ALLENTOWN, Pa. — She’s an eighth-generation farmer in Kentucky with 1.1 million Facebook followers.
So what connects restoration enthusiast Grayce Emmick with Allentown?
Mack Trucks.
“To me, there is nothing cooler than an old dog that looks new,” Emmick said in a release Wednesday announcing her recent contribution of a rebuilt 1984 Mack R Model to the Mack Trucks Historical Museum in Lehigh County.
“Growing up around Mack trucks made it easy to fall in love with the brand. The first Mack I sat behind the wheel of is a 1985 R Model that has been on our farm since 1992.”Grayce Emmick
“Growing up around Mack trucks made it easy to fall in love with the brand. The first Mack I sat behind the wheel of is a 1985 R Model that has been on our farm since 1992.”
The Mack R Model is the longest-produced commercial truck in history, manufactured from 1996 to 2005.
Emmick, in her early 20s, said she has spent the past year restoring the royal blue 1984 Mack R Model.
It originally was custom-built for Johnny Prescott and Son Oil of Concord, New Hampshire, another family business still in operation today.
The truck represents both Mack’s legacy and a personal journey for Emmick.
Now it’s part of the Mack Experience Center at 2402 Lehigh Parkway South, a place filled with antique trucks, vintage models, memorabilia and historical archives.
'Brand roots itself into people'
The year-long restoration project balanced preserving historical elements while adding modern touches, the release said.
The truck maintains its original steering wheel cap, engraved with "Custom Built for Johnny Prescott Oil Co.," and features vintage Mack bulldog mirror ornaments with distinct long ears and tail designs.
“The Mack R Model series is iconic in trucking history, creating the benchmark for American transportation from 1965 and maintaining it through the mid-2000s,” said Doug Maney, curator of the Mack Trucks Historical Museum.
The 15,000-square-foot facility is seen by 10,000 visitors annually.
“The fact that our trucks are not just dependable tools is reinforced by the R model, generating a source of pride for their owners," Maney said.
"Grayce's influence and hands-on effort, preserving original details while thoughtfully modernizing others, helps us tell the story of Mack's heritage and the evolution of trucking in America.”
The restoration began with several Mack supporters. It seems they’re everywhere and in tune with the latest trucking industry news.
“Mack fans are loyal, dedicated, and supportive,” Maney said. “When this project was first mentioned, I had several offers from truck owners that wanted to help.”
Jim Rymes of J & H Rymes and Daughters in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, generously donated his truck for the base of the project.
To get the R to Kentucky, another dedicated Mack fan, Gregg Hoffman with Underdog Transport in Bangor, donated the hauling from Florida to Grayce’s family farm for her personalization.
Hoffman hauls trucks for a living and says he is often one of the first contacted for transporting an antique truck.
There were two moves in this effort.
"I hauled it originally from Florida in January 2024 to Grayce's farm in Lewisport, Kentucky," said Hoffman, who has wanted to drive trucks since he was a young boy. Emmick worked her talents and Hoffman then brought it to the museum to its new home.
Hoffman happily donated his services to the effort, a task that could cost around $3,000 between fuel, on the road living expenses — "Man's gotta eat," he quipped — plus truck maintenance funds, license plates.
"Grayce [Emmick] is quite amazing," said Hoffman on Thursday, on the road between Dallas and Texarkana traveling east, attempting to beat forecasted storms back to the Slate Belt and Bangor.
"She's a trained welder. She helps her dad on the farm. I tell people she has a very fitting name, she's very gracious, and a very good business head on her too. She's a good example and role model for young people, girls especially.
"Her involvement with trucks and farming is a sign that girls can do anything they want in this world. People like her, and social media and the internet do, too. That's where she makes her money now."
Hoffman is a member of the Lehigh Valley chapter of the Antique Truck Club of America, based out of the Mack museum. He and others meet there every second Saturday of the month.
"Our chapter has volunteer work days, we do some housekeeping, maybe work on a few trucks, organize the display," he said.
How do they do that?
Trucking companies and the shippers are all interconnected on the internet through what Hoffman called load boards.
"I can post my truck in a particular area and the type of trailer I have, and the shippers can see that and post up the freight they need to haul. I can pick and choose my freight and destination that will work for me that day. As long as we can agree on a price, it gets done," he said
Hoffman entered the trucking career right out of high school, learning to fix trucks at tech school, and repairing heavy trucks. In 1998 at age 28 he bought his first truck to be a driver. He loves what he does, and he used his own antique Mack to haul Emmick's restoration to Allentown.
“The Mack brand roots itself into people just as it has American and world history,” Maney said.
It took a village
The project became a family and community effort, with contributions from Emmick’s partner, Gavin Spoor, and other supporters.
A personal touch includes a fifth wheel from Spoor's truck — the very vehicle that brought the couple together during a 10-hour drive from Texas.
“Mack Trucks has been an integral part of my story, and being able to donate to their legacy is nothing short of empowering to me.”Grayce Emmick
“Mack Trucks has been an integral part of my story, and being able to donate to their legacy is nothing short of empowering to me,” Emmick said in the release.
“We're honored to welcome this historic R Model into our collection,” Maney said. “What makes this donation particularly special is how it bridges generations — combining the craftsmanship of Mack's past with the passion of a young enthusiast who understands the importance of preserving our trucking heritage.
"It will serve as an inspiring example to museum visitors of Mack's enduring quality and the continuing legacy of our favorite brand.”
The restoration process has been documented through a series on YouTube, offering viewers insight into the challenges and triumphs of bringing a classic truck back to life.
Family farm, Abe Lincoln share history
Emmick's connection to both farming and transportation runs deep.
As the eighth generation of Emmick Farms, established in 1813 in the Ohio River-bottoms of Lewisport, Kentucky, she continues a legacy that spans more than two centuries.
The historic farm, which focuses on row crops such as corn, soybeans and winter wheat, has a unique place in American history.
“Through the restoration series and seeing the end result in the museum, I hope visitors and viewers can appreciate the learning process.”Farmer and Mack truck restorer Grayce Emmick
Its riverbank once served as the site of Abraham Lincoln's ferry business, and nearby, Lincoln won his first court case, launching his path into politics.
“Through the restoration series and seeing the end result in the museum, I hope visitors and viewers can appreciate the learning process,” Emmick said.
“Nobody wants to learn the hard way, but sometimes that's necessary to understand your limits, what you need to improve on, and how you can do better.”
The Mack Trucks Historical Museum is a nonprofit that celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024.
The museum showcases 30 operational vintage vehicles that have been carefully restored and preserved by dedicated staff and volunteers.
Its extensive archives include more than 40 million pages of records documenting Mack's pivotal role in American industrial development, from World War I to landmark infrastructure projects like the Hoover Dam and New York City subway system.
The restored blue 1984 Mack R Model is now available for public viewing at the museum, which is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and Fridays.
