Maximum Overdrive

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Eric

Killed by a soda machine. Strangled to death by a walkman. The members of AC/DC (maybe) crashing off a drawbridge to their doom. This is just a small selection of the scenes that await the viewer of Maximum Overdrive, Stephen Kings only directorial effort. The general plot of the movie is this, inanimate objects come to life and kill their human owners. Toasters, lawn mowers, arcades games and of course, the humble semi truck. The movie features a variety of now classic rigs, here is a short list.

  • Mack Cruiseliner (at least seven!)
  • International Transtar
  • Brockway 400 Series C/O
  • Diamond Reo
  • White 9000
  • Autocar A64

The best part? The trucks are not static props in the background, they are used in nearly every scene to terrorize and at times kill their former human overlords. Click here for the listing of the diesel stars (with photos) from the movie. But of all the classic trucks from the movie perhaps none is more well known than the Western Star with the sinister green goblin on the grill.

Now I will admit, I haven’t seen this movie in a very, very, very, long time but when I saw this ’77 White Western Star arriving at the ATHS Hudson Mohawk truck show I new exactly where I had seen it before.

White Western Star – Click to Enlarge

Even without the goblin the look of this truck head-on is some what intimidating. *NOTE* This is not the actual truck from the movie, just a similar model.

White Western Star – Click to Enlarge

Thankfully, this truck didn’t become sentient while I was filming the video below.

 

Unless the machines rise up tonight expect more coverage of ATHS show from Ballston Spa tomorrow!

 

Posted in Famous Trucks, Truck Show | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Macks on the Hudson

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Eric

The other day I mentioned that the ATHS show in Ballston Spa had a heavy concentration of Mack trucks. You can take my world or enjoy the photos and video below. Once again, I was drawn to a former Mullins truck but was equally impressed by a very nice and very blue B-61 dump truck.

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Let’s hear it for the Autocar Trucks!

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Eric

This past weekend was the 22nd ATHS Hudson Mohwak truck show in Ballston Spa, NY. If you remember the coverage of past years you will know this show always has a great contingent of trucks on hand. The Hudson Mohawk chapter has some serious collectors who are absolutely nuts about trucks. International, Brockways, and Macks seem to be the preferred brands with a healthy mix of Autocars, Kenworths, and Peterbilts thrown in for good measure. It’s a recipe for a great show. That being said, the Autocar turn out was huge this year. One of the stand out models for me was the All Wheel Drive Autocar DK tow truck. It seems to be a near match this Syracuse DPW model. The collection of heavy haul Autocar DC trucks (plus one B-Model Mack) from John Mullins Rigging and Hauling were equally impressive. I’ll let the photos below do the talking from this point on.

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What? You thought there would be no video? Check out this great collection of Brockways and one massive Kenworth. If you are familiar with my YouTube videos you’ll know that this truck is packing a Detroit 12V71. It’s loud. It’s smokes. It leaves a trail of destruction in  its wake.

 

Did you notice that sweet Brockway tow truck at the start of the video? The owner kindly offered me a chance to drive it on to the show field but I went stupid and turned him down. I expect many sleepless nights from that decision. OH WELL! There is much more to come from this show in the following days.

Posted in Truck Show | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Even More Truck Show Coverage

Posted on September 23, 2012 by Eric

Yesterday I went to the ATHS show in Ballston Spa, NY. As usual there was a huge turn out of trucks. Keep watching for updates. In the mean time please enjoy this video from the ATCA Harford show from a few weeks back.

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Your Photos

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Eric

It’s always a good day when I receive photos like the ones below. To start Joe sends this insane Kenworth used to haul the funny car of Mike Knowles. I like how the truck is registered as private RV. Toss the log book right out the window!

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This Kenworth looks like a W900. If you know better please speak up.

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Moving to the other end of the truck spectrum Patrick sends in this Brockway 361. *Correction 761*

Brockway 361 – Click to Enlarge

Hiding in the weeds near Johnstown, PA. Can it be saved? Will ever run again? We may never know.

Do you have any photos/videos/stories you would like to share? Email Me!

 

Posted in Lost and Found, On the Job | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

On the Job – Saunders Mack

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Eric

The last Daily Diesel Dose topic about a ready-mix truck was 50 calendar days ago. I can hear the screams of outrage across the globe as I admit to this travesty so please accept this Mack DM(?) as an apology.

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I’m guessing this truck is a DM based on the offset cab. If you know better please let me know.

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The Making of a Monster

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Eric

Watch out, someone went crazy with the checkboxes on the factory build sheet with this International Workstar 6×6. As you can see, this truck towers over its puny 4×2 brother in the background.

International Workstar – Click to Enlarge

I would love to see this truck when it is finally outfitted for the job. Naturally, I’m guessing a plow and two wings will be in its future.

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Posted in At the Dealer | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

On the Job – Brockway 359

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Eric

Upstate New York is a beautiful part of the country with a long list of positive attributes. Many are familiar with the complete four seasons, abundant natural beauty, strong university system and the presence of NYC only a short four hours away. What could be better? Brockway Trucks. Yes, upstate and the surrounding areas are still bursting with working examples of this historic truck brand. The 359 pictured below is a great example.

Brockway 359 – Click to Enlarge

Owned by Economy Paving this truck is on the job helping to completely rebuild a local roadway. Truck spotters at BrockwayTrucks.org have seen this rig at various job sites throughout the New York state. The educated identify this truck as being Detroit powered, a turbo 671 to be exact. I am fairly sure this is not the only Brockway owned by Economy Paving but I have yet to gain photographic evedice so stay tuned.

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Lost and Found – Brockway 359

 

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National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

Posted on September 16, 2012 by Eric

September 16-22nd is  National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.  Now is a good time to reflect on the simple fact that if you have it most likely a truck brought it.  Thank you to all the drivers who spend days and weeks away from their families and homes to bring us the products and goods we need to function as a society.  It’s a difficult job dealing with tight deadlines, overbearing government authorities and the ever increasing number of fools on the road.  Truck drivers of America we salute you!

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eBay Finds – 1956 Oshkosh Pickup

Posted on September 15, 2012 by Eric

Past eBay finds on this site have included former heavy duty trucks converted into “pickups”, mostly in the form of military transport trucks that have been bobtailed. I like those trucks and would certainly buy one if my lotto numbers came in. This one for instance was over the top perfect.  However, if you like that more subdued classic look you might be interested in this ’56 Oshkosh.

The seller lists this truck as a former military plow rig that was reconditioned in 2005.  It has an unspecified CAT engine matted to a three speed automatic which can (eventually) propel you to a top speed of 55! The Buy It Now price is hefty 25,000 bucks which works out to be dollar a pound based on the owner supplied weight of the truck.  Start rolling your pennies!

Click here for the full eBay listing.

Posted in eBay Finds | Tagged , , | 1 Comment