A Serious Seduction: Tony Champion’s custom Mack B75

When it comes to combining old school and modern bling, you are hard pressed to find a better example than Tony Champion’s Mack B75, aptly named SEDUCE

Words by Gary Richards. Photography by Tony Champion and Ian Lee.

The dictionary definition of Seduce is to “tempt” or “persuade”. Both words do a great job to capture what this big Mack is all about – certainly very tempting and it takes no persuading to see that it is an awesome example of an impressive classic custom truck.

This awesome Bulldog was born out of Tony’s desire and imagination for a classy big ride with a difference, the best of old and new, and from Tylden Heritage, Ian Lee’s ability to rework tired old iron into a rolling masterpiece.

Tony has been around Macks all his life and knew what made a big Mack look good and go well. He owns a few nice Super-Liners including a Bi-Centennial, as well as a few other Macks, but really wanted to have something unique to add to his Mack kennel – a special standout bulldog.

About the same time, Ian had imported a US built Mack B75 as a classic truck restoration project. The B75 was from the early 1960’s and a big brother to the legendary B61 model that hauled the dirt tracks and narrow highways here.

The bigger B75 was never sold in Oz so that made it fairly special. It also had the right ingredients for an awesome “large car” – a bold square alloy radiator and long bonnet but lacked a bit in motivation, having a 200hp Mack 6 cylinder engine, and its small cab and no sleeper didn’t make for a good drive.

A couple of phone calls to start, and lots of discussions later, the idea of a special Mack was born. Like most great ideas, it started small and grew. Tony was keen to incorporate some distinctive custom features yet retain a traditional Mack look.

Tony said” I had seen Ian’s Diamond T and that got me thinking about such a custom. Any custom would have to be a Mack, and it had to have a Mack V8 so I thought initially that we could alter a B615 but when I saw the B75, I knew that was the way to go. It was a great choice”

Ian then had the incredible task of transforming these concepts into reality! His vast experience with classic truck restorations, and with his very talented main man, Tim Turner and the team at Tylden Heritage, they got stuck into the transformation.

Ian’s business motto: If you dream it, we’ll make it, was the perfect summary of what Seduce would be – Tony had a big dream for Ian and Tim to make !!

The first big job for Tim and the Tylden team was to alter the cab to accept a walk-in sleeper. Not just any sleeper – it had to look and feel the part.

The solution was provided by Peterbilt – using one of their 60” flattop bunks. The roof and back wall of the compact B model cab was enlarged and mated to the big Pete box.

And to provide a lot more space in the cab, the floor was lowered to fit the custom luxury leather high back air ride seats and give more head room. The firewall was also extended forward to give more leg room. To accommodate this extra room and to allow space for the bigger Mack V8 engine, the bonnet was also extended 130mm – and with the normal slight rake on the B75 bonnet, this all adding to the long and low visual impact!

Ian said ‘Tony was very clear that the cab interior had to be a real feature and he wanted Seduce to have a big large curved dash… so when people opened the door, their eyes popped!’

A new custom wood grain fully instrumented dash, with gold trim, was created and fitted, along with a tilt steering column. Fingertip controls were also developed and fitted to the steering column, along with a custom steering wheel. The doors got the same impressive woodgrain finish, and the gold trim finish was even extended to the handles and courtesy light bezel! All of this incredible treatment certainly creates a stunning effect on the unsuspecting when they open the cab door !

A nice touch was to still use the original accelerator pedal. It had seen a lot of miles since it was first fitted to the cab over 50 years ago, and would now have a new lease of life controlling the up-powered and very refined Seduce. The cab and sleeper was then fitted out with a warm grey pleated button/tuck interior.

Tim worked his mechanical magic to create custom alloy mounts to put the mirrors forward and out nice and wide. With the large sleeper fitted, this ensured that the rear vision was all under control. The mounts were located on the roof and firewall to keep the doors clean and free.

Access to the superbly equipped cab is achieved by a large step tool box fitted on each side. Another set fitted down the chassis to allow access to the back of the sleeper.

Tim has a reputation for achieving the impossible and with the extensive chassis and body work required, this was certainly put to the test. The balance and aesthetics of Seduce had to be perfectly matched with its large sleeper and full rear fenders, so the front mudguards were extended outwards and a new wider front axle fitted. A massive Texan type polished alloy bumper fitted to finish off the whole front end effect, adding to the long and low look.

Along the way, a veteran 14 litre Mack V8 Thermodyne engine was located and fitted – now Seduce would sound and perform like a real truck! Large dual chromed Vortox air cleaners ensures the Mack 866 V8 can breathe properly and when you have that much more hot exhaust to move, you need to have a serious exhaust system – twin 8” forward mounted chrome stacks with Bullhorn ends did the trick.

An 18 speed Road-Ranger transmission puts the brawny V8’s power in motion. A set of heavy duty Mack tandem axles, riding on the air bag suspension, completes the drivetrain. Of course, Tim and the Tylden gang had stretched the wheelbase of Seduce to accommodate the big bunk, further improve the ride – and give it some real road presence!!

Plenty of go juice is carried in twin 500 litre fuel tanks. The tanks are wrapped in polished stainless and have wide tank polished straps, adding to the bling effect. Painted tank end caps provide a matching contrast. The fillers are hidden to further enhance Seduce’s clean look.

The whole back end of Seduce received some serious treatment. Full fenders with polished stainless steel inserts makes sure that road grime is all under control. The impressive rear light bar and polished stainless chassis deck plates complete the chassis care and bling treatment.

To complete the classic Large Car look, Tony fitted a special set of replica 5 hole Budd 24” alloy wheels and low profile tyres. Again, tradition and contemporary came together perfectly.

Special touches abound, like the bulldog bonnet mascot, with its gold plated collar !

With Tony’s other passion for Ford cars, this impressively altered Mack was painted by Tim in a magnificent FoMoCo red called Seduce. There is no mistaking the mighty Mack in this vibrant colour which gives it such a great and appropriate title !!

Special Seduce badges were made and fitted inside and out – to complete Tony’s impressive rolling seduction machine !!

The end result is just sensational. As Tony says ”Seduce drives like a dream, sounds fantastic and looks great – a dream come true. It never ceases to amaze me how it stops people in their tracks…they certainly get Seduced !”

Rear Vision: where are they now?

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