Red Horse

I hav e a friend who has a super clean 89 RD-688 dump. 18 front 55 rears. Problem is frame rails have some big time cracks. ahe has a quote of 20 grand to replace both rails. Alternative is to cut the outer rail at back of cab (at 45 degree angle) and have Adams from Vt. punch new rear sections and weld in. Any opinions. They did rails for a friends single axle B-81 and their laser drill job was right on- no reaming of any holes.

Every now and then I'm rummaging through a box of hardware and come across a piece with a Spags sticker on it. Truly an "institution" where his bargains were usually genuine as opposed to the China crap we find today. Of course Spag lived in a time when we still made stuff in this country-or if we had stopped making it, he ended up with the old inventory that had been sitting in a warehouse or a storage trailer for years.

Ok-and didn't Ford also have a gas turbine at the 64 Worlds Fair? seems like that was a lot more "practical" vehicle than the GM version. they then actually had their turbine in a W series that was in used in the Ford internal fleet . What in any case killed the further development of turbines for trucks?

Look at it this way Mike- sounds like you had a PM and they found a bad hose. Better that they found it on a PM then going down the road. Rest easy-as everyone says- the b will still be there

Matt, Do you know if Plunske has any of his old Ford Super Dutys? (I'm talking like T-950 etc)

Curious- a Wreckmaster Certificate is issued by?? Govt agency? Towing association? I see some pretty young kids running around and sometimes wonder about their qualifications.

Hmnn! These guys should take a trip to Cortland NY. I would have to believe that there is a faction within Daimler that is saying..."make my day". When the union leadership recommends ratification and the rank and file turn it down, not a good sign

Beauty-now that picture looks like it was taken at a Rockbusters event?? Ted Valpey's grader in background-and old Bantam 'hoe on a lowboy?

Yes-but what Cummins??

Must be lost? Or a demo contractor bought it?

Interesting observation. Amazing how the "new broom" surrounds himself with people he is comfortable with. Can't say that is a bad thing-unless "new broom" doesn't have that good a feel himself for the job at hand.

Hah in your case it was called "community service"

10-4 Matt-

Well I went to the wake this afternoon. Only hours were from 3 to 7 so I knew it would be very crowded. The funeral home that handled this told the family they could not accommodate the traffic at their parlor so it was held in the church-big church plenty of parking. Casket was open and Dave was wearing a black suit-and his trademark "Cat" baseball cap-classic! I mentioned to his family how I had done a late post on his passing last night and by this afternoon there were over 20 hits. And more importantly many nice comments from guys who really did not know him but were appreciative of the time Dave gave them at shows etc. Your words guys were welcomed. Attached are shots of Dave's last project- F-230D that was done to match Dave's first new truck many years ago. It was parked in front of church and I was told it followed hearse from funeral home. This truck was typical- I remember stopping at the shop when it was a work in progress and Dave was very proud of the fact that he had located some new I-H gauges that some dealer in the mid west had-the 'thrill of the chase" meant a lot to him. Wish I could have know him a bit more.

Here you go Matt-civic duty!

Another bit of bad news. Dave Mauro passed away Thursday night after a long battle. Our fraternity has lost another great guy who took great pride in his fleet-both his show trucks as well as the trucks/equipment he used in his business. Rest in piece Dave.

Hi Matt-EJ, hated to miss it-one of my favorite shows- but the B was in the town's 275th anniversary parade today. And for sure the newest Manchester truck is a beauty. Macungie was its first show-enroute home from previous owner in VA. Bob

Monkey See-Monkey Do! Same old story- White did it to Sterling and Diamond Reo-after they did it to Reo?, Mack did it to Brockway, Daimler did it to Sterling. "Synergism" is the buzzword of the day-unfortunately. Was at the Mack Museum over the weekend- impressive changes-but I get that same uncomfortable feeling.

How about it KSC. think this might be an opportunity for Ford and Navistar to kiss and make up. Hate to see another American co. bite the dust. When you look at all the partnerships, you get the feeling that going it alone is getting tougher and tougher.

Are these American designs? (4000 series, terrastarsetc?)

Just got back from Macungie -600 plus miles in two days- unfortunately I think ATCA missed an opportunity. Remember at Springfield they finally passed out windshield cards that you could post your e-mail ID on. good idea. While I did not take my truck down, it would have been nice to notice some "e mail handles" on some windshields.! Actually only truck I recognized was Maddog's-and I forgot to leave a card on his windshield. One other thing, IMO the Mack museum has been further improved-at least since my last visit. The "Mack Theater" had a good show that did a good job of hyping "Mack Pride". actually made me forget that there are some guys in Sweden who probably have other ideas. And for those who didn't make it to the museum, a buddy of mine told me about "500 white chassis" that were sitting in the back lot of Macungie plant. Well in the museum they had what I imagine was one of those trucks- huge Granite, 12:00 x 24 rubber-yes 24!, not 24.5, equipped with dual front ends-and NO DEF tank-headed for Mexico! Yeah shame on me-no picture.

Welcome from Bolton Ma

The L is Dan Melone's. Tough weekend-he blew a radiator hose, then taking it from his house to his barn he ran out of gas!

So Paul--What/when was the "Falmouth show"??