The Heritage Truck Association of Australia’s 2025 Heritage Truck Show is shaping up to be a cracker, with a raft of rare vintage and classic trucks set to be on display, including a fully restored 1939 Chevy, an iconic 1961 B61 Mack known as the ‘Mean Machine’, a beautifully restored 1988 Mack Superliner named after cattle king Sir Sidney Kidman, and an ultra-rare 1962 Mack H673 ST.
Set to take centre stage, the 1962 Mack H673 ST – better known as ‘Cherry Pickers’ due to their distinctive 2.7m cab height – is one of only two such models imported into Australia in 1962 for Anthill Ranger & Co, later Mayne Nickless.
Both left-hand drives, they were the first cab-over-engine Macks in Australia; and the first in Australia powered by a turbo-charged Mack Thermodyne diesel engine, the ENDT-673. A forerunner to the Ultra-Liner, the two trucks mainly ran between Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney and clocked up an average of 4,000 miles a week.
This 1962 Mack H673 ST is one of only two such models imported into Australia in 1962 for Anthill Ranger & Co, later Mayne Nickless
In 1966, chassis no.1570 was sold and after changing hands several times was finally scrapped and used for parts. Chassis no.1574, however, is still alive today. In 1966, with 700,000 miles on the clock, it was purchased by Frank Fleming & Sons in Brisbane and converted to right-hand drive for use hauling earthmoving and allied equipment. It was retired in the mid-1980s and underwent a much-deserved restoration.
The truck was eventually put on display at the Queensland Transport Museum in Gatton before being purchased in 2015 by Rodney and Janette Sims, who are now the owners of this one-of-a kind showpiece!
Also on display will be an iconic 1961 B61 Mack known as ‘Mean Machine’ that was first raced at the Surfers Paradise Raceway in the mid 1970’s by owner Bill Gordon. At the time the truck was a road-going interstate highway runner but became a designated drag vehicle and was raced by Bill throughout the late 1970’s and 1980’s.
This iconic 1961 B61 Mack known as the ‘Mean Machine’ has undergone a meticulous, two-year, strip-down-to-chassis-rails restoration
The classic Bulldog was sold to Bernie Tobin in 2020 on the condition that it was restored to its former glory. So started the meticulous, two-year, strip-down-to-chassis-rails restoration of this iconic piece of Australian motorsports history.
The truck is powered by a 8V71 supercharged Detroit, producing over 600 horsepower, with a nitrous oxide kit boosting this by another 350hp, and running through a 13-speed Roadranger overdrive gearbox.
Among the oldest trucks set to be on display is a fully restored 1939 Chevy which is a beautiful example of yesteryear’s work horses. The truck served on the Brisbane City Council for 20 years from 1939 before being retired.
This a fully restored 1939 Chevy restored by Brisbane City Council workshop staff is a beautiful example of yesteryear’s work horses
After being moved on to Baker Brothers at Moonie, the 1.5-tonne truck BCC 87 was thought lost until being rediscovered and returned to the Brisbane City Council where it was restored by workshop staff.
Also on show will be an incredibly rare 1982 Leader owned by Peter Zinn. The ex-Brambles heavy hauler has been under restoration for a number of years and will be on display for the first time at May 17-18’s showcase, to be held alongside the Brisbane Truck Show as part of Truck Week 25.
This classic prime mover runs a 3406 Caterpillar engine through a five-speed Mack gearbox with a four-speed Joey box, 200-ton Berliet hub reduction diffs and a nine-ton front axle.
This incredibly rare 1982 Leader heavy haulage truck will be on display for the first time at May 17-18’s showcase
Built in 1982, the truck is one of four of these special trucks ordered by Brambles for heavy float work. Only three were delivered, with the order for the fourth cancelled before it was manufactured.
Leader was a truck manufacturer based in Toowoomba founded by Cyril Anderson and Western Transport Group. It produced nearly 2,000 trucks (a wide variety from four-ton to 250-ton) between 1972 and 1984.
For Kenworth fans, a beautifully restored 1988 Mack Superliner – named after cattle king Sir Sidney Kidman – will be on show. Originally owned by Fraser’s Livestock Transport, the truck is owned by Dennis Kelly who chose the name after reading the story of Kidman whilst the truck was being restored.
This beautifully restored 1988 Mack Superliner runs a E9 Mack V8 engine driving through a 12-speed overdrive Mack box
The truck runs a E9 Mack V8 engine rated at 500 horsepower, driving through a 12-speed overdrive Mack box, and 44,000-pound Mack diffs.
Following on from the 2023 show’s popular display marking 60 years of Mack Trucks in Australia, the 2025 event will feature special exhibitions celebrating 125 years of the Bulldog brand worldwide and 90 years of Volvo Group Australia stablemate UD Trucks.
To be held 8:30am-4:00pm on Saturday, May 17 and 8:30am-2:30pm Sunday, May 18, the Heritage Truck Show will also include heritage tractors and cars, trade stalls, and food and beverages. Entry is $10 for adults with children under 14 free.
If you’re keen to check out these epic trucks in the flesh, you can grab a free shuttle bus from the Brisbane Truck Show out to the nearby Rocklea Showgrounds on Saturday! See here for more details.