Made you look! That’s not a bulldog up there on the hood—it’s a Huskie. The Brockway Huskie wasn’t just another branding decision—it was a bold move that put a tough, no-nonsense face on some of the most dependable trucks ever built. Yes, we know it's technically spelled Husky, but Brockway had its own way of doing things, and "Huskie" became part of its identity.
In 1956, Brockway Motor Company, already known for building rugged, hard-working trucks, joined the Mack Trucks family. What could’ve been a "big fish eats little fish" story turned into something much more interesting. Mack’s president, C.F.Z. Hansen, had bigger plans. He didn’t want Brockway to be a Mack clone. He wanted it to stand apart—to be memorable in its own right. Enter Bill Duncan.
Bill Duncan, Brockway’s advertising manager, had one job: give these trucks a distinctive identity. He needed an edge, something drivers would remember. Sometimes, inspiration comes from the unlikeliest places—like his son Jimmy. One day, young Jimmy was watching "Sergeant Preston of the Yukon," a TV show about a Canadian Mountie and his sled dog, Yukon King. The image of that dog leading the charge must’ve stuck with Duncan, because soon after, Brockway’s Huskie mascot was born.
The first Huskie hood ornament wasn’t just an afterthought—it was a statement. Chrome-plated and proudly perched on the hood, it made its debut in 1957. Drivers knew what it stood for: strength, loyalty, and determination. It wasn’t just a flashy design choice. Brockway trucks were built to take on punishing jobs in logging, construction, and long-haul routes. If there was work to be done, these trucks didn’t back down.
By 1962, Brockway’s 50th anniversary was approaching, and they weren’t about to let it pass unnoticed. To mark the milestone, they upgraded the Huskie’s look. Out went the chrome, and in came 7-carat gold plating. From that point on, every Huskie hood ornament had that unmistakable gold shine—a fitting tribute to 50 years of hard work and excellence.
The Huskie wasn’t just an ornament. It became Brockway’s identity. And in Cortland, New York—where Brockway trucks were built—the town took pride in it too. They embraced the nickname "Huskie Town, USA". The name stuck, and it’s still used today, long after the last Brockway truck rolled off the line.
That final truck rolled out in March 1977. The factory doors closed, and the assembly line went quiet. Cortland lost a major employer, but the Huskie’s legacy only grew stronger. Collectors and enthusiasts scrambled to find anything with a Brockway badge on it. Those golden Huskie hood ornaments? They’re some of the most sought-after collectibles in the trucking world.
Today, Brockways still grab attention at truck shows. Whether it’s a 361 conventional that once hauled logs or a rare heavy-duty 760, that golden Huskie still leads the way. It’s more than just an emblem—it’s a promise. A promise that this truck—like that sled dog from TV—will push through any challenge in its path.
