Dirtymilkman Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 I heard in the mid eighties Mack designed a very aerodynamic truck that eventually morphed into the CH. A friend of mine was at Mack taking a tour and actually saw a glimpse of it. They said the truck looked to futuristic and wouldn't catch on. Then the kW t600 came out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kscarbel Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 We touched on this subject the other day. I personally can't find my pictures but I'm sure at least a few other Mack veterans have some.http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/index.php?/topic/33278-rd-steel-nose/page-3The Mack CH was the modern and vesatile replacement of the R-model. Like the R-model, the CH had no special aerodynamic features.Remember, an appreciation for aerodynamics was developing amongst America's truckmakers during the 1980s to help on-highway trucks improve fuel economy (The Kenworth T600, introduced in 1985, elevated the trend).The Mack CA was the company's answer to the stirring demand for aerodynamic on-highway tractors. And it was breathtaking in appearance, a truly revolutionary and modern design.So altogether, Mack R&D had three options on the table for the sales group to consider for production:CA - aerodynamic tractor for the nintiesCH - modern replacement for the industry-leading R-modelDH - modern replacement for the industry-leading DM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kscarbel2 Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 A teaser photo of a CH concept prototype.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenGiant2 Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 mean and nasty looking, kinda got that ( i will kick your ass look) Quote We the unwilling, Lead by the unqualified, are doing the impossible, for the ungrateful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Yep,too bad we got the " I'm going to go tell your mom on you" look instead. Thank God they did the set forward axle version of the CH,it at least looked a little more stout. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog13407 Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 I dunno , kinda has that gay ass midliner look to the grille and headlights never really cared for the CH, especially the plastic bumper T600A Freightliner wanna be Ch's. the early ones also had the plastic headlites that turned yellow after a few years to. the newer ones with the chrome angled bumper and different headlites are a decent looking truck depending on color. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtymilkman Posted January 28, 2014 Author Share Posted January 28, 2014 So the concept had daylight doors? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kscarbel2 Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 So the concept had daylight doors?Exact same superb doors as the MH Ultra-Liner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Horse Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 I think the first CH I saw was a test tractor that was in service with Petroleum Carriers of Grafton Mass. this was in 1987. Truck was painted in PC's burgundy color. PC was an outfit that kept a super clean Mack fleet. Not sure when they finally went out of business or if someone (JPN?) bought them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Geeesh! That is a name from the past. Petroleum Carriers seemed to be everywhere!I think Dana is in their old yard? Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaysm35a2 Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 The B model sure looked aerodynamic for its day.I have an ad somewhere from Mack, says something about that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer52 Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 The B model sure looked aerodynamic for its day.I have an ad somewhere from Mack, says something about that. Mack ran several "teaser" ads before introducing the CH. One ad stated "If you wanted rounded fenders, you could of had them in 195x". The ad showed a front side view of a B fender. I saved all those ads but have no idea where they are now. Quote Ken PRR Country and Charter member of the "Mack Pack" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kscarbel Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Mack ran several "teaser" ads before introducing the CH. One ad stated "If you wanted rounded fenders, you could of had them in 195x". The ad showed a front side view of a B fender. I saved all those ads but have no idea where they are now.Those were indeed great advertisements. We were proud of those.Here's a photo of one of the pre-production prototypes. This CH was assembled with a DM chassis.http://hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/dmckenzie/a_trains/a20_mack_atomic.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbigrig Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I remember that test truck for Atomic up here in Canada. Mack Canada Built 20 CH's up here at the Oakville plant in 89. I know where CH613serial #001020 is. (E7400 15spd Fuller 14/44 on camelback spoke fr and rear double frame 187" wheelbase) I'm still trying to get my hands on it!!!They only built 20 of them and stopped there because they wouldn't update the paint booth for the type of paint the CH called for. That and it was all destined for Winnsboro pretty much from the get go.(Told this by a former engineer from Oakville assembly) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaysm35a2 Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 kscarbel , where do you work for Mack?I have the ad, I will have to scan it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kscarbel2 Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Here's one.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackdaddy Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 There was also another prototype that ran Canada and I believe it had the big bore 6 cylinder Mack diesel in it? The engine is now in the museum at the customer center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kscarbel2 Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 There was also another prototype that ran Canada and I believe it had the big bore 6 cylinder Mack diesel in it? The engine is now in the museum at the customer center.The engine you are speaking of - the "Big Six". It shared the same bore and pistons with the V-8s.Legendary Mack VP of engineering Walter May said two upcoming new V-8s and two (Big Six) 6-cylinders (due around 1979-1980) would be high-torque "Turbodyne" series engines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james j neiweem Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 It is obvious that mack always took care of the engineering side of the house but they wern't paying attention to the buisiness side. Like White they over extended and ran out of cash flow during tough times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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