The B-doubles we see today are a long stretch from trucks of yesteryear.

I thought I might have a look at the prime movers of today compared with the vehicles of the 60s.

I have selected for the comparison the iconic US brand of Mack. 

Founded in 1900 as the Mack Brothers Company, it manufactured its first truck in 1907 and adopted its present name in 1922

The B61 Thermodyne Mack was a game changer when it came out in the mid 50s. 

The truck came with a wide selection of motors topping out at a 14.2 litre Thermodyne diesel V8 pumping out 190kws (255bhp).

It drove via single or twin axles and a Mack quadruplex transmission.

The B61 prime mover weighs around seven tonne unladen and is 178cm wide.

The cab is quite tiny with no sleeper compared with the trucks of today.

Photos can be found of it towing multi trailered road trains in the outback. 

Moving on to 2019 and looking at the Mack Super Liner.

This giant runs a 16 litre MP10 diesel motor putting out 511kw (685bhp).

Power is put to the road via a 12 speed automated manual transmission. 

Weight is unspecified but I’d estimate it at around 12 tonne.

Towing capacity is in excess of 80 tonne.

Put the B61 and Superliner side by side and the B61 would look like a growing teenager.

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