The First Mack AC Bulldog: Restoration Gallery

1st August 2017

Bill Richardson Transport World is home to the mother of all Macks, the Mack AC ‘Bulldog’ truck.

It was the truck that inspired Mack’s famous Bulldog logo. This beast of a truck was first introduced to the general public at the Boston Truck Show in March 1916. It was an instant hit. People liked how this Mack truck's radiator was protected by sitting behind the engine. They were also impressed by the front chassis cross-member, which was actually a disguised bumper, bolted in place for quick access to the lower front of the engine. That reliability and easy access served soldiers in the First World War well.   

The inspiration behind the Bulldog name, a Mack AC Bulldog truck

The First Bull Dog

It was actually the British military who named the American Mack AC truck Bulldog. A trade magazine reported: ‘In appearance these Macks, with their pugnacious front and resolute lines, suggest the tenacious quality of the British Bull Dog. In fact these trucks have been dubbed “Bull Dog Macks” by the British engineers in charge’. The idea was quickly adapted by Mack itself and the rest is history!

 

1918 Mack AC

Bill Richardson Transport World’s Bulldog was ordered several months after the British named the Bulldog. In November 1917 a large government contract was signed which called for a minimum purchase of 900 Bull Dog trucks for the US Army Corps of Engineers. Bill Richardson Transport World’s was most likely one of these. Many went to France, where they were used for every haulage task imaginable. After the First World War the Mack AC was returned to one of the Mack Truck factories and converted to a fire engine for the Baltimore Maryland Fire Department.     

However, we can guess that it didn't put out very many fires. This is because when the Transport World workshop stripped this truck for restoration, it showed very little wear in the mechanical parts. It obviously hadn’t done very much work during the time it was in service. After a life under the US Military as a fire truck, it should have been completely worn out!   

Bill Richardson Transport World found the Mack AC in a Mack enthusiast’s garage in Calgary, Canada. Bill Richardson Transport World brought it over to complement our extensive Mack collection – Bill was a great fan of Macks. The Mack AC’s restoration was completed between 2006 and February 2008.

See the restoration gallery below!

Specifications

Engine Make: Mack       

Power: 40 HP    

Capacity: 471 cu in          

Transmission: 3 speed gearbox 

Drive: Chain to the rear wheels

Restoration Journey

Mack AC Bulldog manual Bill Richardson Transport World Invercargill classic trucks Mack trucks

The copy of the Service Manual our workshop used during the restoration.

 

1918 Mack AC Bulldog truck Bill Richardson Transport World Invercargill restoration classic trucks vintage trucks truck museum

In pretty rough condition after a long journey over the Pacific. This was in 2006.

 

1918 Mack AC Bulldog truck Bill Richardson Transport World Invercargill restoration classic trucks vintage trucks truck museum 2

A closer look at what the workshop had to deal with.

 

1918 Mack AC Bulldog truck Bill Richardson Transport World Invercargill restoration classic trucks vintage trucks truck museum 4

The rear chain-drive that served the Mack so well – just a bit of rust!

 

1918 Mack AC Bulldog truck Bill Richardson Transport World Invercargill restoration classic trucks vintage trucks truck museum bumper

Some of it was in bits: here is the front mudguard.

 

1918 Mack AC Bulldog truck Bill Richardson Transport World Invercargill restoration classic trucks vintage trucks truck museum engine

 

1918 Mack AC Bulldog truck Bill Richardson Transport World Invercargill restoration classic trucks vintage trucks truck museum engine 3

 

1918 Mack AC Bulldog truck Bill Richardson Transport World Invercargill restoration classic trucks vintage trucks truck museum engine 2

 

1918 Mack AC Bulldog truck Bill Richardson Transport World Invercargill restoration classic trucks vintage trucks truck museum deck

The engine didn’t actually look too bad, apart from all that rust!

 

1918 Mack AC Bulldog truck Bill Richardson Transport World Invercargill restoration classic trucks vintage trucks truck museum shed

Engine painted and the body beginning to take shape, the end is near…

 

To find out what our Restored 1918 Mack AC Bulldog truck looks like now, click here.