2016 CNY ATHS Chapter Truck Show

Posted on July 12, 2016 by Eric

Many of the bigger classic truck shows around the country grab all the attention when it comes to social media and other online sources. With hundreds of trucks descending onĀ massive show grounds some people right off the “smaller” shows like the CNY ATHS chapter show held yearly at Long Branch Park in Liverpool, NY. That’s a shame, there are some great trucks and people at your local shows. Chances are high that you haven’t seen a Detroit Diesel (4-53) powered 1964 E45 Studebaker before this photo. If you had gone to the show you would have. šŸ˜‰

Studebaker Diesel Truck

For some reason the past three years of this show have been cursed with rain and overcast skies but that still didn’t stop the trucks from coming out.

CNY Classic Truck Show

Even the tow trucks from Pullens put on a mini show.

Pullens Tow Truck

Many more videos and other coverage of this show to come later in the week. Enjoy!

 

 

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Autocar Mondays – The Only One

Posted on July 11, 2016 by Eric

If you go to a classic truck show and there are no Autocar trucks present can it really be considered a truck show?

Thankfully we won’t have to answer that question when it comes the CNY chapter of the ATHS as they scored one Autocar truck at their annual show. That’s all it takes. Unlike last week’sĀ truck I don’t know much about this one. It appears to have come from New Jersey and is covered in original “art work”. Check out that slogan, “we dig your hole”, get it? You can’t make this stuff up.

Autocar Truck

It came the show on the back of a really nice Mack Superliner. The two make an attractive pair. Watch them hit the road below.

In the coming days we’ll see more from this show that played a crucial role in the formation of this website.

 

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Austin-Western Motor Graders

Posted on July 10, 2016 by Eric

I still have a few more interesting items for the Palmyra municipal auction from late May in the form of motor graders, Austin-Western graders to be exact. I immediately gravitated to one of the oldest machines in the group, a 1961 Super 100 with six wheel drive. This machine was painted in red and came with appeared to be a old fire truck light. Not your typical DPW colors of orange or yellow. It came to the auction by the way of Pendleton, NY. There is probably an interesting story behind the color but damned if I know what it is. Final hammer price on this classic machine was 2,000. Check the video below for a view of the cab with more than enough levers and buttons to go around.

Below, a more complete view of the grader offerings.

Used Motor Graders

And more select angles.

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When You Need Service

Posted on July 9, 2016 by Eric

Here is an ad that I ripped right from the heart of the May 14th, 1960 edition of the Saturday Evening Post. Most of the magazine is in tough shape but the International advertisement has passed the test of time. IHC seemed to advertise in many of the mainstream publications of the time, more so than any other brand. Here we see International tooting its horn regarding not only its comprehensive model lineup but also the 5,000 strong dealer network reaching from coast to coast. And don’t forget about the 12 mammoth parts depots! A strong dealer network is essential to any modern truck manufacturer. In fact, it’s one of the main reasons International is still successful to this very day. When any rumor of take over by a foreign body rears its ugly head the large dealer network is always touted as one of the most attractive pieces of the Navistar empire. It very well could be the largest and most expensive part faced by any company looking to setup shop in the United States, an expense that is usually prohibitive to entry. Click on the ad below to see a larger version.

IHC Truck Ad

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1953 White Fire Truck

Posted on July 8, 2016 by Eric

One of my favorite streets in town has to beĀ aĀ 800 foot stretch of 6th North Street just west of Hiawatha Blvd. Seemingly nothing more than a collection of repurposed or abandoned industrial buildings this strip of broken asphalt has provide more than a few jems over the years. Remember this Brockway 359? Or the remains of an Syracuse DPW Autocar? Or this CSX locomotive?Ā Get the picture? If you look closely in the background you’ll notice a Mack truck or two. They have also been featured on this site but I can’t seem to find them at the moment. But that’s enough of past topics, lets focus on the present.

I originally had no plans to head down this street until I noticed this old fire truck sitting at a truck repair shop. I quickly made a U-Turn and headed back to view what turned out to be an White fire truck.

