10-4 Magazine January 2025

10-4 Magazine / January 2025 35 The 300 series was introduced in 1965 with a wide variety of lengths and engine sizes available. The 360 was a set-forward front axle, while the 361 was a set-back axle, which were a good portion of the 300s I saw at the event. The set-back axles make sense, as many Brockways were used in city and vocational services such as refuse trucks, road maintenance, and snow removal, where a tight turning radius was needed. Many 360s and 361s of all conditions were viewed with a notable 360 being the blue and gray model with “Maxed Out” displayed on its hood. Huskidrive was introduced in 1968, which included a 6-cylinder Cummins NH diesel, rated at 248-hp, hooked to a 5-speed transmission with 2-speed rears. All Brockway trucks equipped with Huskidrive are easy to identify because there are a pair of Husky mascots on top of the grill. In 1971, Brockway debuted the fairly rare, low profile, cab-forward 500 series, of which many were used in urban refuse collection. In 1974 the new 700 series was introduced, featuring the Shellar-Globe cab, which was also used on the Mack R model line of trucks. Using the same numbering system as the 300 series, these would be the last Brockways made before going out of business in 1977. An excellent example of a restored 761 was the bright orange tractor owned and restored by Michael Archierre and his family from Danbury, CT. A notable restoration of a 760 was a black tractor with sleeper, displayed by the Baldwin Brothers from Churchville, NY. Also in abundance were the tall, high-engine mount, short BBC 359 and 759 series, many of which were dump trucks, although I saw several tractors and other straight trucks, too. These accommodated larger engines including V8s and are similar to Mack’s C model, Kenworth’s S model, as well as ones from other manufacturers. A single-axle, short, shiny black dump truck was a fine example of a 359, and this one sported Huskidrive, too. Another short BBC model which featured a lower cab was the 358. Agood example of a 358 was an orange and gray straight truck. Brockway’s only highway cabover was the 400 series, introduced in 1963, using a cab similar to Mack’s F-model. There were a few of these cabovers at the show, but they are rare, compared to the Brockway conventionals. A nicely restored 459, painted in burgundy and white, was a perfect example of this cabover. There also were two 457s, which were equipped with 6-cylinder engines, while the 459s were powered by V8s. Engines from all the major makers could be installed in these trucks. There were 135 Brockways at the event, but on the Friday of this year’s show, as mentioned before, there was catastrophic rain and flooding from the