mrsmackpaul

There was LHD allowed in some states in Australia and only under some conditions in some states and some states not really at all

People with WW2 type of gear had tp pretty much convert them to RHD in most states

I think most things got converted to RHD as a matter of course and others that didn't had sign written in big ugly writting "CAUTION LEFT HAND DRIVE"

Dunno if the writing made anything safer

I reckon nack in the late 80's things started to change

As imports of classic cars/muscle cars from the U.S. increased, so did dodgy shops converting things to RHD 

As I recall it, some really shoddy conversions were taking place and people were paying huge money for these conversions and I reckon it was maybe when some people died as a result of these conversions that car clubs and the likes really pushed back at the government's rules 

We have car club registrations in Australia that cover collectable cars trucks tractors etc

Your only allowed on the road 45 days of the year and some other rules 

I feel the clubs argued successfully that it was much safer to have these vehicles in good original condition than have dodgy modifications

So back to trucks and every day vehicles 

Only special types of vehicles are allowed to be LHD and on full rego and used daily, as far as I know

Things like cranes and farm machinery and the like 

I'm sure there are lots of exceptions to these rules, but as a general guide that would be my understanding 

There were 2 H model's bought into the country and I feel both were converted to RHD over their working life 

The DM 800's were converted as well as were I feelthe R700's 

The F models had 2 right angle gear boxes on the dash and a PTO shaft joining them up when new in Australia 

Then the FR was introduced and this was a F model cab on a R model chassis 

The R model chassis was used om everything well into the 2000's as the chassis was well suited to RHD 

Enough waffle from me 

Paul 

Here is the lady on her Tennessee walking horse 

And GMC truck

Paul

Well done, loosing weight is a challenge and as I get older the challenge is even harder

I have no good answers here 

Was running between 8 and 10 mile each morning for nearly 15 years after I had a accident and busted my back in a couple of spots

Dunno if I lost weight or not but sure as I never weigh myself, but I felt better and still take zero medication 

Developed a heel spur type of deal a few months ago, so did something really unusual, got some new tyres and tubes for a push bike someone gave my years ago

Stuff me that took a while to get used to but I am 12 - 13 mile each morning 

Almost always up at 3.00 am and go straight out to it

Well done on the weight loss, I dunno if I could give up Bourbon, the longer I'm married the better it tastes ha ha ha

Paul

60 years strong! This week’s Mack Facts celebrate the R Series, the model that shaped Mack’s history in Australia.

 1. The most popular Mack series ever built, the legendary R Series truly put Mack on the map, or more accurately, on roads all around the world! While this summary from Mack Inc. captures the global story well, it doesn’t quite reflect the unique Australian history. The last locally built R variant was the Australian-designed Metro-Liner, which rolled off the Richlands production line in December 1996, just over 31 years after the first R Series left the Rocklea facility in October 1965.

 2. In Australia, Mack Trucks Inc. began local manufacturing in early 1963, producing the legendary B Models at the fledgling Rocklea, QLD operation as fast as demand could be met. But operators were soon calling for more performance, greater driver comfort, and increased hauling capacity, paving the way for the R Model, the perfect evolution and worthy successor to the B Model. The first two trucks were imported in mid-1965, an R403 and a more powerful R609. The photo shows the first R609 in Allentown in 1965, ready for shipment to Australia.

 3. Almost 9,000 R Series trucks were built in Australia in an incredible range of configurations. Starting with the ever-popular R609, powered by the tough END711 engine, through to the heavy-duty R800 off-road model, the R Series proved it could handle virtually any hauling task in the harshest conditions. It’s only fitting that such an achievement is celebrated, marking 60 years of the R Series in Australia! The hero photo features the very first V8 R Series delivered locally, owned by Smiler Nilon.

Paul

On 11/6/2025 at 3:13 AM, terry said:

I have always used some silicone sealer on axle flange with no gasket, never had a problem.   terry

If we are talking the axle to the hub type of deal, I don't think they ever had a gasket

They crush up pretty tight, I don't recall ever seeing a paper gasket, it would be only very thin paper if there was a gasket

I have only ever seen silicone type of sealant 

I do prefer to use Loctite sealant, stays flexible and doesn't leak and also looks very stylish with it's purple colour

Paul

And some more random photos I came across while Googling about trying to find answers 

R 800

DM 800's

R 800

I'm fairly sure DM 800 

Anyway, enough waffle from me

Paul

More news to hand, I'm slowly spinning this thread off into the ditch without the help of Joey or Bob 

So there were 3 of this style of truck 

375 V8's I believe 

Like all stories there is some confusion and miss reading, they are recorded in this bit of story as R 700's

There were two Kenworth 849s, with 3408 V8 Caterpillar engines, as well as two Mack R797 RSX, ENDTB 866s. The Macks were rated at 280kW (375hp) and fitted with Flintstone/butterfly hoods. The pair was a cancelled Middle East order and so were named ‘Ayatollah‘ and ‘The Shah‘.

I'm doubt the Middle East would of ordered new Macks from New Zealand or Australia, so I'm guessing these were U.S. made and when the order was cancelled they found a home in New Zealand and before delivery had the cabs mounted centraly and converted to right hand drive 

The first two were definitely DM 800's as my New Zealand Mack book has them recorded as such and I have read plenty if times that this is case, the third and final truck is a R 800

A huge amount of research went into these books and they were checked and rechecked and proof read by many sets of eyes before the limited run was done 

The first two are the DM 800 Middle East modified order

This is the R 800, third truck

Paul

Well done to all involved in the restoration 

That's pretty special to have the truck, yourself and Dawson featured in the magazine 

And even better you took us all along for the ride 

Thank you

Paul

 The lady I mentioned who had the Tennesse Walking Horses was Annie Wilkins 

A tough old lady amd the horse was called Rex

You probably need to read the book to learn more 

Here's a link to the lady and here riding adventures

Mesannie Wilkins - Wikipedia https://share.google/s1CH6dfTHyK29oapT

Oh yeah, John Wayne is a pretty interesting bloke, the more I learn about him the more interesting he was

Paul

Dunno much about these Tennesse Walking Horses, have read a story about a lady from Maine that was gifted one on her ride across the U.S. 

I do a bit of horse riding, certainly no expert, was out a week ago in the central NSW highlands riding around on a station (ranch for you lot) rounding up cattle ans basically having fun

Amazing story about these trucks

Paul