mackdaddy

i just got back from a tour of Italy. I saw a Renault with big bold letters across the front...........French Bulldog....obviously to a truck guy it had the V8 in it. Saw another with Mack mudflaps front and back. Driver confirmed he was running the V8. All brands of trucks seem to like the V8 diesels where american makers are all in line 6

My Dad bought a 62 G model, I was only about 7yrs old then but can remember the pole in the middle of the interior roof right behind the doghouse. I dont believe the first G models had the pole. It was to keep the roof from flapping. My Dad said within a few years most of the rivets had popped out of the cab and that it was a very cold ride in the winter. I think they were an advanced looking rig for it's day. There were quite a few sold in those few years of production. I was told the issue with KW was the extruded aluminum door surrounds and that Budd sold it to Mack without KW's permission. I always thought the idea of the piece of rebar welded to the front axle cover plate for the first step was a little cheap.

A mid 70's Bulldog magazine interviewed a retiring Mack executive and he told of the tough times Mack went through in the early 60's and they tried to put together a takeover by Chrysler. The FTC shut it down due to Chrysler monopolizing the industry. Unbelievable now considering all that has taken place in mergers, bankruptcies, and the present ownership of Mack. But Mack's fortune turned quickly with Zenon Hansen coming on board and the takeoff of the R model and Maxidyne engine. But that only lasted for so long too.

To help clarify the issue, Mack designated models that could have vendor engines. There are models such as the CH and certain R models that were designed only for a Mack engine.

i was always told they got a break on the insurance in the event of a blow out the bumper did not explode with the tire. or was it in the event of an accident the bumper did not take out the front tire?

Mack is outselling Volvo this year and has in the past too.

does anyone have the colors Mack used on engines starting with the Lanova diesel up to the E7?

The recent Bulldog magazine shows several new Titans sold. The one out west to Scarsella Brothers really looks good.

Truck looks interesting!! I can see it has at least one aluminum fuel tank. Any more pics and history on it? Here is a shot of my LTL and LTH. The LTL was restored 10yrs ago and the LTH is a one owner that was parked and garaged in 1974 after nearly 20 yrs of logging in the PNW.

what year did th e4 valve head make it's debut? did they overlap for any reasons?

I think Mack has had more influence on Volvo than the other way around. Last weekend at the Kirkland show all of Mack guys sit around until the wee hours BS'n. My driver left before us and drove the 08 with an MP8 to the motel. All of the guys said that's a Mack as it went by us in the night. When I told them it was also an MP8 in a new Mack they could not believe it. It really does sound like a Mack engine of yesterday. when I bought the 08 Pinnacle it was 21k less than the comparable KWT800 that I got a quote on. I was really leaning towards a KW due to the popularity and resell in this area. We have been very happy with our truck.

When the B came out the LT's were dropped and for the West they called the B 70's the Great Westerns. They did lower the floors in the B cab for the 70 series but drivers still did not like them. I believe there was a year or two that only the B cab was offered before the L became an option.

What this will do is make the history, restoration, preservation, and collection of all things Mack just that much more meaningful. There are few icons that have such a passionate following as the Mack. At a show a few years ago a fellow came up to me and was upset with my playing of truck songs especially all of the old Mack songs. I told him that if they had sung songs about other truck brands I would play them too!! I am looking at my bulldog.......Diesel laying at my feet snoring away. He has no idea of the legacy his breed inspired to be part of a once proud and strong America! An America that was proud of it's ingenuity and products that were built to last. That took care of it's people who labored for it. Now it just fast talking politics and money making greed. You cannot tell me that Volvo could not have preserved an identity for Mack by keeping a presence in the HQ and leasing out the remaining space. And or leasing space back to preserve a dignity and expectation that a loyal following of customers have. Mack kept an office in the NY empire state building for many years just for that reason.

Regarding the position of the shutters when there is no air in the tank. Mack has it where the shutters are open but I have noticed older KW and Petes where the shutters are closed until you air up. Just switching the hoses or is the shutters built differently? I always thought it a better idea to have them open with no air so if you were pulling a hill and lost air or hose you would not over heat.

twin sticks? try workin 3.........a five, a two, and a three, with 3 150rpm splits. And as you can see.......there is no belly room. Mack got it right on this one and the aux. is closest to the driver since that is where the action is.

Here is Joe the last time he was with his truck at the ATHS Fontana show. He was pushing 90 yrs old then. He would come over in the afternoon and sit with the truck. As you can see he would draw a crowd. He is a regular truck driving poet.

you could be right and they were called Charlotte sleepers and were integral in appearance. Several in some Holtzman and Adams books too.

Did early F models have that style of bunk side window? With the profile of the R cab extending into the sleeper sure makes it look factory...........or a great custom build.

Glenn, I have been thinking about trying to incorporate the tip turbine concept into the blower (supercharger) of my two six bits cummins. On a cool morning I run with the big dogs but by the hot afternoon it's all a dog.

I visited the museum in 99 and had a great time. At the end of the day Dennis took me and my buddy to an old factory about 5 miles down the road. He turned on the lights and said when we were done to turn them off and lock the door. I would guess there was 5 acres under roof and it was full of unrestored trucks. We were there until after midnight. I have some pictures I will need to dig up. The place was heated too!!! Last I heard is that due to finicial hardships the trucks are mostly gone???

Just turned 65,000 on our CX and no problems at all to date. First day out it went back to the dealer and discovered the right side cab mount was not tightened. Probably a Volvo guy snuck across the lines and loosened it at the factory! The MP8 at 485 horses is doing well too.

Where is Dale Francisse located or contact info for him?

What is the differences in an 85 V8 vs the final years they were produced? I am eyeing an 85 and just curious.

It doesn't make sense that they move the highway line to Macungie. I purchased a new 08 Mack Pinnacle and it is the same frame/crossmembers as a Volvo and I was told that is why the were built on the same line. At Macungie they build the true Mack lineup. In fact I could not even order my new 08 with Mack tranny or rears as I was told that only the Macungie built trucks got that option. Sooooooooooooo does that really mean the end of the highway line of Mack soon? Should a bought a KW!!

Barry, How are the swithes/togos holding up on these dashes? My new 08 Pinnacle is really a sweet rig but I have to say I am a little disappointed with the switches especially at night. And I cannot understand this one but the CD/radio has a yellow/green light panel and swithes blue. Looks like @#$%^ at night in the cab. You would think the Mack designers would pay better attention to details.