Spectacular R model up for auction

[Jeff M]

This truck will be auctioned off next weekend at the annual New England Auto Auction in Owl's Head, Maine.  Even though I have no intention of bidding, I believe I'll head up there this week just to view this beauty.  It has to be about the nicest original R on the planet.  https://auction.owlshead.org/listing/1986-mack/?fbclid=IwAR1TzuP5YdVaoDUWbmNj5bqQiWKqzI_3RRCFSHkYhaOtHTZeQm3UKZ6wX9I

[1965]

It is most definitely, but lot more nicer if a 350 with 9spd.

[mowerman]

It looks like a 350 but I didn’t know they made a maxidyne one truck is gorgeous…. Bob

[mowerman]

I used to run  a 237 maxidyne in the 80s I hated that transmission.. bob

[james j neiweem]

There were certainly better engine transmission options available in that year. The wheelbase is a tad short. I am not sure this is easily fixable without swapping out the engine and transmission, but that kills the low mileage aspect. Yes the 5 speed needed another gear or gears between 4th and fifth.

Edited August 15, 2021 by james j neiweem

[davehummell]

I spent many a mile in F's and R's 237 and 5 speeds in the 70's and I never liked the 5 speed transmission. When I got in a 10 speed road ranger WOW and when I got to drive a 13 speed teamed up with a 350 Cummins I really liked that setup.

[tjc transport]

i remember that truck. it was always washed before being put back in the garage. 

and there were only a handful of drivers qualified to drive it. 

Freehold is only about 20 miles south of me.

[1965]

Can’t tell if has air ride cab? noticed it doesn’t have the water filter & I don’t see the canister type oil filter (can’t remember exactly what they call it). It is too short really, wonder what axle rating it is?

Edited August 15, 2021 by 1965

[Steve L]

There’s a lot of wear on the gear stick for such low miles

[1965]

Picture 21, never seen an air tank like that, also looks like it might have a little bubble on door. Sure wished it was closer to me, don’t see them that clean around me but I’m sure it will be way out of my budget anyways

[mrsmackpaul]

Well unlike you blokes, I  wouldn't hesitate having that truck

I wouldn't  change a thing, just drive and enjoy it 

 

Paul

[Jeff M]

14 minutes ago, mrsmackpaul said:

Well unlike you blokes, I  wouldn't hesitate having that truck

I wouldn't  change a thing, just drive and enjoy it 

 

Paul

I'm with you, Paul.  I like the short wheelbase, the 5 speed, and the total originality.  What a find.

[mowerman]

10 hours ago, Steve L said:

There’s a lot of wear on the gear stick for such low miles

I am sure its been over 100,000 once that happens the numbers are not straight across they are usually a little off like that one is But yes I agree with Paul I would just  EnJoy the damn thing but of course if you’ve got something in mind to put it in  service I am sure these other fellows are thinking of working it and what they would need to put it on a job … bob

[mrsmackpaul]

I'm kinda strange as no doubt most of you have guessed by now, but just sitting there on a beautiful spring or autumn  (fall for you lot) afternoon in my folding cheer (lawn chair)  with my esky (cooler) having a cool refreshing beverage admiring this truck in the sun would be plenty for me 

Sometimes things are just to fantastic to muck with and this rare beauty is one of those, so original and so straight 

I would count myself as a very lucky man to have something this special as part of my life 

Each to their own but they are only original once and can never go back to been that way once changed 

I hope who ever buys it leaves it as it is and just maintains it

 

Paul

[Hayseed]

20 hours ago, Steve L said:

There’s a lot of wear on the gear stick for such low miles

I'd be curious to know How many Hours the Engine's Done..??

[Timmyb]

That is a beautiful truck, no doubt about it! Definitely worth the drive to see it. 

[Jeff M]

50 minutes ago, Hayseed said:

I'd be curious to know How many Hours the Engine's Done..??

Looks like 1258 on the tach

[Brocky]

32 minutes ago, Jeff M said:

Looks like 1258 on the tach

 

That would depend on if it had a PTO pump mounted?? The shift lever wear is probably because all were short trips!! Probably not into 5th that often??

[1965]

Why does it have econodyne on the hood?

I’ve seen several trucks like this, 300 maxidyne & 5spd, all Mack truck gold dogs with econodyne on hood. I think I’ve only seen 1 truck ever that had maxidyne on hood.

