Pacific Trucks: A Canadian Industry Titan
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- čas přidán 7. 12. 2023
- Credit to Hank Rabe and the great article we wrote on Pacific Trucks
www.pacifictruckclub.org/hist...
Join us in today's deep dive into the history of Pacific Trucks, an iconic name in the trucking industry, born in Vancouver, British Columbia. Established in 1947 by three visionary founders, Pacific Trucks quickly rose to prominence, crafting their first truck on a Vancouver dock and rapidly expanding their reach across the globe.
Our journey starts with the first Pacific truck, the model E, rolled out in May 1947, and its remarkable journey to Newfoundland, a testament to the company's bold ambitions. As we explore their early days, witness how Pacific's dedication to quality and innovation garnered them rapid success, leading to their expansion into various sectors like fire and cement trucks.
We'll also uncover the evolution of Pacific's designs and models, highlighting the iconic P9, the introduction of the revolutionary eye-been truck, and their global expansion. Discover how Pacific's custom approach to truck manufacturing allowed them to cater to unique market needs, from the rugged terrains of New Zealand to the demanding conditions in South Africa.
Witness the dramatic shifts in the industry through the 1980s and Pacific's eventual transition into a parts supplier, a move that symbolized their enduring commitment to their customers. We pay homage to the Pacific legacy, a company that not only built trucks but also built a lasting reputation for quality and reliability, a legacy that continues to inspire and impact the trucking world today.
Join us in this incredible story of innovation, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of Pacific Trucks, a true titan of the Canadian truck manufacturing sector.
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You have the model to follow, Edison needs to pickup where Pacific left off. Customer service and quality, what a novel idea.
Here in Tasmania, (it's a southern island state off the coast of Australia), our Hydroelectric Commission purchased twelve Pacific trucks in the 1960's to build it's dam's and infrastructure. They bought eight dump truck's and four prime movers. All of these vehicle's are now on mainland Australia and some are still used today as working trucks. They're a bloody tough truck.
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Great video! Gotta say, the way that pacific handled their company shows just how powerful a little humanity can be. They did what they wanted, never changed, and when they went under, they adapted not for themselves, but their customers and the industry they loved so much. Great trucks and great people.
I'm a Brockway lover for those same reasons. Extremely overbuilt, servicable trucks, a company that cared for its customers, focused on quality over quantity, and just did the best possible job. Same reason I applaud what you guys are doing, repairable, lasting trucks need a comeback.👍
There's a reason why my favorite truck in Snowrunner is the Pacific P512 PF. Canadian, built to last, very good looking, MADE for these conditions. It's sad that I was to young to see one brand new. Hope to see one in real life, even if I live in Québec, I can still hope to. Thank you for that piece of Canadian truck history explained!
My grandfather was an engineer for Pacific in North Vancouver. I remember going to the plant there as a kid. He designed Pacific trucks to haul logs in BC, bananas in Borneo and even a nuclear reactor in India. I work as a truck mechanic on Vancouver Island and am lucky enough to work on a customer's 73 Pacific Hayes twin steer, self loading logging truck. Love highlighting proper BC manufacturing. Very cool video, thanks
That is awesome! I have had the pleasure of keeping a ‘72 Pacific truck going up in Grande Prairie AB at the OSB mill and getting parts through Larry. What a great fellow! He and his crew there set the bar for fantastic customer service! The truck is a beast for forwarding the 16 ft logs up to the mill. I am now on Van Island and I smile whenever I still see other Pacific trucks still hauling massive loads in the bush. Great video!
Unreal! You don’t hear this kind of story anywhere anymore! That’s so sad! All manufacturers can’t take note of this and follow suit! We would all be better off! Love the video! Keep on making high what content please! Amazing!!!
I regularly run into P16s while out wheeling here on Vancouver Island. Beautiful and gigantic trucks.
I had never heard of Pacific until you mentioned them a few weeks ago. I now have huge respect for them and hope that your company is a worthy successor.
I am both a kiwi from NZ and saw these working mid North Island off-road hauling then moved to Canada and worked for MacMillan Bloedel which was the largest forestry company in BC at that time. They had an extensive fleet of the P16 off-road logging trucks. I remember being in the workshop of one of the camps when they were switching out a de-rated Rolls Royce Perkins engine, from memory around 720hp , beast of both truck and engine. 16 foot bunks and something like 120 ton payload. Great video thanks
Awesome Canadian Heavy Truck History...❤
I worked at a steel fabricating shop in Burnaby, that would build fenders for Pacific in 1973. Those parts were the definition of heavy duty!
great Pacific history lesson Chase ..thanks for sharing that legacy.
Not a truck driver, but I like all machinery. Had the opportunity to sit in a Pacific truck, find the disconnect switch, start it, dive it back and forth about 10 feet. Then I had to call a teamster to come move it to another location. The truck belonged to Edwards Heavy Haul. Once I saw who the teamster was, I admitted that I had been playing around in it.
I grew up on Vancouver Island and remember seeing these trucks all the time, thanks for putting this together and fleshing out some of the history of these legendary vehicles !!
That has to have been one of my favorite history lessons ever! The legacy of Pacific is incredible and certainly a heck of a business model I'm glad y'all are following up on at Edison! Also, I never knew the 10/12/16 in Pacific's naming represented the size of the frame rails. I thought I knew overbuilt, but 16in I-Beam is insane, and I'm all for it!
The headlight and fender arrangement on that truck sure would look great on an Edison...
Thanks for this. Great recount of the history of a local success story. Sad to see it lost just like Western Star. I remember the factory in North Van and watch for Pacific trucks as I travel around BC. There are a couple of videos on YT showing the manufacture and first drive around the block of that last truck. I thought it was cool to see that the truck was bigger than the shop door and they had to dismantle part of the wall and expand the door size to get the truck out. Went past that site after watching this and saw the door mods still there.