For Sale: 1915 Mack Custom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1915 Mack AC 3/4 Scale Wrecker

The Mack AC was a heavy cargo truck designed in the 1910s by the American manufacturer Mack Trucks. The Mack AC saw extensive service during the First World War with the British and American armed forces, in British service it was given the nickname the "Bulldog" which led to Mack adopting the Bulldog as its corporate symbol. The AC was a two-wheel drive, two-axle truck which was made in three sizes, with payloads of 31/2 long tons, 5 1/2 long, and 7 1/2 long tons. The AC's pressed chrome-nickel steel chassis was heat-treated for durability. Chain drive was used to drive the rear wheels while the front axle was made of drop-forged alloy steel for extra strength. Like most heavy trucks of the era, the AC used solid tires initially, although towards the end of its production run many were delivered with pneumatic tires. The AC had an all-steel cab with an optional metal roof. One innovation introduced in the AC was the positioning of the steering wheel at a 45-degree angle which greatly improved driver comfort.

The consignor, a former finish carpenter now retired, had spent countless hours in his basement workshop fabricating this replica for all to enjoy. A 3/4 scale version of the mighty AC and this one is powered by a modern Kohler 2-cylinder engine. Quite the timepiece that could be picked up and utilized as a marketing tool for a towing and repair shop, a themed restaurant, or just to enjoy and show in your one man parade down main street.

Please Note: This car is sold on a Bill Of Sale only***

Exterior
Fabricated mostly of wood for the exterior panels, bead board, and painted wood panels make up the body. They present in Mack Green and yellow and have the signature snub nose shaped hood along with faux venting for the hood and rear mounted radiator. Artistically curved fenders in wood lead back to short running boards with wood storage boxes just behind the cab entrance. Black hardware is used for most attachments and brass barrelstyle headlamps flank the cowl. A traditionalC-cab covers the passengers and is decorated with brass handles along with gold pinstriping throughout the body. Handmade spoked wheels with a hard rubber exterior rim are seen on all 4 corners and are just beautifully crafted. A heavily lacquered walnut and oak bed gives the backbone for the tow boom and a walnut wood wheel allows you to hoist the boom and its chain, (i'm getting winded just thinking about having to manually lift a non running car this way).

Interior
We can use the word interior loosely, as it truly is a mostly open carriage much like a stagecoach but with a wooden roof and rear cab, and just a single high perched leather seat. This seat stretches from cab side to cab side and presents in a lovely sunken tuft and button pattern. This fronts a custom fabricated steering wheel made from brass and a smoothed over walnut exterior wheel ring all atop the polished brass steering column. Twin black metal pedals grow from the texture rubber coated flooring as does a brass knobbed long metal shaft shifter moves the transmission from drive to reverse and neutral.

Drivetrain
725cc's of Kohler modern day power in the form of Courage engine are beneath the hood. A 1-barrel carburetor and a top mounted brass gas tank feed the dual cylinders. 1 speed of manually shifted power plus reverse can be selected for the chain driven drivetrain.

Undercarriage
Solid black C-channel framing provides the backbone for the black painted wood flooring and bed underside and is sprinkled with various pulleys for the chain drive system. Traditional leaf springs are seen both front and rear, but we note the absence of brakes on either of the axles. Keep it simple is the mantra, and certainly no rust involvement as it has low miles on her.

Drive-Ability
While certainly not astatic display for this replica, one must take great caution when driving this 3/4 scale wrecker. With the absence of brakes and no clutch, (just rev her up and put her in gear), it takes an amount of fine motor skills that this writer does not possess. However, in lieu of a test drive I was able to easily start the Kohler and can say it runs flawlessly.

Painstakingly crafted, utilizing many different woodworking tools, some metal fabrications and exacting standards only scaled down to 3/4 size, and we have a beautiful replica in working condition. A one of a kind as I know of no other vehicles as such in existence. A hen's tooth if you will.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.