Looking Back: 1938 Mack ED Pickup Truck
By Tudor Van Hampton for PickupTrucks.com
What comes to mind when you think of a Mack truck? It’s big, it’s noisy and you better get out of its way, right?
For a short while prior to World War II, Mack ventured into lighter trucks that were less intimidating but tough enough to wear the chrome bulldog.
Enthusiasts usually talk about the Mack Jr., which was made in Lansing, Mich., by the Reo Truck Co. Between 1936 and 1938, Mack dealers sold 4,974 Reo-built trucks, ranging from one half- to two-and-a-half tons.
Few people know that Mack went on to build its own pickup. From 1938 to 1944, Mack produced 2,686 Model ED trucks, rated at three-quarter tons.
Less than 50 or so EDs are thought to exist. We spotted this 1938 last month at an exhibit for the Mack Trucks Historical Museum in Allentown, Pa. Owned by Gary Mahan of Basking Ridge, N.J., it wears Mack’s stock-green paint.
Costing about $600 new, a Mack ED today could fetch between $20,000 and $50,000, says Don Schumaker, the museum’s curator.
Designed to be tougher than other pickups, some EDs went into the hands of heavy-duty Mack users, while others were enlisted for the war. Art-deco touches included an aerodynamic grille, a box with rounded corners and teardrop fenders. For whatever reason, Mack decided to cancel production and focus on big trucks.
The ED came standard with a flathead straight-six, 209 cubic-inch, Continental engine rated at 67 horsepower. A 226 ci with 72 horses could also be had. Both used a three-speed or optional four-speed manual transmission.
Synchronized shifting? A fantasy.
The ED could typically haul more than three-quarter tons but not very quickly. Schumaker owns a dump-equipped ED that weighs 4,000 pounds and carries up to 7,000 gross. He is lucky to get it up to 50 mph.
“It’s a little bit better than a farm tractor,” Schumaker says, with a laugh. The ED was the lightest truck ever built by Mack, he notes.
Comments
Would love to see more stuff like this, Mike.
Had they lasted into the 50s,Mack could have installed Kaiser's supercharged Continental "SuperSonic" engine as an option.
This was truckin'.
Great find Mike. It's good to see trucks that started it all.
By the way, riding or driving in an old truck like this is something everyone who loves trucks should do at least once.
Nice!
I have a soft spot for Mack trucks as they were my dad's favorite brand when he was a trucker.
Talk about a spartan interior.
A 2010 base model work truck looks like a Rolls Royce in comparison.
Have you ever noticed the size of the steering wheels in these old trucks? or old big rigs?
They were neccessary because power steering did not exist.
Cool.
I want one!!
do a cummins swap into it
They were rebadged as REO Trucks in the late 1930's in Australia. This Australian REO pickup truck carrying a massive load is from the BigLorry british blog site.
http://www.roadtransport.com/blogs/big-lorry-blog/assets_c/2010/11/ATAarchive-thumb-448x331-102885.jpg
Now that is a sweet ride!
As far as i'm concerned these are real trucks, built rugged and built asking to be worked. This thing still looks great after 70 years or so (and i'm sure a fair amount of restoration) but I wonder how many of todays trucks would last that long.
Cool! How about a review of the Diamond T next?
The Mack ED series is and was about one of the finest pick-up trucks ever built, and BULLDOG tough! I am searching for parts to restore a 43 ED pick-up, Can anyone help?
how come I never see any coments about mack jr panel trucks built by reo?
Rare find!! How about finding parts?? Be quite a job unless some others intercjange
I have a 1940 Mack ED I'm missing the engine ,bulldog and ED badge on the grill otherwise amazingly complete .I would request guidance on finding parts ,pictures and details . any help will be most appreciated
I own a 1943 Express Delivery..needs full restoration. Any ideas for restoration parts etc. Let me know please Fantastic article !
I have a 1938 Mack Jr ED Delivery Panel Van with no info. Please help. Joe @ jnzamusements@yahoo.com
working on a parts site right now for the Express Delivery
http://oldmacktruck.com richie@oldmacktruck.com
reproducing the express Bed and other parts email me for details
puedo ver mas información detallada de la camioneta pick-up mack 2-560 ED 1938 al 1944 para la fabricación de piezas trabajo en un taller y me gustaría tener diagramas completos del diseño. en general Mack a fabricado los mejores camiones y otros vehiculos como tractores y camiones y en su historia también fabrico locomotoras. yo crecí viajando con mi padre conduciendo con el, su primer camión fue un modelo A-30, luego en las series B-42 B-43 B-61 B-70 B-75 luego con las series DM- 800 con el que saque mi licencia de conductor.las series U y los R-600
Back in 40s post war there were a lot of older Mack trucks that had a huge chain drive connecting the engine to the rear wheels. Info please.
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