This month Rod Simmonds is on the trail of an iconic FR Mack that is currently being restored in the Waikato by John Harper and Kevin Healy
Following on from last month’s feature on the Mack R-Series, it would be only right to continue the theme and focus on the equally Iconic Mack FR cabover.
From pretty basic features to luxury fully trimmed cabs, the FR evolved into a reliable and tough workhorse throughout the 1970s and 1980s, back in Mack’s New Zealand-based Motor Truck Distributors (MTD) heyday.
The small engines (by today’s standards) were well known for their impressive torque and power, but then along came the V8s. The distinct bulldog sound akin to a big thumper would come flying up the Bombay Hills on the outskirts of Auckland, when every other truck was in low, low gear and barely moving. It was a sight to behold.
Mack man through and through
The Mack cabs were steel and not many have survived the last 40-odd years, however, one very well-kept example is being restored by another iconic identity and Mack tragic, Waikato’s John Harper.
John is a Mack man through and through and if there was going to be a hobby truck, it had to be one his family had history with, and that was a 1982 FR712RST 6X4 model, registration KO1802, from Pearse’s Transport, Huntly.
John’s restoration partner is Kevin Healy [occasionally seen in our Dodge restoration articles – Ed], who also worked at Pearse’s for a short time and at Gills, Huntly in the parts department. John’s family owned Pearse’s prior to long-time owner Bruce Whittaker and it was Bruce who wanted to have the flagship Mack.
John liked sitting behind the rear end of the bulldog in his past with some legendary companies and trucks, like Perry Aggregates, Tauwhare Contractors, Sinton Sawmills, and his own CH models. He is now relief driving a Mack for TGL Fluidex on tankers.
His own tipping trucks were also Macks, but now a three-diamond Fuso has his name on the door on local work as required. I guess you could say it is the Japanese-Mack equivalent and a testament to the Gills service.
New for Pearse’s
The Mack FR 712RST was brought new for Pearse’s, joining the many early Mitsubishis which in turn had replaced the earlier Commers. Gills Huntly was renowned for repowers that boosted the Commers and Mitsis, but the Mack was the flagship at that time.
On stock and wool, it worked hard all around the North Island. The 11-litre Thermodyne was a modest 239kw/320 Mack horses, with a 10-speed Maxitorque transmission. The cab was one of the later custom-fitted ones at the time, with plush headlining and full leather seats, door and dash trim and the huge steering wheel. The legendary bird scare air start was a local talking point.
Despite everyone trying to get the best out of the engine, it continued to drink a lot of oil and eventually, the truck was swapped for a new Mack Ultraliner and rebuilt by MTD. However, it still runs well now 40+ years later.
Numerous owners
It then ventured down to the Deep South with A. S. Clulee of Waikouaiti, who put it on the same sort of work – rural livestock and wool etc. – for many years. The truck then spent a brief spell in Transpac colours as fleet number 382, before being moved onto to L.T. & C. Govs Transport & Contracting on contracting work, before being retired to farming duties in rural Waikato, where John snapped it up.
Luckily, it had spent most of its time on the farm parked in a shed, so it was well looked after with minimal rust. A crate has been sourced locally, again rescued from retirement farm duty and the combination once finished, will look just like it did when brand new.
John and Kevin are slowly getting through the long list of parts and jobs, some they can still source from MTD –Truck Stops, and some have had to be imported or made locally. The New Zealand-wide classic truck fraternity have been a great source of information and knowledge.
We will report back in regularly on progress, which may be in a year or two, but it will be worth the wait. Originality, and keeping true to the Pearse model is the restorer’s goal and I am sure it will be a testament to the unique Mack brotherhood that still exists today.
Images by Rod Simmonds