Milaca Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Anyone familiar with North West Diesel of St. Cloud Minnesota? It's my understanding that they were once a Mack dealership (until the 1970's?) but lost their franchise though continue to service Mack trucks to this day. I went there this morning but the gate was closed so I may try again next weekend in order to get a brake treadle valve assembly for my C600. While there, I photographed two Mack cab over trucks behind the fence. Can anyone identify the model and years of these trucks?Notice the signage on the building stating "Central Minnesota's Unauthorized Mack Service". The building looks the same as it did 28 years ago when my dad had a C600 Mack in need of parts, although they still had a ThermoKing franchise at that time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 first ones a H63,2nd is a W71.I've got pics somewhere of that same W71 in the brush somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milaca Posted October 14, 2012 Author Share Posted October 14, 2012 first ones a H63,2nd is a W71.I've got pics somewhere of that same W71 in the brush somewhere.Can you tell me the approximate years of manufacture of each? Does the H-series share a cab with the L-series conventional trucks? I spoke to the owner of this business last Saturday but I didnt have my old brake treadle valve with, so I told him that I would return with it. I hope to speak to him again as I would like to ask more questions about the history of this place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 The H63 was built from '54 to '58,they do share a few L cab parts,doors are similar.The W71 was built from '53 to'55 and also shared a few L cab parts.These trucks are rare with only 215 produced and only 8 or so known to be left.This is my '54 W71T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog13407 Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 yup, W model is RARE!. Bob theimer use to have one in Bainbridge Ny. dunno who ended up with it after the auction and he died. i was there and remember Gary Mahan i think flying up with his helicopter, bought a few rare turcks like the white cabover BX or whatever he has then leavin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milaca Posted October 14, 2012 Author Share Posted October 14, 2012 I'll ask the owner if they are for sale and how much he would want for them. He may have some more old Macks out back behind the building though the yard is looking a bit empty from the road, maybe I can get a tour of the back lot. I recall 28 years ago he had what I believe was an LT Mack (long nose hood, similar looking to a Peterbilt or Kenworth) sitting just behind where these cabovers sit. Back then there was another entrance into the yard and one would drive right by the truck. It was painted red & white and appeared to be the prized truck in his yard. I'll ask him what became of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umodelnut Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 That cool. W's are rare. Ive never seen one in the flesh, just pictures. Ive seen a bit of H models though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GearheadGrrrl Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Walked through there a few years back when it wasn't all fenced in, they had a bunch of B, L, C, etc. models back then. Been by a few times in the last few years when they were closed and the gate locked, from what I could see seemed like a lot less old trucks back there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milaca Posted October 15, 2012 Author Share Posted October 15, 2012 Walked through there a few years back when it wasn't all fenced in, they had a bunch of B, L, C, etc. models back then. Been by a few times in the last few years when they were closed and the gate locked, from what I could see seemed like a lot less old trucks back there.I suppose with the metal reclamation yard just a block away that some of them may have been melted down when the price of scrap metal was way high. Lets hope that someone rescued them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milaca Posted October 19, 2012 Author Share Posted October 19, 2012 I stopped in at North West Diesel this afternoon and visited with Arlen (the owner of the establishment) for a short time and gave him the brake pedal & valve assembly to my 1964 C600 as he will do a search for a used replacement when he gets time. I asked him what years he had the Mack franchise and he said from 1973 until the mid 1980's. He lost his franchise because Mack insisted that he build a new dealership along the main highway which he did not want to do. When I return there, I will ask for a tour of his yard with my camera in hand (if he allows me to). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1977vega Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 I like them, I'd take both! Hopefully he's cool with doing a tour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1977vega Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 When are you goin to restore your W model, Superdog?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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