The truck

With one of the trucking industry’s boldest and most recognizable grilles, Mack created something special when it introduced the Mk1 Super-Liner in 1977.

The Mk2 in 1985 did nothing to detract from the first model’s majesty, and both iterations are today among the most sought after trucks for any classic truck collector. Their value is continually increasing, with prime examples regularly fetching eye-watering prices.

Interestingly, New Zealand has the distinction of being the last market in the world to sell the Mk1 and 2 Super- Liners.

The models served in many roles; logging, heavy haulage, general freight, and linehaul. They all saw the dog a top that big, square, instantly recognizable bonnet.

For those looking for horsepower and an image to boot, the Super-Liner was hugely popular and hard to beat.

Forty years is a long time in road transport, and finding a Mk1 or 2 in regular service nowadays is getting harder for sure. Thankfully, New Zealand still has many examples in the hands of collectors and classic truck buffs.

Christchurch-based Chris and Tracey Hancox are the proud owners of ‘Chasing Great’, a Mk2 that stands out for several reasons, the most noticeable one being its

sleeper box. While a common spec over the ditch in Australia, New Zealand boasted only Super-Liners
with ‘accommodation’. More interestingly, the HTS machine was the only example officially assembled in New Zealand for New Zealand, at the Motor Truck Distributors production line in Palmerston North.

A 1988 model, original owners A. F. Porter Ltd from Hamilton spec’d the truck for heavy-haulage duties. A partial cab rear section was especially imported, along with the sleeper box and grafted onto a standard cab to allow full a walk-in bunk access.

Mack’s legendary E9 V8 rated at 500hp (373kW) was mated to a Mack 12-speed transmission, putting the power to the ground via a 105-tonne rated heavy-duty rear end.

It would have been considered a state of the art heavy-haul spec in the day, and while time has moved on, and horsepower has reached much loftier heights, even today, the Super-Liner’s credentials are more than respectable. Class never really goes out of style.

The proud owners Chris and Tracey formed Hiab & Transport Solutions (HTS) in 2017.

At the time, they already owned an FM Volvo, purchased in 2013 as a sideline to Chris’ day job. The Volvo was the first truck to sport the charcoal and white colours, and all that was required was a name change from the original CTH (Chris and Tracey Hancox) to HTS to better reflect the work the company now undertook The Volvo is still in the fleet today and has plenty of company in three UD Nissans, one DAF, and four other FM Volvos.

Chris says they are ideal for the work they do, which covers Hiab/flatdeck and curtainsider work, transporting building and construction materials to site.

It is work that can see them covering most of the South Island, with regular visits to the North as well. The Volvo relationship is no accident either, dating back to Chris’ time as an owner-driver with Goodman Fielder, where he had good experiences with the brand.

The Super-Liner is not the only classic in the couple’s ownership either. A 1988 R-model Mack cohabitates with its bigger sibling – the R-model referred to as Tracey’s truck.

Both Macks are what could be termed ‘useable classics’, and while not intended for everyday use, they can be rallied to the front lines if and when needed, towing flat- deck semis or curtainside B-train units.

“But only in the right hands,” Chris says with a wry smile. That desire to have not only a classic truck but a practical classic truck, meant lengthening the Super-Liner’s chassis at the tail end of its restoration.

With a minimal rear-sleeper wall to fifth- wheel clearance in its original set-up, Chris figured the tolerances were pushing the limit just too far.

A bonus tothe extra length was better proportions and stance.

The restoration

Chris purchased the Super-Liner in September 2012. He’d been on the lookout for something similar, and as luck would have it, Auckland-based Ward Demolition had been carrying out earthquake clean-up work around the Christchurch area. One of the units involved was the Mack.

The opportunity arose to purchase it, although for several years after the deal was done, the truck sat largely untouched, with only the occasional bits and pieces being worked on as time allowed.

“Restoration proper didn’t start until 2015,” says Chris, at which point the cab, sleeper, and bonnet were removed from the chassis.

Generally speaking, these were in good condition, and Wilcock Truck Painters in Christchurch took care of their prep and full respray.

Meanwhile, Chris put his efforts into the chassis, doing the required engineering, sandblasting, and painting of these components himself.

A complete rewire and airline system upgrade was also carried out. Todd Young, a mechanic at Road Metals, assisted Chris with other general mechanical work.

“The V8 wasn’t in bad shape,” says Chris. “But as a preventative measure, we fitted a new rocker shaft and turbo.”

Elsewhere, brakes drums, bearings, and the clutch where all replaced and bought up to spec. A complete new interior was also fitted.

As a testament to Chris’ skills, the majority of the restoration work was completed by him, or with the assistance of key people at key times. ‘Chasing Great’ is no chequebook restoration.

Everyone who knows Chris would agree he’s a grafter, and he’s the first to say that without skills and dedication, owning such a truck and getting it to this point would not have been an option.

The adage, ‘you get out of life what you put into it’, is never more relevant than with this project.

It’s a philosophy that puts Chris in his yard undertaking maintenance of the fleet during the weekends. In a relatively short time, the Hancoxs’ have built an incredibly sharp fleet, a reflection of their passion for the industry.

In May 2017, mostly complete, the Super-Liner was fired up for the first time and road tested. It lived once again!

The final push came in February 2020, with the TMC Trucking Industry Show in Christchurch the goal for the unveiling.

The last big job left was striping and signwriting, and for that, the Mack was delivered to Timaru Signs, where I work as a truck signwriter. I had the privilege of undertaking that final job.

Unfortunately, then came the small issue of the Covid-19 virus, consigning the show, the unveiling, and normality as we know it to the history pages.

While 2020 will go down as the year to forget in many ways, ‘Chasing Great’ was nevertheless complete. Time for Chris to relax? Yeah, not likely!