Popular Post mattb73lt Posted August 28, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted August 28, 2015 Been sitting on this since I found it back in Aug '98. It was missing the engine, the owner took it out and put it in a B-81. It was rough but all there, including the radiator and hood. It has a double-over Triplex in it with a clutch brake. The cab was the worst part with the typical L Model issues and rust, but fixable. It was converted to a tandem with a set of R Model axles. The owner kept the original axle though and it came with the truck. This was always my favorite B Model set up, cab, radiator and fuel tanks. Just loved the lines and stumbled upon this one only by luck. I had nowhere to store it as a complete truck, so I disassembled it and stored it around the inside of my barn since then to preserve it until I got to it. Collected up what was missing, to include a pretty fresh NH-220 to replace the missing one. Found a roll-back equipment body/deck for it to haul my toys around. Been picking away at various parts of it when time permits and finally getting to it. It's going to get a frame stretch for the roll-back, Budd hubs for polished ALCOA rims, polished tanks and radiator and original red paint. With luck and perserverance it should'nt take as long as I've had it stored. 2 8 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 Looks like an excellent project! Is this the one found from the air? Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-301815 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted August 28, 2015 Author Share Posted August 28, 2015 Yeah, Damn near killed myself spotting it. The give away was the windshield frames and headlight panels. Didn't have the hood or radiator on it, so the form was hard to recognize. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-301816 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby j Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 Nice find.........Bobby j. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-301820 Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 Going to be a really nice unit all done up. I like those cabs better than the B cab Course my size probably has a bit to do with it. . . 1 Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-301821 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtymilkman Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 I love the L cab B Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-301832 Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryS Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 That is going to make a really nice rollback. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-301861 Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdirondakMack Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 Nice! Have fun! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-301863 Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlotpilot Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 I can picture that with a 60 in. sleeper 24 ft alum bed rollback- alum budd whls- 3rd lift axle a 3406 cat shoe horned in front 13 spdov. fuller with 3.36gears in back painted gold powder black alum all polished- on full air ride -with a rolling conestoga cover hauling a 1934-5 rolls around the country to the shows 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-301874 Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 You dream in technicolor! Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-301881 Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlotpilot Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 You dream in technicolor! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-301884 Share on other sites More sharing options...
seyser Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 Found from the air? Tell us the story!! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-301886 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted August 29, 2015 Author Popular Post Share Posted August 29, 2015 OK, so the find story. Back then I was a Trooper assigned to the Aviation Unit, I've retired since. We had three Cessna 182's we did various things with, including marijuana eradication. Our Narcotics Unit had found a grow in the Northwestern part of the state and set up on to try an catch the guy growing it as it was on public land. Days go by and they catch the guy tending his grow on a Sunday.. I got called out to pick up another Trooper as a spotter that afternoon because they want to make sure they cut it all down and there aren't anymore hidden grows. We get there and the ground guys are nowhere near ready to go in the woods to start. We have some time to kill so we do some sight seeing around a local lake. On the far side of it I spot a junkyard. I was always on the hunt for rusty metal back then and knew just about where every derelict truck was due to the job. we head over there and make a pass. I was disappointed because it was all modern cars and of no value to me.As we pull off, I turn left and see a contractor's yard with some trucks. As we pass over I spot on the edge of the woods a bunch of dead trucks. One of which gets my interest but I can't make it out because it has no hood or radiator. I come around again dropping some flaps to slow down and decending for a better look. After a few passes I'm pretty sure I struck gold and have some find of a B-70 series with an L cab.The guys were ready now to do the eradication, so we go back there. I made a note of what town it was in and how to get there. Monday I go to work and I'm trying to find out who's yard it was and how do I contact the owner. A friend of mine was the Resident Trooper in that town so I call him up. One of his Officers knows the owner, gives me his name, number and says he's a real nice guy and to just call him. I do and arrange to meet with him the next weekend. I do and he says a guy was out last year and wanted the tanks off it, but told him the whole thing goes as he didn't want to break it up. He never came back. So now I know he'll part with it, I just don't know what he'll take for it. So I ask him, bottom line what'll you take for it( I hate negotiating). He say's, same as the last guy.....$1800. I almost fainted, here was the B Model I was always hunting for and minus the engine was complete and unmolested. I couldn't get the word sold out of my mouth fast enough.That's how I came to own this B-73. As a side note- I researched the truck and got the build records from the Mack Museum. In there was the original owners name and the town he lived in. Around 2004 I searched the phone book and came across the same name, slightly different address. Out of the blue I call the number and a gentleman answers. I explain who I am and the truck I have and that I was looking for it's original owner. He says hold on and hands the phone to his father and says you need to talk to this guy. It's the original owner, 46 years later!!! He gets all excited that the truck is still around. I make arrangements for him to come see it at my house. He was about 83 or so and had a HUGE smile on his face the whole time. He gave me a few pictures of the truck when he owned it and had it all pinstriped up. As he was leaving he turns to and says, " Thank you so much, you made an old man's day" . 1 23 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-301907 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957B61Vt Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 Nice!Good story .Have fun with it Steve Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-301908 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ws721 Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 Before you put a 3406 in it stay with a Cummins and go with a N14 mechanical. That kicks a 3406 a$$ any day and better millage. Nice find. Hats off to you for taking the time to hunt down the original owner. That's what this hobby is all about!! 1 Quote Remember if it's got a hood it's no good! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-301909 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtymilkman Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 Do we get to see the original pictures? 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-301913 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted August 29, 2015 Author Share Posted August 29, 2015 I'll try to scan them. It's an old Polaroid that's kinda fuzzy/faded. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-301916 Share on other sites More sharing options...
seyser Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 Great story! Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-301939 Share on other sites More sharing options...
b615rich Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Thanks for sharing a great story (two great stories actually!). Good luck, hope to see it someday! Yeah, I learned on an R and love me' but I had to get a B with the big radiator and an L cab too (Mack museum calls it the "California cab"). Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-301968 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted September 3, 2015 Author Popular Post Share Posted September 3, 2015 Current pics of it in storage. The cab is going to be the hardest part as it has the most issues. Engine is ready for paint. Transmission is rebuilt. Now just to get started. 5 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-302488 Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Great story! Nice work on the chassis and engine. Oh and nice "Henry" too. 1926 or 27 ? Paul Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-302494 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 '27 Fordor Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-302495 Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryS Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 I was too busy admiring the engine and missed the "Henry". Nice on both counts. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-302501 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gmerrill0516 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Really great stories. I'd love to find out anything about my truck but the trail from Mack is as dry as it gets. I can't locate any reference to the original company that ordered it or the company that bought it as the original order was cancelled. Anyway, it's a good find and a great story. Do yourself a favor and print out all the information and make sure it stays with the truck. Did you get a picture with the guy I hope? Well document what you have anyway as stuff has a way of fading into the past and getting lost forever.Thanks for the story and the pictures. Looks like a bunch of good times. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-302509 Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdirondakMack Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Great story! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/#findComment-302510 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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