Jamaican Bulldog

I have always liked old trucks especially Macks. Apart form a brief stint with a large truck over 20 yrs ago in Jamaica ( large 10 wheeler 1970 British Atkinson with a 18 yard dump 250 Cummins and 9 sp fuller), I have never been involved in trucking, but always liked the idea of having one to take to shows or just to have. Is it crazy just to get a CDL only to have the ability to have and drive a classic Mack to shows etc? Do I need a tractor trailer class license if I only drive the tractor with no trailer? ( I live in NY so I know states may vary) I am thinking of a R, DM ( favorite Mack), U, MH, Superliner, or even a LTL.

Very modern looking for its time indeed. To me the G actually looked more modern than the F and even looked like it preceded the Cruiseliner.

I also noticed that NO. It seems the L cab was widened too. There were actually a few other interesting unrestored trucks at the back of the museum.

Makes sense. I always thought the curved back looked better on the short off set cab and wondered why.

I was happy to bump into Denis Yaworski at the recent ATCA meet in Macungie. He also confirmed that the museum still exists albeit with less trucks than originally and is open on Wednesdays.

It seems like the R and DM models cabs came out with curved or contoured back in the 73 or 74, however I still see U models from the late 70s with the 'flat back cabs'. Any reason why the U models kept the flat back cabs longer?

Thanks for the helpful responses. I was able to finally add the pics above I took of the truck at Macungie last Saturday

While at Macungie I normally check out to see what engines trucks have in them. I came across this odd Mack F 700 with a blue component at the back of the engine. I meant to ask on here what was, but while I was leaving the show, I saw these flames. It was explained to me that this was a Mack Prototype to test a turbine feature on the back of the engine to add power and efficiency. It was probably the only one built or survived.

I will now be making it to Macungie on Friday and Saturday! What does your truck look like so I can come check it out?

Was the 'baby' Mack engine a Lanova design before the similar size Scania engines replaced them?

Unfortunately, I won't be there this year, but maybe next year.

What ever became of Buda engines? Did they fail to keep up with competition?

Thanks guys for all interesting info. I notice that older Mack models of the era that I have seen had Cummins. How did the early Mack diesels compared with other makes like Cummins, Detriot etc at the time such as 40s and early 50s? Did they use other types to supplement their own engines?

I think these were the small (475 cubic inch) Scania diesel engines Mack used in their lighter spec trucks that didn't need their larger 675 cubic inch engines in the mid 60s. I also think Mack had their own 'baby' engines before that. I am sure someone will confirm or correct me on that.

As a Mack enthusiast, I have read a lot about Mack and asked questions of people who know much about them. Through out that, much has been said about the Maxidyne , Thermodyne and later engines, but what about early Mack diesel engines? There are plenty of references of Mack being the first U.S truck maker to offer its own diesel engines in 1938, and about some influenced by French designs, but not much about how these engines performed or stacked up to other diesel engines at the time. I have seen older LJ era Macks with Cummins but no Mack Diesels in that era trucks. Were Mack diesels around or widely used in trucks during WWII? I am sure others would love to hear the Mack experts on here fill in the gaps about this part of Mack's history