Quiz Archive

About Quiz # 185 : Mack type AB 1918 (UPDATE by Mack Museum)

Not too many competitors felt certain enough to send in for last week's exotic US truck. Yet Mack is one of the greatest still existing truck manufacturers of the US, so we expected more knowledge of the older products being out there. Maybe summer weather and BBQ kept most of you away from the PC. In the end we had one jury member (Mark Dawber) and two competitors who had the make right. Mike Turner and Don Risen. Don was quite close with Mack AB of around 1920. Also close but slightly more confident and precise was Mike Turner: "I think it is a 1916 Mack 1 ton truck. Further I think this is the Model AB. Mack produced the first standardized high-volume model series, introduced in 1914. The first AB's had chain drive or worm drive rear axles. In 1920 Mack introduced power brakes, but I think this is an earlier version. Looks like this is equipped with dual rear wheels, thus making it a “6 Wheeler”. I note they are solid rubber tires all around. Probably a very rough ride!" Congratulations Mike, you've just entered The Jury!
(Special thanks to Tom Chaney for helping us with photos and precious time. Also to Don Schumaker, conservator at the Mack Historical Museum; an extra update is expected within days; check the historical importance of this truck under 'Read More')
UPDATE by Don Schumaker, Mack Museum CO-Curator:" According to the Chassis Record, the Mack AB 310437 chassis was shipped from the factory on January 17, 1918. This record indicates the chassis was “Sold to: Mt. Wilson Solar Observatory, Pasadena, Cal.” It was shipped from Allentown to International Mack Corp. of Los Angeles, CA. This name “International Mack” had nothing to do with International Harvester. The dates on the Chassis Register page are somewhat different and probably in error. The quoted date above is the one to go by. This chassis was a 1 ½ ton capacity version of the Model AB; the AB‘s maximum capacity was 2 ½ tons. The first digit of the chassis number, 3, indicates the capacity in thousands of pounds." More about this truck (chassis # AB 310437) which is in the Travel Town Museum in Los Angeles: "This Mack has special historical significance for Southern California. It was used during delivery and installation of the telescopic equipment at the Solar Observatory which stands atop Pasadena's Mt. Wilson. Our 1918 Mack truck was used to haul the parts of the telescope up Mt. Wilson over a road of dirt and gravel. The trucks, often wider than the road (!) had to make their way up a 12 percent average grade carrying the parts of the 4,5 ton telescope. The 100-inch reflecting telescope was in operation by late 1918."

Friday, 14 July 2006