Where to start restoration

[Bradf]

My family is wanting to restoring our 1956 Mack Semi Truck.  It has been stored in a cold storage building since the late 70s.  The interior is shot, lots of rodent damage.  Is there restoration shops that specialize in Mack’s, or do we look for general truck restoration shops?  We are in Iowa, but I could haul it to the right place

 

thanks

[67RModel]

I would say probably the best known Mack restoration shop / specialist is Matt Pfahl in Connecticut. The other one I know of is Mickey's Macks, owner Mickey Delia in Jersey. I have zero experience with either of them, however, their names have come up often over the years when discussing Mack restorations and from what I have heard are they both highly regarded. 

[1961H67]

That all depends on how much money they want to spend, and how “ Nice “ they want the end result. It’s very labor intensive and a lot different restoring a 56 Mack vs a 56 Chevy. But it can be done, and there are shops out there that can provide that service. 

[70mackMB]

Bradf, Welcome to BMT!       l don't know of Mickey's but l have seen Matt's work and it looks better than new.    .....Hippy  

[Brocky]

As Dean said above, ANY restoration is very labor intensive!!!! With restoration shops getting big buck$ per hour!! How much of the work can you / your family do yourselves????? What are your mechanical and/or body skills???? Do you have a facility to work in??? Does your family want a showroom perfect restoration or just a very showable truck??? Take a bunch of pictures (post them here!) and visit the Iowa 80 museum in Walcott IA and ask a bunch of questions.. They will also know of vendors in your general area to do individual parts of the restoration: Engine, Brakes, interior, and paint..  IF you can do a lot of the work, there is a LOT of help and information on this forum. With no pictures it is hard to guesstimate how much it would cost, BUT for a top showroom restoration, entirely by an outside shop, I am guessing off the top of my head, the price would be well in excess of $100K!!! The bottom line is your ability's and checkbook VS your family's wants!!!!!!!!!

[h67st]

2 hours ago, Brocky said:

As Dean said above, ANY restoration is very labor intensive!!!! With restoration shops getting big buck$ per hour!! How much of the work can you / your family do yourselves????? What are your mechanical and/or body skills???? Do you have a facility to work in??? Does your family want a showroom perfect restoration or just a very showable truck??? Take a bunch of pictures (post them here!) and visit the Iowa 80 museum in Walcott IA and ask a bunch of questions.. They will also know of vendors in your general area to do individual parts of the restoration: Engine, Brakes, interior, and paint..  IF you can do a lot of the work, there is a LOT of help and information on this forum. With no pictures it is hard to guesstimate how much it would cost, BUT for a top showroom restoration, entirely by an outside shop, I am guessing off the top of my head, the price would be well in excess of $100K!!! The bottom line is your ability's and checkbook VS your family's wants!!!!!!!!!

Plus one on Brocky's comments, I spent $62k on mine and that was with me doing quite a bit of the work.