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SEARCHThe 1959 FWD snow thrower served Putnam County’s Department of Highway and Facilities for nearly 40 years before the restoration project began.
The vehicle was originally purchased new by Putnam County on December 15, 1959.
Photo: Putnam County Department of Highway and Facilities
The Putnam County, New York, Department of Highway and Facilities announced that it has completed the restoration of a 1959 FWD snow thrower following an inventory check of the county’s snow equipment.
The vehicle was originally purchased new by Putnam County on December 15, 1959. The vehicle was in service for almost 40 years and served from 1959 to 1998 where it sat dormant since.
After discussions between Commissioner Fred Pena and Fleet Manger/Chief Mechanic Chris Vitiello the restoration project started in 2017 as a part-time effort to determine if the classic could come back to life. With that, the vehicle was towed to the county's Lead Diesel Mechanic, Lonny Vlashi.
Vlashi investigated and restored all major systems, including both gasoline and diesel motors, the snow thrower, and the entire drivetrain. With Vitiello’s help in finding some rare missing parts — which cost the county about $5,000 — Vlashi proceeded to rebuild all major mechanical and brake components, and then painted the classic to its current “presentable” condition.
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