This picture captures a little bit of Manatts history. This is our last B Model Mack going away except for the restored one in the lobby. Junie bought a fleet of these in the early 60's and they were the workhorse's for the company during the years when I-80 went through and Manatts really started to expand. These were the Cadillac of trucks in their day and for years, people related Manatts to these Macks and they really helped establish the company identity.

Most of these trucks had several lives in their time here and B Models served us in almost every capacity we use trucks for. At various times they have been dump trucks, mixers, tractors, pulled pups, and been fitted with agitors for our paving crew. This last one was a dump originally and has worn out to my guess, three mixers after that. Wally Rohrer had it in Victor for many years and it retired with him 3 years ago.   

Everyone that has spent time at Manatts has a B Model story. Every so often an old fellow will come along and reminisce how he drove one in the "good old days".  That just happened to Larry Balvin last week.  Some fellow in southern Iowa came up to him and told him he used to drive one years ago in Dysart. Technology has advanced so far, the new fellows take one look at these trucks and say no way would I drive one of these. Whenever that happens Tommy Shaull likes to tell how we used to fight over who got to drive them. They were cramped, hot, and noisy but boy did they sound nice!   Some people say good riddance but in a way there goes a lot of good memories and company history. So long, B's