kscarbel2 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 FYI: Some Mack triviaAs you know, Ford introduced its cutting edge new model year 1996 HN80 Ford Aeromax and Louisville at the 1995 Detroit auto show. (http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/index.php?/topic/41662-a-look-back-at-american-innovation-the-ford-hn80-new-aeromax-and-louisville/?hl=hn80)(Ford filed for the Aeromax name in August 1987, abandoned it in September 1989, and filed again for the name in March 1995.)But for the record, Mack Trucks applied for a trademark on the term Aero-Max in August 1987, and it was registered in February 1990.(Volvo Group cancelled the registration of the Aero-Max term in March 2001).When the CH was being developed in the 1980s, it wasn't alone.The Mack CH was the modern and versatile replacement of the R-model. Like the R-model, the CH had no special aerodynamic features.Noting Kenworth’s success with the aerodynamic new-for-1985 Kenworth T600, Mack created a highly aerodynamic prototype variant of the CH called the CA, or Aero-Max. And it was breathtaking in appearance, a truly revolutionary and modern design.A DH was being developed and tested to replace the DM, utilizing a CH-style cab. Like the CH, the DH was a sharp looking truck, an impressive leap forward in vocational truck design.In summary, Mack R&D had three options on the table for the sales group to consider for production:CA - aerodynamic tractor for the 1990sCH - modern replacement for the industry-leading R-modelDH - modern replacement for the industry-leading DM 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
220cummins Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Very cool! Any pictures around of them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtymilkman Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 I was told they thought the CA was to "radical" and people wouldn't buy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Maney Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 From what I understand and what I recall seeing in CAD drawings, a CA hood or similar design was used on the space shuttle replica name the Blake. 1 Quote Interested in Old Trucks? Check out: www.antiquetruckclubofamerica.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kscarbel2 Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 Doug, I can't find my photographs of the CA, CH and DH prototypes on the test track at the Research Development & Test Center, however I can tell you it was not an excessively radical design (in my opinion). It didn't look anything like that. I wish some other Mack veterans would help me out here. We had some confidential photographs of the CA, CH, and DH that our district sales representatives showed the distributor principals around the country to gather their feedback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtymilkman Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Does Mack still have the CA prototype? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kscarbel2 Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 Does Mack still have the CA prototype?THAT is the three million dollar question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtymilkman Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 When I went to college in 1996 a friend of mine got to visit Mack. He actually saw the prototype. He was a great artist so when he got back to his hotel he sketched it. When he got home he drew up a couple different pictures of them. I remember how there was a resemblance of a t600. He committed suicide a few years ago so I have no idea where the drawings are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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