Arguably one of the most famous over-the-road trucks to ever travel our nation’s highways, the fully restored truck is now the centerpiece of a traveling exhibit featuring Knievel memorabilia, including his motorcycles, leathers, helmets, medical X-rays, casts and other items. Mack provided two Mack Pinnacle models to help transport the exhibit across the country as part of a recently announced partnership between Mack Trucks, Evel Knievel Enterprises and Topeka, Kansas-based Historic Harley-Davison.
“When Evel Knievel needed a tough, durable truck to get him and his equipment to his jumps, he chose a Mack,” said John Walsh, Mack vice president of marketing. “Today’s Mack models carry on that tradition of dependability, which is why we couldn’t be more proud to once again have Mack trucks bringing the legend of Evel Knievel to fans across the country.”
The Mack Pinnacle model brings the same “get it done” attitude and toughness as its predecessors and features several innovative components designed to improve fuel efficiency, boost productivity and enhance driver comfort.
All Pinnacle models come equipped with the Mack mDRIVE™ automated manual transmission as standard. Designed to work seamlessly with Mack MP® series engines, mDRIVE can boost fuel efficiency by up to 1.5 percent when compared to a standard transmission. The Pinnacle model is also available with the innovative Mack Twin Y™ Air Suspension. Featuring two y-shaped high-strength steel blades, Twin Y delivers a smoother, more stable ride, while also being up to 400 pounds lighter than other air suspensions.
Mack® Pinnacle™ Model Delivers ‘Big Red’ to the Great American Trucking Show
Pinnacle models also come standard with Mack’s GuardDog® Connect telematics solution that monitors fault codes that could potentially shut down a truck or lead to an unplanned visit to the dealer, enabling a quick diagnosis of issues, proactive scheduling for repairs and confirmation that needed parts are in stock and ready to install, all while the truck is still on the job. Through Mack ASIST and the Mack OneCall™ customer support network, GuardDog Connect also offers proactive communication of critical information to maximize customer uptime.
Big Red began as a standard Mack FS model cabover truck. Featuring an innovative front suspension design, a high torque rise Maxidyne® diesel engine and legendary Mack durability, the Mack FS model staked its claim as one of the best on-highway tractors of the day. Knievel customized his FS model with several unique features, including a custom-built dressing room and a cab finished in his signature red, white and blue theme.
Mack® Pinnacle™ Model Delivers ‘Big Red’ to the Great American Trucking Show
CAPTION: A Mack® Pinnacle™ 70-inch high-rise sleeper model (top left) delivered Evel Knievel’s 1974 Mack FS786LST model show truck (top right) to the Great American Trucking Show (GATS) in Dallas, Texas. Known affectionately as “Big Red,” the truck is the centerpiece of a traveling exhibit of Knievel memorabilia and will be on display at GATS from Aug. 27-29 in Mack booth no. 12093. The truck has been restored to as close to original condition as possible, including the red, white and blue cab (bottom left) and Knievel’s personal dressing room (bottom right).
Dedicated to quality, reliability and total customer satisfaction, Mack Trucks, Inc., has provided its customers with innovative transportation solutions for more than a century. Today, Mack is one of North America’s largest producers of heavy-duty trucks, and Mack® trucks are sold and serviced through an extensive distribution network in more than 45 countries. Mack trucks and diesel engines sold in North America are assembled in the United States. Mack manufacturing locations are certified to the internationally recognized ISO 9001 standard for quality and ISO 14001 standard for environmental management systems. Mack is also a proud sponsor of Share the Road, an American Trucking Associations' public information campaign aimed at enhancing the safety of our nation’s roadways.
Mack Trucks, Inc. is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. The Volvo Group, which employs about 100,000 people, has production facilities in 19 countries and sells its products in more than 190 markets. In 2014, the Volvo Group’s sales amounted to about $38.2 billion. The Volvo Group is a publicly-held company headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and are traded OTC in the U.S.
For more information about Mack, visit our website at www.macktrucks.com
