For Dallas Fabian – a transport operator, farmer and vintage Mack parts specialist – his affinity for the bulldog brand started at a young age.
Back when he was just 11 years old, he attended the Penrith Truck Show and when he laid eyes on a B-Model Mack, it was love at first sight. “When I saw that truck, I said I want one of those one day. Then I bought one when I was 17 and that started my love affair with Macks.”
Today Dallas is the proud owner of 18 Macks – seven are working models used as tippers to service his transport business DJF Haulage. “The rest are my collection of old girls. I now have three B-Model Macks including that first one that I bought. That will never go anywhere – it’s part of the family,” said Dallas.
“When I was 25, I bought a Mack Trident prime mover to actually use as a working truck, as an owner operator. Then I bought a couple of other old trucks too.”
Dallas’ Mack collection has some very rare finds. Speaking of his Macks, Dallas said, “The original B-Model I bought was the first one to be brought into Australia with a turbo charged engine. Seven of those came to Australia and I have two of them, so they are really rare trucks.
“I also have the oldest B61 in Australia, which my mate gave me – it’s a 1954 model. This and its sister truck were the first B61s to arrive here. The other one has been all cut up, so this is the oldest surviving one.
“My other trucks include a V8 Super-Liner, a V8 Value-Liner, one of the last 1998 V8 Titans they ever built and a 1976 R-600. I also have a 1970-model Mack Flintstone. That was the first model Mack brought out after the B-Model. It’s unrestored in the shed waiting, but it will be done up one day.
“Then I have another one in the shed too, it’s a 2000 Mack Centennial. There were only 25 built and mine is number 25, so it was the last of those that were built.”
It was this passion for Macks that led Dallas to launch a separate business alongside his transport operation called DJF Fabrications, trading as DJF Truck Parts Australia, which specialises in parts for older Macks ranging from 1960 to 2007 models.
The launch of DJF Truck Parts was a natural progression for Dallas, who began importing Mack parts when he bought his first vintage Mack all those years ago – first for his beloved B-Model and then for others who needed them too.
However it wasn’t until a few years ago, with old Mack parts becoming harder and harder to come by, that Dallas decided to take matters into his own hands.
From his home base of Mangrove Mountain on NSW’s Central Coast, he sells everything from Mack driveline kits, engine rebuild kits, replacement air manifold, cab parts, window winders, door handles, interior trims and “pretty much everything,” according to Dallas.
“We sell nearly all the parts for Mack’s R-600 and Super-Liner models. And all the parts you can’t get any more we manufacture,” he said.
Among the most recently launched products at DJF Truck Parts are complete loaded R-Model Mack dashs, available in beige, grey and black, which are built entirely from scratch.
Also available are aluminium replacement air manifolds for the firewall on Mack CH, CL, CX (Vision), Superliner LT, Titan or Trident models ranging from 1997 to 2007. These are manufactured in-house and are designed to replace the plastic housing, which can wear much more quickly. These replacement air manifolds feature an aluminium housing with fully replaceable high quality brass air fittings. They are sold in a kit that also comes with three new low air pressure switches and a mounting gasket.
For more information or to chat about your parts needs for older Macks (1960s to pre 2007 models), visit facebook.com/djf.truck.parts.australia, email sales@djftruckparts.com or call 0417 428 821.
Great article for Dallas and his business.
Congratulations.