Vintage Truck to Join Saint Paul Public Works at Rondo Days Parade
1920 Mack Street Flusher Truck is a working legend restored
Saint Paul – The Saint Paul Public Works Department will again showcase a piece of their modern equipment during the Rondo Days Parade on July 21, 2018. The department has been participating in the parade for the last three years to highlight its work in the community and the job opportunities available through the city.
This year, in addition to the newer public works equipment on display, parade attendees will be treated to a special trip back in time as the public works contingent will include a newly restored 1920 Street Flusher. Discovered by Chief Operating Officer Greg Nuss and carefully restored by the crew at Nuss Truck & Equipment, this 1920 Mack Street Flusher was originally purchased new by the City of St. Paul nearly a century ago.
“I have a hobby of restoring antique trucks,” stated Nuss. “I acquired this truck, which still had the Saint Paul logo on the hood, about 5 years ago. The tank was gone and the front end was missing, but 14 months later, here we are.”
According to Mack Trucks Historical Archives, this truck was delivered to Saint Paul 98 years ago on June 25, 1920. A picture of the truck leaving the New York City Mack Trucks Plant, ready to go to work with full lettering and logos, was the prime piece of information used during the restoration project.
“Seeing this vintage piece of equipment reminds us of Saint Paul Public Work’s long history of providing service to the community,” shared Kathy Lantry, Saint Paul Public Works Director. “So many things have changed over the years, including our equipment and our workforce, but our core mission remains the same.”
The truck features a 4-cycle gas engine, 75 HP, 3-speed transaxle chain drive, 1,200-gallon tank and crankshaft driven front pump. Now a working show piece, the street flusher is part of Nuss’ vintage truck and equipment collection.
Parade attendees can compare vintage and new truck models during the Rondo Days Grande Parade which starts at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday July 21 at St. Peter Claver Church and ends at Martin Luther King Rec Center.
About Nuss Truck & Equipment
With eight locations in Minnesota and western Wisconsin, Nuss Truck & Equipment is the region’s largest dealer of new and used Mack and Volvo Trucks, and Volvo Construction Equipment. Established in 1959, Nuss has become a leading provider of service, parts, trailers, rentals and custom-engineered solutions for the trucking and construction industries. With headquarter offices in Rochester and Roseville, Minnesota, Nuss is proud of its commitment to safety and exceptional service. For more information and a list of locations, visit www2.nussgrp.com.
About Saint Paul Public Works
Saint Paul Public Works is a nationally accredited organization responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of the street, sewer and drainage infrastructure systems in the city of Saint Paul. One of the largest engineering organizations in Minnesota, Saint Paul Public Works is responsible for more than 1,874 miles of streets, 804 miles of sanitary sewer, 450 miles of storm sewer, 404 bridges and 145 miles of bike lanes. The Department also engineers the traffic, signal and lighting infrastructure for the city, in addition to coordinating citywide recycling efforts. For more information about Saint Paul Public Works, visit www.stpaul.gov/publicworks.