[tjc transport]

I doubt very much the speedometer has been altered. These volunteer fire trucks get very little use and ofter have under 500 miles per year use..especially the tankers and aerial ladder trucks.

We sold a gmc 9500 "crackerbox" ladder truck that was 30 years old and only had 11,000 miles on it.

The 80 C750 ford tractor only has 6,000 miles on it when sold in 2005

[Licensed to kill]

9 hours ago, mrsmackpaul said:

I'm kinda strange as no doubt most of you have guessed by now, but just sitting there on a beautiful spring or autumn  (fall for you lot) afternoon in my folding cheer (lawn chair)  with my esky (cooler) having a cool refreshing beverage admiring this truck in the sun would be plenty for me 

Sometimes things are just to fantastic to muck with and this rare beauty is one of those, so original and so straight 

I would count myself as a very lucky man to have something this special as part of my life 

Each to their own but they are only original once and can never go back to been that way once changed 

I hope who ever buys it leaves it as it is and just maintains it

 

Paul

Agree. I am one that believes that the owner has the right to do as he/she pleases but get dismayed when they choose to modify a pristine example. I'm also into Model A fords and often see guys buy a REAL nice stock car (usually restored) and proceed to chop, channel and hotrod it. To my way of thinking that is what you do with cars that already need a lot of work anyways. To their way of thinking it's cheaper and easier to start with a pristine car than start with a wreck. I get that and, like i said, they have the right to do as they please but it still saddens me somewhat. 

[Steve L]

Maybe the gear knob got a lot of polishing haha! But really it is a beautiful truck that I would love and be proud to own. Regards the gold/silver ornaments, I had a 72. 237 6 speed maxidyne (all Mack) gold emblem, then a 81. 320 12 speed coolpower (all Mack) the last new Mack I purchased was a 87 maxidyne 300 12 speed (all Mack) that had silver emblems. So Mack’s we’re not consistent with the emblems. I was in Mack’s workshop 67-72 and back then all thermodynes were silver emblems and maxidynes were gold, that obviously went haywire. 

[Vladislav]

18 hours ago, 1965 said:

Why does it have econodyne on the hood?

I’ve seen several trucks like this, 300 maxidyne & 5spd, all Mack truck gold dogs with econodyne on hood. I think I’ve only seen 1 truck ever that had maxidyne on hood.

To the year it was built (85-88?) it should be R690 with that 300hp EM6. Mack put Econodyne badges on those trucks for some reason. And silver dogs. But to me it seems they were Maxidynes by the mean.

Beautiful truck. The lever looks worn over its top indeed but overall condition of the interior looks much fresher than 100K miles.

Edited August 17, 2021 by Vladislav

[Vladislav]

6 hours ago, Licensed to kill said:

Agree. I am one that believes that the owner has the right to do as he/she pleases but get dismayed when they choose to modify a pristine example. I'm also into Model A fords and often see guys buy a REAL nice stock car (usually restored) and proceed to chop, channel and hotrod it. To my way of thinking that is what you do with cars that already need a lot of work anyways. To their way of thinking it's cheaper and easier to start with a pristine car than start with a wreck. I get that and, like i said, they have the right to do as they please but it still saddens me somewhat. 

De Jure the owner has the right to do whatever he want, it's true. But actually there's a thing which is called cultural value or historical value. In some cases it is protected by law. For example you can not modify a historical building no matter you own it or not. Not sure how it works in the States but in my country it occures for the most buildings in a city historical center. Or for example you're not allowed to farm or build in a national park. A bit different case since you can't buy a land there but the same matter. So my point of view is an owner of an artifact which has any special value, historical, cultural or artificial, should feel resopnsibility for keeping his object of property in a certain condition regarding it's special value. It's not a law in the particular case but we all love the things we own or deal with for fun. So it seems like our very care to preserve them since WE need them existing and bringing fun, no one else.

Edited August 16, 2021 by Vladislav

[85snowdog]

12 hours ago, 1965 said:

Why does it have econodyne on the hood?

I’ve seen several trucks like this, 300 maxidyne & 5spd, all Mack truck gold dogs with econodyne on hood. I think I’ve only seen 1 truck ever that had maxidyne on hood.

 I have wondered the same . My 1989 DM 690 has a 300 maxidyne with an econodyne emblem on the hood.