so it happened. I retained all the Rosenbauer components should some future owner want to re-convert back to a fire tender. She almost looked like a new car!! For the April 2009 "Daffy Day Parade" our theme was "The Queen". In the biopic, Queen Elizabeth did, after all, drive a 5-door. I donned the rented kilt and long socks in my role as Prince Philip; Kathy waved royally in her kerchief, large sunglasses and regal outfit for as Queen Elizabeth. British flags completed the scene. P
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