Not A Bertram...But a Classic B

Bob H. · Post by **Bob H.** » Jul 2nd, '09, 12:48

Like Bertrams...they don't make em like this any more...1956 B-61 Mack, 711 Thermodyne, triplex two stick 15 speed gear box...learned to drive on a similar truck..three year rebuild...now back to the boat..just thought you guys would enjoy it..BH

Charlie J · Post by **Charlie J** » Jul 2nd, '09, 13:04

i like it, real nice bob

Tommy · Post by **Tommy** » Jul 2nd, '09, 13:46

Bob,

That's a beauty; she needs to be in a museum!

Carl · Post by **Carl** » Jul 2nd, '09, 13:50

Very Cool!!! Thanks for sharing.

Garry · Post by **Garry** » Jul 2nd, '09, 14:28

Sweet ride....

Rawleigh · Post by **Rawleigh** » Jul 2nd, '09, 15:38

I love B61's!! I have a 1988 R88ST, but the B61 is my favorite! I love them with the chrome grill. I assume the interior is still painted Mack green? Wow, a triplex two stick! That must take some fancy shifting!

AndreF · Post by **AndreF** » Jul 2nd, '09, 16:17

Real nice

Brewster Minton · Post by **Brewster Minton** » Jul 2nd, '09, 17:31

I love that.

Tony Meola · Post by **Tony Meola** » Jul 2nd, '09, 18:10

Now that is what a truck should look like. A real Beuty.

Pete Fallon · Post by **Pete Fallon** » Jul 2nd, '09, 18:58

Bob H,
Nice restoration, I used to drive a 1960 B 60 fire truck in MA back in the early 70's, 2 man cab, 750 gpm pump, 500 gallon water tank, had to know how to double clutch in those days. Pretty work.

Harry Babb · Post by **Harry Babb** » Jul 2nd, '09, 23:03

Nice Bob...really nice.

I worked for Gulf Coast Trucks, Mack Dealer in Mobile Alabama, from 1973 until 1977.

The B model's were my favorite. My job there was to rebuild and repair drivelines. There is no telling how many "Duplex", "Triplex" and "Quadraplex" trannys I have rebuilt.....I can tell you that they are Sherman Tank strong.

The next generation was the MaxiDyne series. The Maxitorque transmission is an aluminum housing with 3 Countershafts.....again bulldozer strong.

I don't know the torque of the 711, but the 675 has just over 900 Foot pounds of torque.....Macks are not necessarily the fastest on the street but they will pull hell off of a hindge.

Great truck and great restoration....got any under the hood pics????

Harry

I heard that Mack was bought by Volvo....you know anything about that??

Buju · Post by **Buju** » Jul 3rd, '09, 05:00

I personally love about anything that you can look at, and tell your kids
"they sure don't make 'em like that anymore"
Of which our Bertrams, and this Mack certainly fall into the category. Really, really nice job.

gplume · Post by **gplume** » Jul 3rd, '09, 06:49

Bob-

Where'd hide this one......I did't see it parked next to your Bertram. Grew up around trucks myself...family owned Motor Truck Sales in Fall River, so I can really appreciate the old classic.

Giff

randall · Post by **randall** » Jul 3rd, '09, 07:32

thats just a really really nice piece of metal. what do you do with it?

Capt. DQ · Post by **Capt. DQ** » Jul 3rd, '09, 17:33

Now thats a real nice bulldog there Bob.

DQ

jspiezio · Post by **jspiezio** » Jul 3rd, '09, 19:02

Dream truck right there

Harv · Post by **Harv** » Jul 3rd, '09, 21:13

Me Likey

Bob H. · Post by **Bob H.** » Jul 4th, '09, 10:19

Thanks for all the responses...I have really fond memories of both old trucks and boats... both the truck and my boat will stay in my family..I had alot of help from some very good friends...I do drive it to haul only mulch...but mostly to truck shows around New England she does 55 mph on the highway...and it will pull down a house if need be..Gif the truck was at my shop @ work...too dusty in the barn for now...I hope my 31 turns out as sweet...Harry I will post an engine shot when I get back to work next week...BH

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Jul 4th, '09, 14:56

There is something special about an old truck that is mint condition..

Knowing that the old guys who designed and built her knew what they were doing, and built something strong thyat outlived them.

About 10 years ago I did some work in an old hydroelectric statiion in a valley in the New Hampshire mountains.. The slow speed generators were whirring along.. the nameplate on them indicated they were built in 1915-1916. They were still going strong in 1997. My escort told me that about every 15 or 20 years they are shut down so the babbit bearings could be replaced, otherwise they ran 24/7 for years. On the base plate surrounded by pinstriping were the initials of the men who assembled them.. It made me pause for a few moments and reflect on things I have designed and seen built.. would they last anywhere near as long?

Then I realized most likely the men who built the hydro units were all long gone. But their legacy lives on in the things they built. What more can a man ask for after he is gone? Something of value you left behind, and maybe a couple of grandkids to carry on your standards?

bertram31.com

Not A Bertram...But a Classic B

Not A Bertram...But a Classic B

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