• B. Mitchell Carlson

• Nov 4, 2024
  

Before Bob Nuss acquired this 1947 Mack Model EH semi tractor and relabeled it to replicate the Schmidt Beer distributor’s truck from here in Rochester, it was featured in the 1988 movie “Man Against The Mob. B. Mitchell Carlson

he Nuss Collection 2024 Open House was recently held on Sept. 21. Located between downtown Rochester, Minn., and the Rochester airport along US Highway 63, this collection features some of the finest restored and original Mack trucks in world.

The collection and museum is a non-profit foundation established by Nuss Truck and Equipment and its nine Mack, Volvo and Isuzu truck dealerships in Minnesota and Wisconsin and is located adjacent to its Rochester dealership. Operating under the motto of “Building America,” the facility is usually only opened for private tours, but this event was the first time the collection was widely advertised as being open to the general public, and on this day only. Word certainly spread as there were large crowds and overflowed parking around the site for most of the day to visit the 60-truck collection.

In addition to the museum’s trucks, two chapters of the American Truck Historical Society­—Hiawathaland and Minnesota Metro Chapters—had displays and members’ trucks on the grounds. As can be expected, most ATHS members brought Mack trucks, but several other brands were also in attendance. Fitting, as the Nuss Collection isn’t exclusively a Mack truck museum. However, Mack is the dominant brand, and for good reason.

A factory-built mining truck, this chain-drive 1942 Mack FCSW with a 20.7-cubic-yard dump body was one of 38 ordered new by the Oliver Iron Mining Co. for use in the Hill-Rust-Mahoning mine adjacent to Hibbing in Minnesota’s Iron Range; the mine was once the largest open-pit iron mine in the world. B. Mitchell Carlson

The origins of Nuss Truck go back to Charles B. Nuss, Jr., who worked as a mechanic’s helper before opening Charley Nuss Garage, his own repair shop, in Rockford, Ill. With the success of the garage, Nuss obtained the Mack truck franchise in 1959, becoming Mack of Rockford. Son Robert (Bob) Nuss took over the reins in 1973 after Charley retired and continued growing the company. He expanded the company’s footprint when he acquired Mack of Rochester in 1979, and under his leadership, the company has exponentially grown since.

Bob had acquired and restored several historic trucks over the years and showed them at ATHS national conventions and the Antique Truck Club of America’s annual Macungie, Pa., show. In 2019, he formed the Nuss Collection Foundation. Since then, he’s added more trucks and Mack ephemera to the museum in Rochester. While the museum was only open for private tours, this open house was the first time most folks had a chance to see the entire collection. Based on the strong turnout, The Nuss Collection will hopefully host more open houses in the future so the public can see these historic gems that helped build America.

The Nuss Collection has a number of superbly restored Model AC chain-drive trucks, including this 3-1/2-ton-rated 1923 flatbed configured as a barrel hauler.

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You are truly dedicated to maintaining the history of trucking when you restore an original 1920 Mack Model AC street flusher. This truck was restored to exactly how it was when it was delivered new to the City of St. Paul, Minn. While street sweepers today are primarily used to keep the boulevards cosmetically presentable, this AC had a more practical sanitation need—to wash horse manure into the sewers. Its original purpose was far from glamorous, but the quality of its restoration would embarrass a number of award-winning cars at the Pebble Beach Concours.  – B. Mitchell Carlson

Mack never made its M45 as a highway truck, as it was marketed as an off-highway mine truck. However, this is one of two that was modified to be tandem pair making it the ultimate prime mover combination—with a gross combination weight rating of 1.5 million pounds.

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The Nuss Collection is not limited to Mack trucks. One non-Mack is this 1927 International Six Speed Special with express bodywork.

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The Mack Jr. model was used twice in the company’s history. The first time was from 1909 to 1916, represented by this example from 1912.

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The Mack Jr. name was revived from 1936 through 1938. This time, they were made under contract by REO. In both eras, they were the lightest-duty Mack-badged trucks of their times. In this case, it’s a 1-1/2-ton model from 1937 that was exquisitely restored by the Nuss Group’s Eau Claire, Wis., body shop.

B. Mitchell Carlson