Mike Blais

Here's a couple of before. I probably have a few hundred of during. I had to take lots of pics so I could remember how to put it back together. I don't know how the pros can do it by memory. Many times I had to go to the computer to look thru the pics and print one to take back out to the truck. Even for something as simple as how to put the mirrors back on. Speaking of which, when I had the tractor and all the parts at the blasters, I had him powdercoat the mirror brackets, hood latches and hood handles.

This is my 1968 Diamond Reo C99064. It has an NHC-250 with a Spicer 8516-3A. The rears are SQHD 44,000#. Factory double frame front to back. Last year I tore it down and a friend did all the body work and paint, with me as his assistant. Then I got to put it back together. Now it needs all new rubber and I have to put the lowboy ramps and the winch back on. I hope to use it to haul another truck to the shows.

That's a nice Diamond Reo. I think it's a DC-101. The tilt hood was an option for that model you don't see much.

I started driving in 1979-80 on mid 70's R-600s and LT-9000s. At the time I didn't appreciate what they were. The company I work for now just traded off the '99 CH 613s we were stuck with for 8 years. Now I'm in a ' 05 Columbia. The old '70s tractors looked and sounded like real trucks. Big steering wheels, steel dashboards, trolley brake on the column where it should be. I ask myself now if I were to start hauling for myself, what would I get? I find myself on Truckpaper looking at R models and LT-9000s. Who knew??

I've been lurking for awhile. Don't own any Macks, but I'm surrounded by guys who have them (that's a good thing). I have some Diamond Reos and a White 4000, also a 1958 Ford Marmon-Herrington plow truck. Macks were a big part of my youth, what with all the St. Johnsbury and Holmes Macks around here. I remember in school watching a St J. U 600 burning its way up the hill outside during a snowstorm. I have some pics, I will post some in the gallery.