It would be hard to call this fire engine “new.”

The 1940s fire engine housed at the former G.H. Dunn Insurance office may look old, but it’s now in the hands of the Mattapoisett Rescue Association and about to see new life. The vehicle, made in Middleborough by the Maxim Motor Company, has been in the garage of the building at 55 County Road since March 1975. It will continue to be displayed there.

Dunn and his mother, Gail, handed the title for the vehicle to Mattapoisett Fire Chief Andrew Murray on Monday.

“My grandfather was the president of Maxim,” David Dunn, current owner of the business, said. “When my dad took over the company, he wanted to find something that would be a good logo. The truck was up for auction and he got it for $302.”

Now, the truck will belong to the Mattapoisett Rescue Association and be used for parades and other showcase events, according to Murray.

“We’re very excited to have this,” Murray said. “It’s a neat piece of history. The Dunn family has taken extremely good care of it. It’s a solid vehicle.”

Murray added that the association would run safety and mechanical checks on the vehicle as well as do some cosmetic work. He also said Deputy Chief Walter Morgado remembered being around the vehicle while it was still being used.

“Captain Paul Kelley, who passed away in August, was thrilled,” Murray said. “He reminisced about the engine when we went to see it.” Kelley served on the department for 50 years.

The decision to donate the fire engine came prior to the insurance company's relocation to 64 Fairhaven Road in Mattapoisett.

“We’ve doubled the size of the company and just maxed out our space,” David Dunn said. “My dad loved driving the truck in parades and fairs. It just makes more sense to give it to the town.” He added that other towns had made offers to purchase the fire engine.

“I think this is good,” Gail said. “It gets to stay home.”