New generation of Mack Addicts

[607t1173]

It is with much pleasure that I see younger people who appreciate something that has been a passion of mine for many years.

The respect for these great trucks is quite evident in many of the posts I have reviewed on BMT and the fact that people are so passionate about older Mack Trucks.

The important role that Mack played in the building of not only our own country but many others around the world is largely forgotten by most people.

THANKFULLY..... NOT SO FOR US MACK (nuts )or as the noun some of the more educated prefer ( aficionado's)

[mackmb212]

It is with much pleasure that I see younger people who appreciate something that has been a passion of mine for many years. The respect for these great trucks is quite evident in many of the posts I have reviewed on BMT and the fact that people are so passionate about older Mack Trucks.The important role that Mack played in the building of not only our own country but many others around the world is largely forgotten by most people. THANKFULLY..... NOT SO FOR US MACK (nuts )or as the noun some of the more educated prefer ( aficionado's)

I am 26 and not a lot of people I know understand why I got into this hobby. I always liked Mack trucks and one day I was looking at pictures on the internet and seen how many people were into old Macks and restoring these old.trucks, that I decided to join in on the fun. Your right in saying people don't understand how big a part Mack played in building this country like the Bethlehem steel did. Once again I thank Barry and the other bmt members that make this site possible for us younger generations to get involved with this hobby.

Rudy

[paul roncetti]

Hello 607t1173, I could not have said it any better...........Paul

[jakebrake86]

I'm 27 and I still remember the first Mack my dad ever bought, and the first ''real'' truck I ever drove. I was 11 years old and the truck was a 1984 Value Liner. 300, T2090, 34K camelback rears and a 13' 6'' Davis dump bed. It's safe to say I've been hooked ever since.

[xdudebrahx]

I'm 25 and was raised around construction and old Mack's. I used to go to work with my dad all the time and now years later, he taught me how to drive the Mack's I always loved and now I have a job driving a sweet 86 R triaxle. Wouldn't want it any other way!

[umodelnut]

I'm 12 turning 13 in a few days. I never grew up around Macks. I was just like every other boy, I liked trucks, but then it just kept going farther and farther and I loved Macks. Then I got to liking the U models, and my Papa bought me one back in 2010 for Christmas. So, I got my grandfather into Macks.

[mike69mackman]

Vinny were glad you are enthused with Mack trucks and carrying on the tradition of saving a large part of America's history!

[farmer52]

Wow, there are a bunch of youngins on BMT which is GREAT. Glad you are preserving the Mack tradition. Too bad more young people are not interested in preserving the past (not just Mack).

[rw613]

Wow, there are a bunch of youngins on BMT which is GREAT. Glad you are preserving the Mack tradition. Too bad more young people are not interested in preserving the past (not just Mack).

Wow, there are a bunch of youngins on BMT which is GREAT. Glad you are preserving the Mack tradition. Too bad more young people are not interested in preserving the past (not just Mack).

69 r700 with a 318 detroit and i aint never looked back

[Rich Reinhart]

I am 26 and not a lot of people I know understand why I got into this hobby. I always liked Mack trucks and one day I was looking at pictures on the internet and seen how many people were into old Macks and restoring these old.trucks, that I decided to join in on the fun. Your right in saying people don't understand how big a part Mack played in building this country like the Bethlehem steel did. Once again I thank Barry and the other bmt members that make this site possible for us younger generations to get involved with this hobby.

Rudy

I grew up in the Lehigh Valley as well but I`m a lot older than you younger guys, I had the connection to Mack through my Dad and Uncle..And it was a VERY important part of America, growing up my friends Fathers worked at Mack, Bethlehem Steel, Ingersoll Rand or many of the cement mills in the area. Mack is a true American Icon that should be preserved at every level, After all, you never hear someone say "Built like a Freightliner Truck" do you????

[Bigdogtrucker]

Good to see all these youngsters getting involved!I'm 37 and have been into trucks since I was a child.Back when I was a kid,most of us had interest in mechanical things unlike todays generations that are all about sitting around and not getting dirty...

