Popular Post Superdog Posted September 23, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted September 23, 2015 55 years ago,in 1960,Pulley Freight Lines, a refrigerated carrier based in Des Moines,IA took delivery of 40 B-61 Macks. 22 years later,a 14 year old kid from Morning Sun,IA was looking for components for the B-61 he was rebuilding,when he ran across an ad in the Sunday Des Moines Register for a rough but running 1960 B-61. After a few phone calls,the kid,his Grandpa and his Dad went to look at the old Mack. It had last been used,or more accurately abused,in the guys logging business.It had been parked for a couple years beside his house in downtown Des Moines.The body had no straight panels anywhere,rusted areas were crudely patched,and gallons of body filler were gobbed into the fenders and cab.All this was covered by a really crappy brown paint job. The rear and side windows were broken out,interior was a mess,and the wiring was worse,but it had a good chassis and running gear.A deal was made and they jump started the truck and it drove flawlessly home 145 miles. Upon teardown and cab removal,old trailer door seals found behind the seat were found for both PFL and Bookey Pack,a cattle slaughterhouse in Des Moines. A little research proved that this truck was one of the 40 bought new by Pulley in '60. Serial # was B61ST33230. 2 years later,when combined with the 2 other parts trucks he already had,the old B61 was proud again. The frame,engine and transmission from the old Pulley truck was the one used,so that was the title and serial number also used.This was my first,and though it was destroyed in 1985 in a fire,it's always been so dear to my heart.I still have it.30 years later........Earlier this summer,the daughter of an old friend that had passed away called me to see if I was interested in buying her Dad's old Macks,he had a R model,a Valueliner,and a B61. I knew the R model well,and had seen the Valueliner,and I ended up with them both. I posted about them shortly after I got them. At the time,his nephew wanted the B-61,so that was that,I thought. About a month ago she called me again saying that the truck was still for sale and they needed to get it moved from the farm it was parked all this time,did I want it. I told her as much as I'd like to buy it,I couldn't afford what they wanted right now,after just buying the previous 2,even though it was a fair price,but to help them out,I would move the truck to my place,get it running for them and help sell it. Sunday afternoon I went and picked it up. I was running short on time,so I loaded it quick and hauled ass for home.When I got it home and unloaded it,I checked it out a little better,when I opened the passenger door and read the door tag,I almost fell over. This truck was B61ST33232, a sister truck to my 1st B-61. So,I guess this one is going to have to stay,now. If I live long enough,I'd like to rebuild my old one as it was and this one as it was originally,lettered for Pulley Freight Lines. 23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timmyb Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Nice find superdog! It's good to have a win every now and then. And the first pic, your original one, is an absolute beauty! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff M Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Great story. Sure is funny the little twists and turns that life hands us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogg rescue Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Good luck, cool story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Good Story! Nice to keep them together. Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loadstar Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Great story!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gmerrill0516 Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 It sounds like it found YOU and wouldn't take no for an answer. Good story, cool truck and great plan.Enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seyser Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Thanks for the great story, I enjoyed reading it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryS Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Great story and good example of a Mack rescue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdogtrucker Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Great story! Can you post a pic of the blue one now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
75T Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Great story,great save! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Great story! Can you post a pic of the blue one now?It was destroyed in a fire so I'm thinking the picture might be kinda grim. Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 yeah great yarn gotta love a happy ending Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladislav Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 As they said.Glad to hear you've done the deal. Quote Никогда не бывает слишком много грузовиков! leversole 11.2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlotpilot Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 there are good and bad photos as well as grim ones lets see how ole blue looks. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdogtrucker Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 It was destroyed in a fire so I'm thinking the picture might be kinda grim.I know, but I'd still like to see it...Good to hear he still has it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted September 24, 2015 Author Share Posted September 24, 2015 Great story! Can you post a pic of the blue one now?Nope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jake Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Great story Superdog. I remember Pulley too when I was still trucking. Great find. Some things are just ment to be. Jake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieseldriver65 Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 there are good and bad photos as well as grim ones lets see how ole blue looks. Please,let see the old girl.You showed the restoration pic,I'd really like to see it now before it's next step in evolution! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted September 25, 2015 Author Share Posted September 25, 2015 Please,let see the old girl.You showed the restoration pic,I'd really like to see it now before it's next step in evolution!It's stripped down to the frame,tucked away in the corner of my barn and has a ton of B model parts stacked on and around it,It would take a month to uncover it to take a pic. I don't no what ever happened to the pics taken after the fire,that was back when camera had film and your pictures came in the mail. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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