Round2 to release Mack B-61 semi kit.

[Bennyg]

On 10/20/2025 at 11:27 AM, TECHMAN said:

Maybe they could do a cab like the AMT Freightliner Cab-over kit, that could separate behind the doors, and have one rear section to complete the day cab, the other to complete the cab as the "integrated-sleeper" version???????????

TIM

Any idea as to the engine????  The old Thermodyne hopefully......   Regardless, Will have three or four ordered as soon as they are available to be ordered.

👍👍 to Round 2

DJ

This AMT future release means a lot to me as I own a 1:1 Mack B61. Mine is a 1966 model (last year of production) with a 711 thermodyne, quadruplex gearbox, single drive. Honestly, regarding the integrated sleeper version, I would prefer the aftermarket look after that. Let AMT get the fundamental truck “right”. I’m going to have to use Auslowe aftermarket parts to make an accurate version of Australian versions I’m planning. 
 

There’s a few engine options. In my opinion, a 711 thermodyne with a quad box would be ideal. The engine is likely a 673 thermodyne which I believe were more common earlier on in the production run which is what I believe the model is likely to be based on. The set up in the provided picture looks very similar to the First Gear Mack. They’re likely scanning and using the same truck it was based on from what I can tell in the pictures. (See pictures)

The options are endless. Some B61 versions even had a DM600 like “fishbelly” shaped chassis. Hopefully they don’t give us that version as we didn’t get them in Australia, but  if you want to make that version you could simply use a DM600 chassis. 
 

Things I’d like to see AMT do with this project would be separate spider wheels from the rims. Also, have the dash multiple piece so it can be made right hand drive (although the Australian aftermarket will definitely sort that).

I’ll get 2 initially, one to build out of the box and the second will be made to my real 1:1 spec in my granddad’s Mack B61 colours/livery.  Cheers

Ben

[Rodent]

Would this trailer be suitable for the Mack? It seemed a little "old fashioned" when it came out c 1971.

[TECHMAN]

7 hours ago, Rodent said:

Would this trailer be suitable for the Mack? It seemed a little "old fashioned" when it came out c 1971.

That "deco" style trailer, when looking in a bunch of my old truck-books, shows up (basically) from mid-50's to mid-60's,  so if you're doing a "period build", that should fit the bill.

DJ

[Rodent]

47 minutes ago, TECHMAN said:

That "deco" style trailer, when looking in a bunch of my old truck-books, shows up (basically) from mid-50's to mid-60's,  so if you're doing a "period build", that should fit the bill.

DJ

That's what I was thinking. I guess some of it will depend on what version the Mack turns out to be. I have had one of those trailers in my stash for quite a while, as well as the one Revell issued in the 1980s. I am not really a truck builder.

[Luc Janssens]

Wonder if this trailer is period correct, cuz it kinda looks so.

If the Kat's at Round2 can make it happen before the holidays of '26 this would be a neat combo to put under the Christmas tree.

But do like the dump truck Scott showed here, IMHO also a great possible sibling for Round2 to look into 😉

Cheers!

Edited Saturday at 06:30 AM by Luc Janssens

[TECHMAN]

8 hours ago, Luc Janssens said:

Wonder if this trailer is period correct, cuz it kinda looks so.

The exterior post 40 foot Fruehauf trailers were brought out in the mid-50s and continued thru the late 70s (IIRC).  And as memory serves, seems was late 90s that Fruehauf went under.  But in answer to your question, yep, would be "period correct".  Hope that helps

DJ

[Biggu]

Not to mention the AMT Peerless logging trailer…

[Brian Austin]

The mack would look nicer with a round nose trailer.

FWIW Ertl offered one or two 1950s tractor trailers in 1:25 scale diecast in the early 1990s or so.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/326545392858

Edited Sunday at 07:07 AM by Brian Austin

[Brian Austin]

Closeup of another Ertl trailer.

Ebay link

[chryslerjunkandstuff]

These dudes are on-point, there ain't nobody better than Round2..

[TECHMAN]

10 hours ago, Brian Austin said:

The mack would look nicer with a round nose trailer

That would be IF you were shooting for an earlier type of build, B-Model Mack came out in 1953.  But the exterior post Fruehauf would be more "modern" if you were attempting a 60's type build (the B-Model wasn't replaced until 1966).   So either would be accurate to the years that the B61 was built, just sorta like "which look" you're shooting for.  Look forward to seeing all the different versions that everyone builds!!!!   👍👍

DJ

[leafsprings2]

IMO, the gravel trailer would be a perfect match.

[Jim B]

Didn't the earlier B-Series cabs have a rounded back for the round nosed trailers?

@Rodent Also, back in the 1960s, if you wanted to haul Ford cars, you needed to use a Ford tractor. Same with GM or Mopar.

[stavanzer]

22 minutes ago, Jim B said:

Also, back in the 1960s, if you wanted to haul Ford cars, you needed to use a Ford tractor. Same with GM or Mopar.

Yeah, but you could get 5 or 6 used cars or Junkers on that Car trailer and have a great load.

[Jim B]

1 minute ago, stavanzer said:

Yeah, but you could get 5 or 6 used cars or Junkers on that Car trailer and have a great load.

True!

[stavanzer]

And, you could always do the build super shiny, and say it was a restored rig at a Mack Truck Show.

It would look pretty good next to a Monogram/Atlantis '26 Mack.

[Rodent]

3 hours ago, Jim B said:

Didn't the earlier B-Series cabs have a rounded back for the round nosed trailers?

@Rodent Also, back in the 1960s, if you wanted to haul Ford cars, you needed to use a Ford tractor. Same with GM or Mopar.

Would love a styrene Ford W-series or GMC crackerbox, but I am not holding my breath. Guess I could backdate a Ford C-series or put a load of 70 Chevelles and Camaros behind an Astro.

