Break the law and you can get your very own free ride on this bus! Just be warned, the seat belt system can be very restrictive. The Onondaga County Sheriff runs this Freightliner M2 Business Class shuttling around prisoners. At least that is my best guess. Click on the photo for a larger view.
International Harvester changed the advertising world forever in 1911 with the production of “Back to the Old Farm,” the world’s first commercial film.
Shown in local theaters, all early films were 35mm and featured tractors, trucks and many educational subjects. The advent of 16mm film and portable projectors allowed convenient showings for the dealer open house and other groups and clubs. Many Harvester films from the 40′s and 50′s were major productions with well known actors that had the unique ability to entertain and showcase IH equipment.
The 60′s brought Harvester’s own film studio and a flood of award winning films that continued until the age of video. No other corporation has ever equaled International Harvester’s incredible film chronicle. The precious gift of showing past generations the future and future generations the past are the unequaled film legacy of International Harvester.
Sounds great! Such a classic treasure trove of pure American history available to all to enjoy for years to come. Sadly, some feeble minded corporate fool had the entire collection destroyed in 1991. Seventy years of International Harvester and American history gone for all times. My wife equated it to the burning of the library of Alexandria. I couldn’t agree more. Thankfully a few fair sighted individuals retained copies of select films and begin an intensive search for remaining copies. Because of their remarkable efforts we can still enjoy these fine films of the extensive International Harvester product line today.
I can personally speak to the quality of the films as I received the first DVD of the collection for my birthday this past August. It is simply amazing to see the trucks, tractors and factories of yesterday in brand new condition. The volume of information is simply overwhelming. You don’t have to be an IH fan to enjoy these restored films. Students of American history will find much to revel in.
Check out the site today, they have samples of each video, enjoy!
*Read in voice of Rod Serling* Picture if you will a remote pacific island. The sandy beaches and lush tropical vegetation are a veritable paradise on earth. The crew of Warburton Oil Resources Company are used to such exotic locales, for them it is just another job. They are the masters or large machines used to mold the earth to the whims and demands of men. Little do these modern day roughnecks now that a force from beyond the stars is set to challenge the status quo, the slave will becomes the master.
To keep with the spirit of the day I submit the following 70’s cult movie for your consideration, Killdozer. The story is a simple one. A construction crew on a pacific island (or coast of Africa) are terrorized by an alien possesed Caterpillar D9 dozer. Yes, it seems like a movie perfect for the Myster Science Theater 3000 crew. But for the lovers of heavy equipment there is much to enjoy. To begin, the mechanical star of the movie is a Caterpillar D8 bulldozer. There is no shortage of gear shifting, smoke stack belching, track grinding mayhem. The supporting cast of equipment is extensive as well. A large caterpillar scraper, old Jeeps and Ford pickups, and on old Power Shovel that does battle with the D9. In all honesty, the acting really is quite good. Take a look.
Warning, the following clip is the end of the movie!
Happy Halloween!
I stumbled upon this GMC 8500 a few months back and forgot about it…until now. Like most trucks in the Lost and Found category it has seen better days. Some where along the line the 8500’s grill went missing and a fair amount of surface rust set in. As for the model year I would guess mid to late 60’s. For the engine, probably a large gas job(V6 emblem on hood)but if you know better please let me know.
Click for larger image
*UPDATE*
Doug over Hanks Truck Forum informs us that this truck was most likely powered by a GM Toro-Flow which was a converted V-6 gas engine.
Do you know of an old truck hiding after years of hard work? Email Me!
For those of you holding your breath while waiting for a Detroit Diesel manufactured axles, exhale. For those of you waiting for Detroit Diesel transmissions, keep holding. The long awaited announcement has finally occurred, Detroit Diesel will introduce a full range of powertrain products in the coming years. Up first, axles. Look for their debut at the Mid-American Truck show this coming March. Detroit executives have also hinted at possible medium and heavy duty truck transmissions as future products. The question. What does Detroit hope to gain by offering such products? The answer lies with the parent company, Daimler Trucks North America, builder of Freightliner and Western Star trucks. By owning a company that makes not only only engines but other core components you gain control of production volume, quality control, and component availability. With truck sales continuing to increase many manufacturers across the industry have found their production crimped by lack of crucial supplies from their vendors. You can’t sell it if you can’t build it. DD Executives also cite economies of scale as another solid reason for the new product line. They claim it is necessary to have a wide variety of products necessary to support the R&D required to meet new and coming government mandates.
Source: FleetOwner
Clearly, this is not packing a diesel but I think it’s cool enough for a post on this site. This appears to be an old Zamboni, maybe from the 60’s? The Norfolk Community Center doesn’t ring any bells either, certainly not from the CNY area. Chances are good that this Zamboni was built on a Jeep CJ chassis as it was the style of the time.
Click on the photo for a slightly larger version.
Economically speaking, times are tough but there are signs of light on the horizon. Truck manufactures in all segments are reporting rising sales and increased demand. And, as we all know, heavy truck sales are a leading sign of economic growth/recovery. So, who’s making the money? Today, PACCAR announced that its’ third quarter earnings nearly doubled following an 80% increase in North American sales and a 64% increase in the European market. Guess I should have bought stock BEFORE this announcement.
Peterbilt 389
Old Cranes, are they diesel related? Yes, in fact, most cranes have two power sources, one to move the crane and one to lift the load. Much like these two. I am unsure of the year for both makes. Lorain Crane appears to no longer be a commercial name plate while American Crane still exists in some form. If you know more about these two cranes let me know.
Click each photo for a larger image.
Lorain Motor-Crane
American Crane
Here is another old truck gem hiding in plain site. Pick your favorite origin story for this truck as it wears Oklahoma plates, a Texas registration sticker and NY Heavy Use tax stickers from 2003. CAT Powered? Could be. The cab doors still bear the faint lettering of McNitt of Houston, Texas. Will it ever see the road again? Who knows.
Click to expand image
Do you know of an old truck hiding after years of hard work? Email Me!
Patrick sent this photo a few days ago of a truck located at Clark Concrete in Syracuse, NY. Clearly, this poor rig was a victim of a fire. Hopefully no one was injured. The engine appears to have been painted yellow so I’m guessing it was a CAT. Other than that, there is not much left that can be used to make a positive ID. My guess, Kenworth. How about you?
