Post by Southern on Mar 11, 2015 20:34:59 GMT -5
I just got my Brockway 761 truck in the mail today. Before I get to the truck on the Review. I think we need to look into the history of the Legendary Brockway.
Legend Born:
William Brockway started a company back in 1875 building carriages. His son George took over the business in 1889. George saw that motor power would be the future. So he started to look into it. By 1910 Brockway built its first motor power truck. Brockway started using the Hotchkiss shaft to drive the trucks. Where Mack at this time was using Chains. Chains at the time was much stronger. As it wasn't until the 1940s when Mack dropped the chain drive as shaft drive became more reliable. Their sells in trucks grew and had many buyers. However they still had a small market share.
Truck Business:
In 1928 Brockway merged with Indiana Trucks. There they added their line up and their dealers. As time went on those trucks became more Brockway and Indiana was no more. In 1929 Brockway was trying to merge with Autocar, however the depression ended that deal. During the depression Brockway sells dropped. So they sold their old Indiana truck plant to White. And the Indiana truck models to White. From there White used those trucks until they started to build their own. They managed to ride through the Depression.
World War II:
During World War II the government contracted them to build trucks for the troops. They built a 6X6 2 1/2 ton truck called the C-666. During this time they devoted 100% of their plant to the war effort.
After World War II:
With the war over. They went back into civilian market. In 1945 they built the 206 series. Which was very popular with over 4,000 units. During the 1950s they was still using gas engines. Now they are using Fuller transmissions and Timken axles. During this time Brockway still had only .2% of the truck market.
Buyout:
In 1955, H&B Machine Company got Brockway. There they would lease it for 5 years with option to buy. During this time the trucks added the Continental Diesel engine to the trucks. The the workers joined the United Auto Workers Union. After H&B decided not to buy Brockway. White and Continental both was trying to buy them. However in 1956, Mack ended up buying them. From there on Mack and Brockway was under one roof.
Mack Ownership:
Mack wanted Brockway to be their "own" brand still under their own. So a big campaign started in 1957 to get Brockway noticed. The Husky sled dog was added to Brockway. Mack got a diesel offered full time with GM/Detroit or Cummins. In 1962 Brockway turned 50 years old. So a series of "Golden Huskies" was offered. In 1963 Brockway added a COE truck to the line up. In 1970, the Caterpillar Diesel was now offered on the Huskies.
The Fall:
In 1976 the Union started talks over a new labor president and contract. This went on into 1977. Mack made several pleas for them not to strike. And even work until a deal was made. Then they would be paid any retroactive wages owed to the employees. That failed and they shut the doors. However since an order was still in effect. Mack sent the parts to a place in Miami Florida to assemble them. To complete the order. On June 8, 1977 the last Brockway rolled out the doors. Ending a long history of truck.
The Toy:
Topself Replicas has made a 64th Brockway 761. This truck is the last series of truck made by Brockway. Also the largest series offered being the 700 series. The truck is resin so I would be cautious with the truck. It is very nicely detailed. Paint and markings are very sharp and looking good. The truck came with an extra set of mirrors if they broke off. To me this is one of the best looking trucks in my collection. I'm glad to own a piece of this trucking history. And being a Mack fan, a piece of their history as well. If you love older trucks and want a piece of a rare brand. I would recommend this sweet rig.
Box:
Brockway 761:
Note: Since my collection is in the barn. This truck will not be out there. It will stay in the house. And once I get the Pembroke Plantation going again. You will see this rig working the farm.
Legend Born:
William Brockway started a company back in 1875 building carriages. His son George took over the business in 1889. George saw that motor power would be the future. So he started to look into it. By 1910 Brockway built its first motor power truck. Brockway started using the Hotchkiss shaft to drive the trucks. Where Mack at this time was using Chains. Chains at the time was much stronger. As it wasn't until the 1940s when Mack dropped the chain drive as shaft drive became more reliable. Their sells in trucks grew and had many buyers. However they still had a small market share.
Truck Business:
In 1928 Brockway merged with Indiana Trucks. There they added their line up and their dealers. As time went on those trucks became more Brockway and Indiana was no more. In 1929 Brockway was trying to merge with Autocar, however the depression ended that deal. During the depression Brockway sells dropped. So they sold their old Indiana truck plant to White. And the Indiana truck models to White. From there White used those trucks until they started to build their own. They managed to ride through the Depression.
World War II:
During World War II the government contracted them to build trucks for the troops. They built a 6X6 2 1/2 ton truck called the C-666. During this time they devoted 100% of their plant to the war effort.
After World War II:
With the war over. They went back into civilian market. In 1945 they built the 206 series. Which was very popular with over 4,000 units. During the 1950s they was still using gas engines. Now they are using Fuller transmissions and Timken axles. During this time Brockway still had only .2% of the truck market.
Buyout:
In 1955, H&B Machine Company got Brockway. There they would lease it for 5 years with option to buy. During this time the trucks added the Continental Diesel engine to the trucks. The the workers joined the United Auto Workers Union. After H&B decided not to buy Brockway. White and Continental both was trying to buy them. However in 1956, Mack ended up buying them. From there on Mack and Brockway was under one roof.
Mack Ownership:
Mack wanted Brockway to be their "own" brand still under their own. So a big campaign started in 1957 to get Brockway noticed. The Husky sled dog was added to Brockway. Mack got a diesel offered full time with GM/Detroit or Cummins. In 1962 Brockway turned 50 years old. So a series of "Golden Huskies" was offered. In 1963 Brockway added a COE truck to the line up. In 1970, the Caterpillar Diesel was now offered on the Huskies.
The Fall:
In 1976 the Union started talks over a new labor president and contract. This went on into 1977. Mack made several pleas for them not to strike. And even work until a deal was made. Then they would be paid any retroactive wages owed to the employees. That failed and they shut the doors. However since an order was still in effect. Mack sent the parts to a place in Miami Florida to assemble them. To complete the order. On June 8, 1977 the last Brockway rolled out the doors. Ending a long history of truck.
The Toy:
Topself Replicas has made a 64th Brockway 761. This truck is the last series of truck made by Brockway. Also the largest series offered being the 700 series. The truck is resin so I would be cautious with the truck. It is very nicely detailed. Paint and markings are very sharp and looking good. The truck came with an extra set of mirrors if they broke off. To me this is one of the best looking trucks in my collection. I'm glad to own a piece of this trucking history. And being a Mack fan, a piece of their history as well. If you love older trucks and want a piece of a rare brand. I would recommend this sweet rig.
Box:
Brockway 761:
Note: Since my collection is in the barn. This truck will not be out there. It will stay in the house. And once I get the Pembroke Plantation going again. You will see this rig working the farm.