60 years of the R model in Australia

[mrsmackpaul]

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

[mowerman]

That was excellent thanks for that. Paul pretty much the same thing over here….. I read somewhere years ago they sold more Mack’s here between 68-72 than the rest put together I believe that because standing at the New Haven conn toll plaza around 1971 … I would see one Mack after the next mostly U models  … bob

[Brocky]

Paul, Thank you for that post. Australia's biggest conservator of Mack equipment and history  is probably Tony Champion of Rockhampton QLD. Below is a link to the pictures of my visit to his facility in 2015. Click on the picture and the album will open.The R-800 in one of the first back lot pictures is now restored and there was an article about it in a recent ATCA Double Clutch magazine.

 

[mowerman]

Wow thanks for that brocky

[bulldogboy]

A great looking collection. That early "B" model fire engine with a set back front axle is unique. Was most of his collection imported?

Thanks for posting.

[Brocky]

6 hours ago, bulldogboy said:

Was most of his collection imported?

NO.. The majority are Australian trucks even though several are American trucks he has imported. There were a  few years that LHD vehicles were allowed be used in Australia. The Mayne Nickless H model is one of them. Paul Mrs Mack can clarify better.  Tony was also a Cat dealer at one time and his restoration shop is pictured in the old Cat building.

[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