Mack and Brockway (Auto Review Album Number 220)

Author: Rod Ward

Mack and Brockway (Auto Review Album Number 220) is an essential read for truck enthusiasts, written by renowned automotive author Rod Ward. This detailed history explores two legendary American truck manufacturers, tracing their evolution, iconic models, and lasting industry impact.

The History of Mack Trucks

Founded by the Mack brothers in New York at the turn of the 20th century, Mack Trucks originally entered the market under the "Manhattan" name before cementing its place in history as Mack. Renowned for their unmatched durability, these commercial vehicles inspired the famous American idiom "Built like a Mack truck." During the Great War, British soldiers famously dubbed the rugged Mack AC the "Bulldog," a fierce nickname that the company officially adopted in 1922 with its iconic bulldog hood ornament. This book highlights Mack’s legendary advertising campaigns and enduring slogans across the decades, from the 1930s classic "Tuned to the Modern tempo" to the 1940s standard "Performance counts."

Iconic, Long-Lasting Models

Unlike traditional US automotive companies that relied on annual model changes, Mack prioritized longevity and timeless engineering. This album covers the incredible production runs of Mack’s most famous heavy-duty trucks:

• Mack AC "Bulldog": Produced for 23 years, remaining in production until 1939.

• Model F: A staple of the highway that lasted for nearly 20 years.

• B Series: The legendary workhorse manufactured for 13 years.

• Model R: An industry benchmark produced for nearly three decades.

The Brockway Acquisition and Corporate Evolution

In 1956, Mack expanded by acquiring Brockway, another historic American truck manufacturer. While Mack revolutionized the industry with modern production line techniques, Brockway maintained a reputation for building premium, custom trucks.

This comprehensive guide details the operational synergy between the two brands up until Brockway closed in the 1970s. It also chronicles Mack's later corporate transitions, including the 1990 takeover by RVI (Renault) and the subsequent 2001 acquisition by the Volvo Group.