Single rear axle. The GMC Astro ceased production after the 1987 model year (coincidentally, two years after Chevrolet launched a van with the same name). These continued to remain as GMC's main class 800,000 miles, and a rebuild. No other semi had that much glass, and the fact it went down so far gave the driver better vision of things real close, like someone in a crosswalk, but it freaked some drivers out at first because you do feel exposed compared to say a Kenworth or Peterbuilt Cab over of the time. You're a power user moving through this website with super-human speed. Your email address will not be published. They were quite safe if they were driven with respect. images may be used without permission except for personal viewing. Chevy Turbo Titan III. You always had to check the interior before flopping one of these things open, you never know what you may come across, but a coffee cup was enough to take out a windshield. In contrast to the Crackerbox, the cab of the Astro was lengthened nearly six inches into a 54-inch BBC length with two sleeper cab configurations available. wide panoramic glass provided excellent vision to the front and the Broken lights and lenses throughout. The interior was designed for optimal Now for those of you who have seen dbl bunk Astro's yes there were some after market dbl bunk conversions. It seemed certain that these once-proud rigs would be fed to the crusher soon. economy. Not a bad days work. This is not one of them. Alongside a 702 cubic-inch GMC V12 gasoline engine, the truck was available with the Detroit Diesel 6V71 and 8V71 engines. [2] Along with single or tandem axle configurations, the GMC Crackerbox was available with a sleeper cab. Any way it was big. Plus, I turned out to be a convenient source of labor for creating the coming years catalog, since their marketing department was no more by that time. A larger cab provided more interior space and greater comfort for the driver, and larger windows allowed for better driver visibility. Its Hall-Scott gas engine was still running well, but the truck just was too slow to be competitive in the late 1960s, and it was actually driven to its resting place in the woods at the local wrecking yard, where it sat for years before being scrapped. Buyer's premium included in price USD $458. And their parts guys knew the product a lot better. The model was dubbed the GMC B-Series and stayed in production for three generations. Others say for every minute spent organizing and reducing clutter, an hour is earned All manufacturer names, symbols, and descriptions, used in our images and text are used solely for identification purposes only. The Kenworth cabover, better known as the bull nose, was built with comfort and driver safety in mind. Gmc ASTRO Cab, Misc. That was all there was to drive at one time. ASTRO 95. But no more please, too uncomfortable. The total length of the cab was a mere 48 . I was thinking WTF? But, with surprising candor, he began to lament his purchase of the truck having now done the math, he was expecting to take a big hit on it, and several other things hed won at that auction. Description. Theres something very nostalgic about seeing these rigs on the road today. All three are currently relaxing behind the shop until my project backlog is a bit shorter. It was a nice truck but harder to get into tight spots and I was partial to the cabovers. Thats a nice one! We take a look at the exterior and interior of the vehicle, so you can receive a general idea and appreciation of a certain brand or model.Our coverage is from Truck, Auto and Commercial Vehicle Shows in USA, Europe and Canada.Thanks for watching!! Visibility was not very good and made life tough in some of the tight spots in the old cities and towns I delivered to. Also in common with GM products of the day Astros didnt age well, particularly inside the cab. An Australian truck driver talks about the REAL BAD BOY big rig trucks that run through the Outback of Australia. You can connect with him Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its grainy and basically useless, but unless I find the others, that may well be all that remains of these rigs. But somewhere down the line (perhaps in the early eighties) they acquired another line of business: building pontoon boats. They were also louder than long hood rigs, as the driver was sitting right above the engine! Parts Side Vent W/ Inside Cover, Needs Seal, Cab Over. But, theyre almost all sitting in the weeds, done forever. Cabovers werent necessary dangerously. The base engine was the Detroit Diesel 6-71N, with the Detroit 8V71 and Cummins N-Series diesel engines as options. The GMC Astro 95 (1969-1987) For more information on the last new Astro model, go see the Other Astro Pictures -If you have any, please send them to me, and they will be posted! The cabover truck is an icon. rearranged. You can read the full disclosure policy, which is pretty dull, but here it is. Interior. Orders went through Ma Bell. Copyright 2011 - 2023 Curbside Classics. I spotted this rig several weeks ago while taking a shortcut I rarely use, coming back from picking up a load of equipment bound for the office. (first posted 2/3/2014) As one of the people whod been rallying for a Big Truck Week, I suppose its only fitting that I step up and post some. Cohort Pic(k) of the Day: Yugo When Was The Last Time You Saw One? I actually had to call Ercoa once working a claim on a boat. It wasnt exactly a dignified end for such a long-lived piece of machinery. Please email They were tough to get out of after a long day of driving, and the ride in them was pretty firm. Special Series. cylinder engines, and Cummins power was available. