Coca Cola LJ Mack colors

[Truckcrazy]

18 minutes ago, Brocky said:

Dean, I found it when I was going thru some old albums looking for Georgia Macks for the new thread.. Wasn't there a member on here from Georgia by the name od Shawn Carlson??? I think he had some Macks???

Yep.  I believe Shawn moved there from NJ. He had a blue and while R700 that was pretty neat.  I saw a photo of it not long ago. 

[harrybarbon]

12 hours ago, 1961H67 said:

Brocky , Thanks for sending me this old picture from 2011 in Cherokee NC , I think we were getting ready for a parade. I figured I’d share your picture of Dads C Model,, Every time I go up I75 I think about Dad Running  Cincinnati from Spartanburg in this truck, I won’t even drive it to Cherokee, I haul it!!! It rides Terrible! He was A Old School Trucker for Sure. 

Dean I can understand the hard ride, my B model was nasty bobtail. The C model for the non purist could be modified into an interesting drive. Similar to the early S model KW. I think the C model is a better looking unit than the early S model KW, the KW cab was like a dog kennel. C model has the LT cab and being lifted the vision would be pretty good. Extend the frame, air bag rears, 4.17 or better diffs, one of those unpainted aluminium Mercury period sleepers, a Mack E6 2 or 4 valve with Mack 12 spd and upgraded brakes and a classy period paint job with some scrolls, anyway just a dream for now. 

Actually, there is a C model sitting in a shed over here that maybe I could be tempted and then my dream 😀  

[1961H67]

That’s a pretty good Dream,, It would be different that’s for sure! I’ll probably leave it like Dad used it, Then the next generation can drive it and know What the GREATEST GENERATION went through. 

[harrybarbon]

On 7/30/2025 at 12:42 AM, 1961H67 said:

That’s a pretty good Dream,, It would be different that’s for sure! I’ll probably leave it like Dad used it, Then the next generation can drive it and know What the GREATEST GENERATION went through. 

Agreed. No air ride seats, solid springs, armstrong special steering, bench seat with home pillows, air conditioning was windows wild open, steel cab with no insulation - 120 in summer and ice cold in winter, the cab was the sleeper cab (in the S model KW could barely lay sideways or legs out the window, engine noise was entertainment ............

When my dad got their first Mercedes Benz the 1418 and 1924 conventional cabs late 1960's, it was like stepping into a new world -excellent power steering at slow movement (could turn with 1 finger) and gradually stiffened with higher speed and direct, quieter motors, big cab and cooler (but no air con).  

[mowerman]

I think the roughest truck I ever drove bobtail was fedex T800 single axle spring suspension even with a loaded box they were rough riding on a rough road .. bob

[1961H67]

My Grandson and Me had a great time at Mack Trucks 125 celebration at Truist Point Stadium in High Point,NC last night, Many Thanks for all the people who put it together, and all the employees of Mack who showed up with their families .It was a honor to bring the LJ and be a part of it. I think my Grandson or Me must have talked to about all the 5,000 people that showed up, and the hundreds of kids that had their picture taken behind the wheel of the LJ ,, Hopefully great memories! Here are some pictures of the journey and the fun event. Great talking with Stephen Roy , Mack Truck President,Global ( Pictured with us ) And Jonathan Randall ,President of Mack North America and Many more Mack Engineers and employees about some of the years of change between the LJ and the Pioneer. 

[h67st]

That LJ sure shines under the lights, it turned out fantastic even though it went through the flood!

[1961H67]

Thank you, yes my Grandson told a lot of people about it surviving the flood and showed them all the pictures in his album. Hopefully he will stay interested with it to take it to shows when Mack turns 150 ! 

[mowerman]

Hopefully, we’ll all be here. Almost missed this one. Thanks for all the photos Dean.

[1961H67]

Yes ! It’s only 25 years, it will go by fast! I already told Dawson that’s his Responsibility, he’ll be 35 ! 

[mrsmackpaul]

Great stuff, really impressive 

 

Paul

[1961H67]

Mack’s had their own photographer at the 125th Celebration, They sent me these . 75 years from the LJ to the Pioneer , and Dawson with his photo album. 

[mowerman]

Excellent thanks for that…. Hard to believe your truck is that old. 

[mattb73lt]

That last picture of your grandson in the cab is awesome!! Glad you're getting out there with it an enjoying it.

[1961H67]

Thank You, He should have some good memories helping me rebuild the LJ , it’s hard to believe it’s been 5 years since we pulled it out of the shed in pieces. He should be able to write a book when he’s older on the restoration of a LJ Mack . This was the first picture I took when we uncovered it and pushed it into the shop. March 2020 . 5 years old. 

[cruiseliner64]

Wow great picture.Keep him at it.25 years ago I was restoring 4X4s and cars and my then 5 year old son was always in the garage with me He'd get covered in oil and dirt and his mom would explode at me...25 years later he's a time served mechanic and last year he got his degree in mech.engineering through his job and was appointed engineering manager.He has not left where he came from behind and still picks up the tools with the guys he works with.When appointed I turned to his mom and said"bet your glad he came in covered in oil now".....keep your granson at it,great things await him.....

Paul

[1961H67]

Congratulations on your Son’s success! Yes hopefully I’ll keep him interested in these older trucks, and hopefully he will get some experience with the newer vehicles. I retired from Ryder Transportation in 2017 after 32 years, When I started with them we had some Cruiseliners and a lot of changes in 32 years, the trucking industry went through drastic changes between 1984 and 2017 , from E6 Mack’s , Big Cam Cummins, 3406A Cats , 92 Detroits was the Top of the Line in 84 , I saw the very first 60 Series Detroit test engine, Ryder was always the first to get the latest technology, When I retired in 17 My last fleet of 16 trucks were DD15 with automatic transmissions and some D13 Volvos. There were days and days where you would not get a tool out of your box ,, it was all troubleshooting with a laptop. I tell my Grandson to learn both,, even if he runs his own trucks he will know how to work on them,,

[cruiseliner64]

Yes make sure he learns both.While my son has to use the latest tech he loves working on the old stuff.He likes not having a computer telling him what to do but working it out himself...Your job with Ryder sounds like it was very interesting and yes the changes in the industry in the last 30 years were astounding.Your granson has the very best teacher.....

Paul

[1961H67]

Thank You,, I’ll do my best to keep him heading in the right direction. 

[mowerman]

You probably remember my 82 cruise liner was an ex RYDER 

[1961H67]

I’m unsure how many Cruiseliners Ryder had , They would by a fleet if a customer wanted them. Then some times they would just buy a bunch for the rental fleet. A lot of there trucks had no power steering when I started. And they were Big on Cummins. That’s actually how I got started with Ryder, I was working in the truck shop at our local Caterpillar dealer, Wilsonart moved some trucks here from there Texas fleet ( 1983 359 Pete’s , 3406As ) there were 12 , Leased through Ryder, they had no one or tools to work on them,so they brought them to Cat , after a year they offered me a job, I left Cat making $7.25 , went to Ryder for $7.35 ! Wilsonart ( kitchen counter tops ) increased their fleet, built a plant , warehouse. I stayed with Ryder 32 more years managing that fleet of trucks. Ryder and Wilsonart were good people. When I retired and decided to start hauling heavy equipment with my Son and a friend of his I had 2 retirement party’s , one at Ryder and one at Wilsonart. My son a few days old, 1990 , My wife and Me, Last Day 2017 . From a 1983 to a 2017 I saw a LOT of changes with those Red & White trucks! 

[mowerman]

Excellent thanks for that. You don’t even look that different. .. Bob