Popular Post jart Posted April 5, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted April 5, 2023 Our truck began its journey when a local heavy hauler purchased the truck new in 1968. Sometime in the 70s, a local excavating contractor purchased the truck and painted it green. In the late 1980's my grandfather purchased his first tractor to haul his paving equipment, a 1968 Mack R615ST. V8 END864 with a triplex. The truck served us very well for the time being until 2001 when we chipped the high split gear, and had to sell the truck. A collector bought it, and kept the truck the exact same way we sold it, and took it to a bunch of local shows until it seemingly disappeared according to my grandfather. Fast Forward to 2021. I found old pictures of the truck, and knew I had to get this truck back. After searching facebook for 2 months, I located the owner and got to see the truck. It sat in the back of a barn covered in dust along with 50 other trucks, but was exactly the way we left it when we sold it. I asked to buy it back, but he wasn't ready to sell. After 2 years of being persistent, I finally bought the truck back, and my grandfather, cousin and myself are slowly bringing it back to its glory! 6 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72687-grandfathers-1968-r615st/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted April 5, 2023 Share Posted April 5, 2023 Excellent man that’s way cool thanks for the post that was some real luck Internet sometimes it comes in real handy..: bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72687-grandfathers-1968-r615st/#findComment-528534 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MACKS Posted April 5, 2023 Share Posted April 5, 2023 Very cool,congrats on getting it back to your family.. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72687-grandfathers-1968-r615st/#findComment-528537 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted April 5, 2023 Share Posted April 5, 2023 real nice looking unit. bet the secret location of the other 49 trucks won't be revealed ' LOL Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72687-grandfathers-1968-r615st/#findComment-528555 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tjc transport Posted April 5, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted April 5, 2023 i know that truck, the company, and probably know where the other 49 trucks are too. 🤫 3 Quote when you are up to your armpits in alligators, it is hard to remember you only came in to drain the swamp.. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72687-grandfathers-1968-r615st/#findComment-528564 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MACKS Posted April 5, 2023 Share Posted April 5, 2023 3 hours ago, tjc transport said: i know that truck, the company, and probably know where the other 49 trucks are too. 🤫 Well it does have New Jersey colors,blue cab,red undercarriage… Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72687-grandfathers-1968-r615st/#findComment-528568 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjc transport Posted April 5, 2023 Share Posted April 5, 2023 colors have nothing to do with it. . it was the name on the door that was the giveaway. actually as soon as i saw RCP on the radiator shield i knew it. Quote when you are up to your armpits in alligators, it is hard to remember you only came in to drain the swamp.. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72687-grandfathers-1968-r615st/#findComment-528569 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggin Wagon Posted April 6, 2023 Share Posted April 6, 2023 Rough rider bobtail. Looks about same wheelbase as my B615. Couldn't stay in seat unless 20,000 pounds on 5th wheel! But it is still a great ride, just don't run much because fear of busting up cab Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72687-grandfathers-1968-r615st/#findComment-528581 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted April 6, 2023 Share Posted April 6, 2023 can understand the rough ride;;; that's one short wheelbase. still a great lookin ride Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72687-grandfathers-1968-r615st/#findComment-528583 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted April 6, 2023 Share Posted April 6, 2023 I have heard of blokes running as low as 55 psi in drive tyres on trucks going that are only hobbie type of trucks Smooths the ride out to know end apparently Steer tyres look a lot bigger diameter than the drive, might a optical illusion No matter this the story of the week for the forum, very very cool story indeed Well done on getting the truck back in the family Paul 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72687-grandfathers-1968-r615st/#findComment-528587 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted April 6, 2023 Share Posted April 6, 2023 I don’t know man Max have never been known for thier smooth riding I had a 73R model with about the same wheelbase not very smooth without a box.. Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72687-grandfathers-1968-r615st/#findComment-528635 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted April 12, 2023 Share Posted April 12, 2023 Mack can't have everything (although it does )::LOL Mack was built for HD workers . want a pretty / smooth ride ;; think it's call petercar .. LMAO. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72687-grandfathers-1968-r615st/#findComment-529032 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted April 12, 2023 Share Posted April 12, 2023 Right???? Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72687-grandfathers-1968-r615st/#findComment-529041 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladislav Posted April 22, 2023 Share Posted April 22, 2023 Interesting story and interesting truck. Pretty sure a short nose (600 series) R with a V8 is a rare beast. Even haven't kept in my mind such ones were ever produced. Congratulations on the successfull repurchase Vlad Quote Никогда не бывает слишком много грузовиков! leversole 11.2012 Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72687-grandfathers-1968-r615st/#findComment-529691 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted April 23, 2023 Share Posted April 23, 2023 I understand in thier day they were dogs for thier size and weight,, they really didn’t do any better than the 673… that’s why thier wasn’t many of them sold … Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72687-grandfathers-1968-r615st/#findComment-529784 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted April 23, 2023 Share Posted April 23, 2023 Oh, by the way, not to hurt anybody’s feelings I did not hear they were a money pit by any means just meant for overall performance . It wasn’t any better than the six-cylinder.. … bob just Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72687-grandfathers-1968-r615st/#findComment-529791 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 wasn't much better performance ; but sure had a heck of a nice sound out the exhaust. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72687-grandfathers-1968-r615st/#findComment-529840 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted April 24, 2023 Share Posted April 24, 2023 I remember that construction outfit in my hometown had a bunch of them bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72687-grandfathers-1968-r615st/#findComment-529846 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted April 27, 2023 Share Posted April 27, 2023 Thought I’d also brag I used to change all thier tires on R model V8s back when I was only 17 worked in the only truck tire service shop in the area all I ever seen back then was split rim tube type… so technically I actually worked on them lol.. Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/72687-grandfathers-1968-r615st/#findComment-530099 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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