[mackniac]

I grew up in the Lehigh Valley as well but I`m a lot older than you younger guys, I had the connection to Mack through my Dad and Uncle..And it was a VERY important part of America, growing up my friends Fathers worked at Mack, Bethlehem Steel, Ingersoll Rand or many of the cement mills in the area. Mack is a true American Icon that should be preserved at every level, After all, you never hear someone say "Built like a Freightliner Truck" do you????

yuo can't hear that about freightshaker they dismanteled themselfves !! lol omly kidding all make of trucks a very good but Mack is the best !

[607t1173]

Sadly, my children who grew up with trucks being a very integral part of their lives, now in their 40's and with families of their own have absolutely no interest in trucks. But on the bright side,they remember the days when they were young and rode along with the" oldman " in the summer and as a plus....

Got to see alot of our beautiful country ,but like me,they saw it (thru the windshield of a truck) and I've heard my sons tell their boys "oh, I remember the time I first saw California ,or maybe at another time it was the first time I saw New England , but it was always with PaPaw,on summer break, and in a tractor and trailer.

Money can't buy memories like these.

I can always hope the passion just skipped one generation and comes alive in one of my grandsons.

[tippi98custom]

im 22 and always have been into construction, trucks and what not, I saw a b model at a tractor pull at a fair last year and just had to have one. now i am in the middle of a complete restoration of the truck to have it ready for spring. Not only do they look completely bad a$$ but the history behind every b model is just amazing, if only they could talk and tell stories of what they have gone though

[Superdog]

Sadly, my children who grew up with trucks being a very integral part of their lives, now in their 40's and with families of their own have absolutely no interest in trucks. But on the bright side,they remember the days when they were young and rode along with the" oldman " in the summer and as a plus....

Got to see alot of our beautiful country ,but like me,they saw it (thru the windshield of a truck) and I've heard my sons tell their boys "oh, I remember the time I first saw California ,or maybe at another time it was the first time I saw New England , but it was always with PaPaw,on summer break, and in a tractor and trailer.

Money can't buy memories like these.

I can always hope the passion just skipped one generation and comes alive in one of my grandsons.

I don't think I qualify as a youngster anymore,45 but most days I feel like I'm 65,but still act like I'm 20.

I really don't understand how they could not have any interest in trucks.I grew up riding with my Dad and Grandpa,and can't imagine ever not having trucks in my life.I guess in my case I've overdosed,as my wife calls me a "Mackahaulic".

[diesel541]

Im 37, grew up riding and driving in Superliners with my dad. I could'nt even begin to say how many countless days and hours i have working and driving Macks. Out of the 3 Macks we had, only one is still with my dad, a 1984 with an E-9 and 18speed. In the early 90's this particular truck could out run and pull any 105,500# rig on the road, and everyone in the dump truck community new it. Sadly, the crank broke in two. The only salvaged part of that hot rod v8 was 2 heads!!! We could never get it to run out like it did......

[bluebonnet]

As a very young child my grandmother baby sitted us kids. When I got in trouble I would head to the attic of our house to escape her. She would always say when I get a hold of you little trucker you will be sorry. I never forgot that. I was 80 years old when I purchased my B.

Victor

[slpwlker]

I'm 35. Grew up in first in a B then an R both dumps, We also had a Dm, Been around Petes,A-cars,had a cornbinder, also a single cab CCC that thing was odd. My fav out of our trucks probably was the Dm and the A-car conglomaration. That truck was about 10 trucks made into one. Then I got Paccar fever and Own one but coming back around towards the bulldog if I can ever find something I want when I have the moolah.

[jackb61sx]

Turning 50 this spring I enjoy seeing younger people have a like for these old classics. I rember well to this day riding with my father as he drove his R700 twin stick up the Tobin bridge with a load of oil, heading out to a mill in western Ma. Its things like this, that that I am sure we all share and has lead to a younger group wanting to drive or restore these older trucks. For myself I have only daughters, but they love their grandfathers B-61 and go to the shows, they love to go out in the truck and want to see the truck kept in the family. My love of Mack trucks has lead me to purchase my own truck, my Superliner and growing up I was always impressed by the size and looks of that style truck. For those who enjoy, collect or restore these trucks you are preserving a piece of time, that to alot of people bring back memories of a bygone period. It always amazes me to be at a show with the B-61 and have people come up to my father and smile as they talk to him about the truck and remember an era gone by. My father is 71 and I enjoy seeing what he gets out of peoples reaction to his truck and the reaction I see from my daughters to that truck. Preserving these classic trucks Mack made through all the years speaks to durability of the trucks and the memories they invoke in people and to a new younger generation of enthusiests the torch is being passed to you to preserve these trucks.

