NOVEMBER 2009 OLD TIME TRUCKS
RON’S “BOULDER DAM” MACK
By Old Truck Nuts John & Shirley Sponholtz
This huge 1932 Mack AP off-highway hauler is one of twelve that were built for the construction of Boulder Dam in Nevada during the early 1930s. After its service at Boulder Dam, which was completed in 1936, it was used by a contractor for the construction of Interstate 10 in California. After that, Robert Johnson bought it from this contractor and used the Mack in his National Quarry operation in Perris, California, before donating it to the Motor Transport Museum in Campo, California. Eventually, Ron Carey of Calgary, Alberta, bought the truck from the museum and restored it. The entire project took about 2,000 man-hours and over a year to complete. Originally, the Mack had a 6-cylinder gasoline engine, a radiator mounted between the engine and the cab, and a massive trans-axle and chain drive. Over the years, the truck had been greatly modified - the gas engine had been replaced with a Cummins diesel, the rear-mounted radiator was replaced with a front-mounted unit, and various cabs, salvaged from other trucks, had been welded to the body to provide a windshield and side protection for the driver. The restoration was a huge job, and Ron is understandably proud. It just goes to show what someone who has the desire, time, patience, and resources can do. The Motor Transport Museum has one more “Boulder Dam” truck up at the yard awaiting restoration. Does anyone out there have the desire, the time, the patience and/or the resources?