[TECHMAN]

15 hours ago, Jim B said:

Didn't the earlier B-Series cabs have a rounded back for the round nosed trailers?

@Rodent Also, back in the 1960s, if you wanted to haul Ford cars, you needed to use a Ford tractor. Same with GM or Mopar.

Not always.....  If you Google search  " Vintage Photos:  The cars of 1960 arrive ready for a new decade "  you will find brand new cars being hauled by several different trucks,   some of the photos show  Dodge Truck hauling new Fords, a B_Model Mack hauling new Pontiacs, and a GMC truck hauling new Dodges.......  There were several "contract shippers" that worked for more than one manufacturer hauling their new vehicles.  The Manufacture's "company trucks" were most always exclusive to their personal brand, the "independent shippers" used all types of trucks......  Hope that helps.....😊

And yes, there was a B-Model Mack that had the "rounded back" cab, but it was not exclusive to a "rounded nose" trailer, it was so that the trailer could be moved closer to the cab (overall length laws) and be able to "jack-knife" the trailer without damaging the tractor/trailer....  Again, hope that helps....😊

DJ

Edited 17 hours ago by TECHMAN
additional info

[Ragtop Man]

As for Ford products that left town daily from Deer-Burn, E+L Carriers used Ford Truck exclusively for decades.

The "L" was for Lawson. Lloyd Sr. was a friend of HF1 and the founder; as Dearborn families went (before it became a suburb of Beriut) was "rich beyond the dreams of avarice."

I don't think I ever saw a Ford or Mercury on a haulaway the wasn't an E&L until I was well into adulthood.

The grandson was my age, always had the COOLEST Dinky and Corgi sets from the local department store - I distinctly recall the 007 and Batman sets.

[TECHMAN]

NOT disputing your word about "E+L Carriers"........  As I said, Most "manufacture's" trucks were most always exclusive to the brand they hauled, but, NOT ALWAYS....

If you'll take a couple of moments to look, you'll see in the Web-site that I listed, (and it's only one of many), you can see pictures posted of, as I mentioned, a DODGE Truck hauling new 1960 model FORD cars, etc.   May very well not have been "leaving the factory", but not every new car that rode on a car-carrier was always coming "straight out of the factory gates", could have been going from dealer-to-dealer, etc.  Was only trying to help a couple of model builders who wanted to attempt to build a more "period correct" build.  I AM NOT, nor do I claim to be, a "walking encyclopedia",  but one thing I have learned in 75 years, is that there are VERY FEW things in this old world that do not have "exceptions to the rule" pertaining to them, and yes, there are some "absolutes"!  This isn't one of them.

DJ

[TECHMAN]

And only for the sake of verification, a quote from Google website:  "A shorter, curved cab known as the 'contour cab' was an option on many B-Model Macks, especially shorter tractors like the B-67.  It's concave back was designed to accommodate a longer trailer in states with length laws".   And as stated, those were used with BOTH rounded-nose, and flat-nose type trailers.  Again, O N L Y  trying to help.....

DJ

[Mark C.]

2 hours ago, TECHMAN said:

NOT disputing your word about "E+L Carriers"........  As I said, Most "manufacture's" trucks were most always exclusive to the brand they hauled, but, NOT ALWAYS....

If you'll take a couple of moments to look, you'll see in the Web-site that I listed, (and it's only one of many), you can see pictures posted of, as I mentioned, a DODGE Truck hauling new 1960 model FORD cars, etc.   May very well not have been "leaving the factory", but not every new car that rode on a car-carrier was always coming "straight out of the factory gates", could have been going from dealer-to-dealer, etc.  Was only trying to help a couple of model builders who wanted to attempt to build a more "period correct" build.  I AM NOT, nor do I claim to be, a "walking encyclopedia",  but one thing I have learned in 75 years, is that there are VERY FEW things in this old world that do not have "exceptions to the rule" pertaining to them, and yes, there are some "absolutes"!  This isn't one of them.

DJ

Absolutely.  Where I live, we have a business called Autoport, that is basically a logistics port to shuffle cars arriving from overseas, going overseas, or arriving from assembly plants in NA to be distributed to local dealers.  As such any group of vehicles from any brand could be hauled by any random carrier.  Therefore, as an example of what could be realistically portrayed in a model building project, pretty much anything goes as long as it is reasonably period correct.

[TECHMAN]

21 hours ago, leafsprings2 said:

IMO, the gravel trailer would be a perfect match.

Another  great idea!!!!   In the 60's, Dad was pulling a belly-dump trailer with a B-73 when they were doing a "revision" to Hiway 395 (connecting it to I-80 in Pendleton, Oregon (one of the projects on my "bucket list" once the Macks become available)

DJ

[tim boyd]

You guys are causing me to remember the nightmares of my first job at Ford.  At the time E&L Transport was apparently in a state of chaos, as our poor dealers would call me every day asking where this or that car was.  I was supposed to call E&L, find out, and get back to them.  Sparing you the detail but it was a colossal mess.   This was the summer of 1978, the Ford car/truck business was still booming (the second oil embargo was about 12 months in the future), and it was a wonder I didn't lose my job right there.  WheW!   TB 

[Luc Janssens]

5 hours ago, tim boyd said:

You guys are causing me to remember the nightmares of my first job at Ford.  At the time E&L Transport was apparently in a state of chaos, as our poor dealers would call me every day asking where this or that car was.  I was supposed to call E&L, find out, and get back to them.  Sparing you the detail but it was a colossal mess.   This was the summer of 1978, the Ford car/truck business was still booming (the second oil embargo was about 12 months in the future), and it was a wonder I didn't lose my job right there.  WheW!   TB 

I can imagine.