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. USD $3,300 . Mechanically sound. Luckily the shop we are in was originally a heavy equipment shop. American Brands: AMC, Jeep and All Others, Tractors, Lawn Mowers, Off-Road Equipment, Big Truck Outtake: GMC Astro 95 It Makes Me Want To Go Boating. uplevel sound and CB systems. IHC dealers usually at least understood that an out-of-service truck meant someone wasnt making their wages. The best trucks ever. Dan is hoping to use this truck in the summer to haul hay. The Astro was also GMs swan song in the big-truck sector, and it never sold in the numbers needed to keep GM truly viable. When I was a kid, my parents would drive me to the nearest truck stop, so I could take pictures of the big rigs, and talk to the truck drivers. Even upon close investigation, it looked just like an ice cream sundae that had been forgotten and was melting all over the desk! GM engineers began working on a new truck that would meet Right down to the furnishings, the place honestly looked like a time capsule from 1991 (just when I thought Id seen the last of NetWare 4, Compaq products with a rainbow stripe on them, and the unmistakable beeps and chirps of Merlin phones). I got a blue Chevy Titan 90 replacement while big red was in the shop. In stark contrast to the boxy Crackerbox, the exterior of the Astro/Titan featured rounded body corners and wraparound windshield glass. The faster you repair your semi-truck, the faster it gets on the road and keeps on moving your business forward. As I recall they were much easier to deal with than most boat companies who prefer to use their dealers for all customer support. Somewhere on the back roads near Pine City, MN, as I recall cant give more detail than that without actually retracing my steps. A collection of trucker tips from million milers and experienced drivers. None of this stuff is even broken in! I was really taken with the Astro cab. These rigs were once quite commonly seen rolling down the highways. Updated: Mon, Nov 14, 2022 1:32 PM Get Shipping Quotes - (Opens in a new tab) Apply for Financing - (Opens in a new tab) No image. They were mostly Astros, these older small-grille versions, in dark blue. This model was designed to have a higher cab, bigger rad, and a larger engine, than its predecessor. Super trucks for local work, but not well suited for long haul trucking. Visibility. They were indeed good-looking trucks. Of the seven, five were sixteen feet long, and two were seventeen feet. sides of the truck. My good friend and photography mentor loves them. [1] In 1983, the Aero Astro option package was released, largely as an effort to improve fuel economy. White trailers with a big "Food Lion" graphic. All in all the Astro proved the old adage that you get what you pay for. GMC Astro 95 Cabover T/A Road Tractor, ; Vin# TGH928V900010, Special Plate- AC122503, Manual Trans.- NO TITLE Sold By: J.G. The trucks, however, were not so lucky. It featured an all-aluminum cab with a 108-inch or 116-inch hood. Related >Trucker Culture and Professionalism A Salute to the Professionals That Move Us. They have a special look. 1900 GMC ASTRO 95 Day Cab Trucks Sold Price: USD $990.00 Auction Ended: April 10, 2021 Financial Calculator Machine Location: Boonsboro, Maryland 21713 Stock Number: 615 VIN: TGH928V900010 Drive Side: Left Hand Drive Compare J.G. Here are some comments sent in from truckers. time were adopting. With that in mind, we have gathered high-quality GMC parts and accessories that work the first time, every time. One summer day I lost one of the rear ends coming in off the highway. Did find the high-res original of that pic, but alas, no GPS information or other pictures for context. Owned by Ryan Wichtner, FL. By the time you had everything jacked up and secured you could barely work the transmission out of the narrow frame rails. Wild dashboard, what a shame that there isnt really any use for these old beasts once they get on in years . Distinguished by its boxy appearance, it earned the nickname "Crackerbox. I dont think Id ever consider trying to restore one. I sold off the shop manuals years ago on the internet. The largest cabover trucks ever produced by GM, the Astro was introduced for 1969, replacing the 1960-1968 GMC "Crackerbox" COEs. Add To Cart. model in the middle of 1949. International Cabover A 1974 model, powered by Cummins 400, 13 speed transmission, owned by Mark Johnson. It is a full size cab with a single axel. The new model has replaced the line of C/M 90/9500 trucks. Because of the regulations for length, this style of rig was very popular in its day. The ultimate custom truck show and big rig event schedule for U.S. and Canada. The interior is ruff, Dan is rebuilding the engine so as to keep it orignal. Cochran Auctioneers & Associates LTD Boonsboro, Maryland. The replacement for the F/D-series "Crackerbox" COEs, the Astro was marketed by Chevrolet as the Titan, serving as the largest cabover trucks ever produced by General Motors. Super-detailed engine, chassis and interior; CB radio and dual antennas; Astro . This merger formed the basis of the General Motors Truck Company giving the GMC brand name for their trucks. Id suspect a lot of their business came from a few good dealers, and especially from operators of a small fleet of big rigs but a varied fleet of everything who would appreciate a one-stop shop where they could get heavy haulers to get the product out, pickups and vans for *their* service techs and sedans for the sales reps through one dealership and one contract. The GMC Astro 95 was introduced Your commercial medium- or heavy-duty truck needs to be in perfect working condition to be able to make money. Its interior became much more spacious due to an optional sleeper cab. The black caboose is one that is used for a single person and the red caboose is used for a couple of people. I drove one in 71 for two years, with a V12 Detroit engine. Its interesting to hear about what happens to these manufacturing companies when they close. CC Outtake: 1975 Austin 1300 MK3 Please Do Not Adjust Your Set, Curbside Classic: 1978 Oldsmobile Omega Grandmas BMW, Streetside Classic: 1974 El Cherito GMs BTV Dreams Project, In-Motion Classic: 1970 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible Hot Mustard. The Astro 95 was the best-styled truck of its time, and one of the best ever. The truck has a 3406 A model cat 13 spd GM air ride. Most kids wanted to go to the beach, but my favourite thing was to head for a truck stop! The GMC Astro and Chevrolet Titan are Class 8 cabover-engine (COE) trucks, sold in both single and tandem rear axle configurations. At that time, another local company, Boatel, was looking to divest itself of several product lines so it could focus on its core business, manufacturing yachts. GM originally intended to offer an Allison gas turbine engine as an option in the Astro 95 alongside the various Detroit and Cummins diesels when the truck was introduced. Beat me to itthe White was clearly an Astro rip-off, although there isnt exactly a lot of leeway with big COE trucks in making them look distinctive, at least in the idiom of that time. In 1916, GMC made headlines when a husband and wife drove the GMC pickup truck from Seattle to New York in 30 days. I know the mechanics at the garbage company in Truckee/N. Resale on these still seems to be excellent! Its too bad they dont make them like that any more. Cabovers had great visibility and they had the look of highway trucks, due to their sheer height. Want to learn the language of the truck driver? We like the way they roll. You see a LOT of dilapidated Fords smoking their way down the road, somehow still going. I also have a soft spot for the Astro along with the Brigadeir and General. COEs have been the standard in Europe since many decades, a conventional truck is rare. Because of the regulations for length, this style of rig was very popular in it's day. Heres a few pics of its predecessors. When I was bob tailing, and would hit a bump, Id have a new dent in the headliner. When the truck manufacturers decided to increase driver comfort in these trucks, their price increased as well. Speaking of aluminum, perhaps the strangest item offered for bids was the right to sweep the floorswhich the auctioneer claimed would yield barrels worth of aluminum shavings if done correctly. As you say, its tough to be distinctive. For over a century, GMC has been offering a wide range of commercial and military grade vehicles, as well as genuine auto parts. . Van Alstyne was one of the female designers mentioned in the book, Damsels in Design, by Constance Smith which came out a couple of years ago and which was mentioned on this site and on others. Werent the other two trucks Internationals? later dropped from the lineup. The location makes sense. 1976 GMC Astro day cab over semi, Big Cam 350 Cummins eng., 13 spd., 11R24.5, spring ride, sliding hitch, 711,344 miles, VIN TDC926V578511 - new batteries Carlisle, Iowa. And when I came on in 2006, things werent looking pretty. Despite everyones best efforts, the business finally went under in 2013. My client roster once included a manufacturing firm called Ercoa. trucks or the Turbo Titan III program, please Changing a clutch was always fun since the rear engine mounts were attached to the transmission instead of the engine. As much as I enjoyed finally getting to climb around on the trucks, I was actually there for another reason. Turned out, he wasnt. A wide range of engines, which could be easily modified for alternative fuels such as propane or compressed natural gas, made the model popular in the school bus and police bus industry. You mean this one Bryce ? At the time I was trying to obscure the trucks location to prevent unwelcome tourists (as I commonly did with any roadside pics). They would haul trailer loads of potatoes in from Idaho with these rigs. Interestingly enough, the people in the front office werent just strategizers and makers of budgets and blueprints. This included special paint, a larger chromed front Ever since those got retired (replaced by conventional White-GMC or Volvo-White rigs) I've seen few to no Astros. After completing the CAPTCHA below, you will immediately regain access to the site again. Definitely a product of White Motor Company or one of its spin offs. Guess I did a better job than necessary, in this case! Some articles may contain affiliate links. After a short stint as