White Fire Truck

The door and hood clearly show the former shield of the Merrimac, Mass fire department. Not knowing too much, if anything, about old fire trucks I turned to my old friend Google. I figured at some point, someone, had to take a picture of this truck when it was still in active service. Once again the information age did not disappoint and I quickly found the backstory on this truck. On FireNews.org you’ll find this truck appearing in four different shots. It’s listed as both Engine 33 and 3. Hmmm. It’s also listed as a 1956 and 1952 model White. Hmmm. Heading over to the actual Merrimac Fire Department page you’ll find yet another conflicting date, this time the truck is listed a ’53. I’ll stick with the information from the original owners.Ā The actual firefighting power comes from aĀ Farrah body that carries 650 gallons of water that flows through a 550 GPM front mounted pump. Gas powered and with low gears this truck is able to creep and pump at the same time which makes it perfect for brush fire applications.

No word on how it ended up here in Syracuse. Maybe it’s found a new local owner or maybe it’s just laying over on its journey to some other destination. Cool rig either way.

UPDATE:

I was browsing through Craigslist the other day when I came across the listing for this truck. Officially it is listed as a 1953Ā White WC20 with a WhiteĀ 130A G L12 6 cyl gas engine. A 5 speed manual is waiting for you to row through the gears. Below, a few more photos from the original ad. Asking price is $9,500.

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The Northside

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Eric

Some around town might say the northside is the wrong side with rising crime and increasing poverty. I suppose we can pinpoint the fall to when the Wegmans on Pond Street closed. If you are not from the area the previous two sentences really didn’t mean that much to you but the trucks seen below might.

Old Trucks

The old Ford is a familiar face to me as IĀ spent plenty of time watching it work during the Connective Corridor project that took place the past two years. Back then it looked a little better. Gone are the Alcoa floats along with chrome strips from the grill and driver’s side headlight. The hood, always a leaner, seems to be getting worse. For reference, this photo from 2014.

Ford Louisville Dump Truck

To the the best of my knowledge this truck never crossed the pages of this website until this time. No time like the present!

Old Trucks

The old S-Series International clearly is an ex-NYSDOT unit. It’s still wearing the auction paperwork on the windshield and most likely came from the sale held at the Region 3 HQ this past May. I hope Big Brother is watching as these two need all the help they can get.

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Autocar Mondays – Aluminum Recycling

Posted on July 4, 2016 by Eric

The beer can in your hand this holiday weekend has something in common with this Autocar. They’re both cool and made of aluminum. But please, whatever you do, do not attempt to crush the Autocar on your forehead.

Ed sends along these great shots of a 1958 A-75T currently residing in Colonie, NY. The current owner kept an eye on this rig for a number of years as it hauled a dump trailer between a gravel pit in Troy and a block company in Colonie. After the truck was parked for the last time a deal was eventually struck that put the Autocar in good hands and awaiting a restoration. It’s currently in line behind two 1940’s Internationals. Patience is a virtue.

IMG_0078

With an aluminum frame, cab, and hood this truck has aged well with regards to the tin worm. Between the fiberglass fenders you’ll find a 220HP Cummins connected to a 10 speed Fuller transmission.

IMG_0079

What a great find. If I was the owner I would be half tempted to put the truck back in mechanical shape and then run it as it is. You just can’t beat that original look. Thanks for sharing Ed.

Have you seen an Autocar you would like to see featured on Autocar Mondays? EmailĀ eric@dailydieseldose.comĀ today!

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Lost and Found – Reo Snow Blower

Posted on July 3, 2016 by Eric

Not too long ago I was in the wonderful lakeside city of Geneva, NY spending a nice afternoon out with the wife. On the way out of town I noticed a sign for the Geneva DPW office and garage. I made a quick U-Turn that would make any normal wife yell with frustration by mine hardly batted an eye. I guess after so many years of such behavior you just learn to roll with it. The Geneva garage had nothing of interest. In fact I barely stopped to look once I saw this yellow monster sitting in nearby field.