[2stacksuperdog]

16 in June. I grew up around mostly old Macks , mostly 70's R/DM and a new 2001 RD. Always loved the older trucks better than the newer one, maybe is was that loud beep the newer ones made whereas the old ones had a buzzer anyhow i always like the old mechanical stuff to bad i wasn't around for the B-models

[vision386]

I too am thankful to see so many of the younger guys taking an interest in Macks,i was fortunate enough to grow up in a "trucking family" never knew any different. My Grandfather drove trucks all his life,and is who i credit for my lifelong facsination with Mack trucks,Pop started in an AK-6 that he bought from the man he started driving for, and other than a Brockway,never owned any other brand of heavy duty truck. My Dad also started in Macks,working for Pop,then eventually buying his own trucks,Dad owned about 16-17 trucks throughout his career,of various makes and models up until the day he died,and never forgot his "roots" i wish he had been around to see my CX! personally,i would not consider any other truck to make a living with,i started in Pops 63 B-61T,and have owned/operated 3 brand new Macks in my time. Trucking is all i know,all i ever wanted to know.I feel sorry for folks that never got to do what they wanted in life,i never wanted to be an astronaut,fighter pilot,or anything else but a truckdriver,and am proud of the fact thats how it worked out.30 plus years, and going on 4-million miles must be something to it? hell,my mom will tell you to this day,my first word was "Truck" ! i agree with Superdog,i guess i am also a "Mackohaulic",........................................Mark

[220cummins]

I'm pushing 28 and have been around trucks since I was baby. I was three years old the first time I rode in a truck. My dad got called out for a breakdown in the late evening and I went with him. I can still remember him getting in the "new" '88 MR, that he had just got through putting on the 10yrd mixer, to tow the stranded DM mixer back to the shop. After a quick fix to the DM back at the shop I rode along with the driver to the back of the plant to "wash out" the DM mixer. Yep just wash out the leftover concrete and pour it in the field. This was before any type of reclaimer for separating left over concrete and aggregate. Then it was back to the shop. Boy I was grinning ear to ear for days. As a kid I was always going with my dad chasing parts or hanging around the shop checking out the most recent Brockway,Autocar, or Mack my dad just rebuilt. He'd rebuild one or two mixers every winter....

Flash forward to age 19 I got my CDL and have been driving,repairing,rebuilding, and painting this beauties for work and play ever since. Now I have my B-61 done we're (my dad and I) are working on stretching the single axle Cruiseliner I bought him for his birthday a few years ago into a full screw on neway air ride. It's always been a family affair as far as Macks and trucking have gone. Now with our (my better half and I) newborn baby girl were not gonna change that one bit. We took pictures of her sitting in my B at just a couple months old. It's in our blood and it's what we know.

[220cummins]

Wow, there are a bunch of youngins on BMT which is GREAT. Glad you are preserving the Mack tradition. Too bad more young people are not interested in preserving the past (not just Mack).

I always like history and trying to preserve it. Last year I rebuilt a 1950 Packard 288cid straight eight for a older gentleman who I bought a B model from for parts. Talk about a unique piece of history. I found NOS rod and main bearing for it and they were in boxes marked 3-52. Just mind boggling when you think of whoever made those bearings is probably dead and here we are some 60 years later putting then in an engine...

[2stacksuperdog]

I like anything pre-2002. After that stuff really started going down hill.

[95k1500]

I am 35. I bought my macks when I was about 28. I didnt grow up around trucks. I became a gear head in high school and wanted to buy a muscle car (chevelle, camaro, etc) to work on, restore and drive. My parents didn't take to that idea so it never happened. Going through school and during summers off when I was teaching I drove brand X dump trucks and thats probably where I caught the truck bug. I have been fortunate enough to buy my house and build my shop when I was 27. Upon completion of the shop, I started to look for that vehicle restoration project and that is where my trucks came into play. Due to time, money, space, I sold one and am concentrating on the other. One of these days, I am going be driving around in a brand new B-61! My son, who is six is a truck nut. Hopefully I can keep him interested in trucks, tractors, etc because I think it would be cool do another truck as a father son project