Reo Snow Blower

My immediate thought was this truck was NYDOT surplus. The color and the faded circle on the door all but made up my mind. The fact that the truck is in really amazing shape with zero rust and minimal wear and tear made think it was pampered at the hands of a luxurious state funded garage. Last night I messaged these pics to Ryan, the sultan of all things related to plowing in Upstate, NY and of course he had seen this truck and actually knew some of the back story.

Reo Snow Blower

The last recorded owner was the Town of Columbia, NY.Ā Back in 2014 they put the truck for auction at everyone’s favorite website, Auctions International. Listed as aĀ 1967 REO E-512-D this truck has two Cummins engines with Spicer 5652 transmission. AWD is a given and all functions of the truck remain intact. Just look at the sheet metal on this machine. Near perfect.Ā The final selling price was 4,550 big ones. Another steal!

Here we see the Reo with it’s barn mate prior to the sale, the hero of North Country highway departments, the Walter.

Town of Columbia

The good folks at Auctions International even put together a video of the truck running so you can hear the Cummins at work while watching the Bros blower blades in action.

Now I want one. Winter is coming.

 

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Macks and GMC Trucks

Posted on July 1, 2016 by Eric

Do you remember the International CXT? Everyone went nuts over that truck when it came out. It was a hot seller that was perfectly timed to coincided with the gas guzzling phase of the American Automobiles known as the midĀ 2000’s. As cool as the the CXT was it doesn’t hold a candle to this Mack. Named the Jack, in honor Jack Mack, co-founder of Mack Trucks, this bulldogĀ is an 800 HP, AWD, crew cab monster. Produced at the Leigh Valley Operations cab and vehicle assembly this truck is one of a kind with a 800HP turbo charged diesel lurking under the hood to shame nearly every other vehicle on the road.

Jack Mack

This truck was on display outside of the Macungie assembly plant along with a few other notable Macks. It was stressed many times over during the bus ride and while walking through the plant that Jack was not for sale and another like it would never be produced. The value of the truck was mentioned as close to one million dollars.

Mack Crew Cab Truck

Now I’m not in the business of building or selling trucks but I can you tell you this, if you build a limited series, maybe 10 or 20, you will find enough people to buy them. Rap stars. Sports stars. Trust fund babies. A Saudi prince that must have one of every vehicle ever produced. The demand is there. What other truck is Mack currently building that sells for a cool million? BUILD THIS!

In the gallery below you have two Pinnacles, one setup for NASCAR as Mack is the new preferred tow vehicle and one setup to honor the branches of the armed services.

Now, if you don’t like Macks maybe these GMC’s will seem more appealing to you?

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ATHS Nutmeg Chapter Truck Show

Posted on June 30, 2016 by Eric

It’s getting to the point where I can provide good truck show coverage while never leaving the comfort of my own home. Last week the Nutmeg Chapter of the ATHS held their annual truck show at the fairgrounds in Brooklyn, CT. As it happens Zack was passing by through the area and decided to stop for a look. It was late in the afternoon and many of the trucks had already hit the road, typical truck show behavior. šŸ˜‰

Still, there were more than a few cool trucks to see like this 1929 Mack AB.

1929 Mack AB dump truck

Or this nifty D-Series International pickup.

International D-Series Pickup

Great collection of trucks from old to older, small to large.

It’s no secret that I love capturing the action of a truck show in video format. Thankfully I have a New England counterpart who feels the same way. Check out this video from the aptly named Youtube channel of Trukluver.Ā A few of the trucks seen above make an appearance along with a few others not seen by Zack. My personal favorites are the 40’s Ford (?) with a Cummins and the GM Newlook “fishbowl” bus.

And if the above wasn’t enough check out this Flickr galleryĀ that fills in all the gaps nicely. The single axle Brockway rollback is well worth a look. Thanks to Zack for sharing the photos and getting the ball rolling on this post. Make sure to check out his website to satisfy your inner fire truck fan.

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