an OTR driver and still holding my Class A CDL Id like to find a worthy GMC truck just to drive to one of the big truck shows. The cabover interiors are usually made with a black finish that makes them look like they have some kind of black paint on them. We/I cant go anywhere without people coming out with cameras and cell phones to take pictures of my truck. It was truly a great truck. Needless to say, everyone there knew their products VERY well. This interior is one of the highlights of my apartment. If these were being built in the late 70s, they werent that much before my time yet I cant remember ever seeing one. When backing in to loading docks and winding through heavy traffic, nothing can compare with a cabover truck! In North America its the other way around. The last GMC B-Series left the assembly line in 2003. Our mechanic seems to look at the Brigadiers the way you do. (Ever the penny-pinchers, they opted to apply the same logo stickers to the trucks as they did to their boats.). The funky hitch is called a stinger and its usually used on car haulers. The different cabooses are designed to look different colors and to be able to transition from one color to another. [1] In 1972, the Detroit 12V71 became available as an option; though rarely ordered, the V12 engine would remain through 1978. - YouTube 0:00 / 0:53 1986 GMC Astro cabover day cab. Never tripped across one that didnt rattle! [1] Featuring a (much) larger radiator grille, improvements to exterior and interior trim, the SS package was meant to market the Astro/Titan towards owner-operators. The red caboose is made of metal too. The truck had plenty of power and did a good job on the New England highways that I drove on. Once you removed the enormous doghouse from the cab you could actually do the back 3 cylinders of an in-frame from the drivers seat. But never when I have my camera with me. As you were browsing something about your browser made us think you were a bot. None were roadworthy, only one was able to be started, and perhaps worst of all, no titles could be produced for any of them. It's flush glass and smooth exterior surfaces Id been itching to make a deal ever since I became aware of their presence in the back of the warehouse some years ago, but my offers to buy had always fallen on deaf ears. !. But now a sighting of a working cabover truck on the road is more rare. Drove them back in 88 when I started driving with Schneider National. 1974 Diamond Reo Cabover An early model of COE style rig American made. In addition to light trucks, this meant a potential GMC franchise needed the ability to support medium-duty trucks, heavy-duty commercial trucks, the GMC motorhome, P-chassis, and school bus chassis. "[1][2] Available in a 48-inch BBC (bumper to back of cab) length, the truck was produced with an all-aluminum fully tilting cab. Its a working truck, too! Apparently, many was the visitor who attempted to dip their fingers into it! All Rights Reserved. In 1959, GMC introduced its Class 8 cabover trucks, replacing the previous "Cannonball" fixed-cab cabovers. Their heyday may have started in the mid 80s, but those boom years were fading away by the early 00s. I wish I had shop space for those kind of projects, my wife gets annoyed when I leave a boat on our property for more than a few weeks. The wrap around dash was a natural because it sits on top of the engine. Our goal is to support you and your business. The GMC Astro (also known as the Chevrolet Titan) is a heavy-duty (Class 8) cabover truck that was manufactured by the GMC Truck and Coach Division of General Motors from the 1969 to 1987 model years. I dont recall who won it, but I do remember that they paid $300 for the privilege. Dealer service was the biggest issue with the GMC, not unlike any GM product of the day. However, there was a downside that accompanied this accessibility. The See that guy at the helm, in the pink shirt? It doesnt have the sunshade, but otherwise it is a dead ringer. Save $2,894 right now on a Chevrolet Astro on CarGurus. I was a little concerned about the pieces that were twisted on the right front, yea they looked fine but I couldnt see taking a chance on this happening again. Numbers 1 and 2 could be done from the engine compartment. Shopping with us, you get parts and accessories that work hard just like you, built tough just like your vehicle. Among their factory leftovers was a small group of V-bottom boats. He believes that Content and Social Media Marketing are the strongest forms of marketing nowadays. It was pretty tiring crawling in and out of it and having to lie down to get dressed! 118" WB, 104" cab to rear, 184" overall. The Astro could be ordered with standard Detroit Diesel 6 or 8 Recommended Company Sponsored Schools, Requirements, pros + cons, what to expect from company-sponsored cdl training programs. metatron-nw.com 2023. When it comes to clutter, some say its nothing more than postponed decisions. Under the joint venture, GMC trucks were phased out in favor of White-designed Volvo GM products. [2] For the 1969 model year, the GMC Crackerbox was replaced by the GMC Astro, while the Chevrolet Titan was unveiled for the 1970 model year.[3][4]. They were OK trucks in their day, not bad to work on generally. They all share a few very obvious features that make them stand out, like a small seat in the middle that has a handle, a small door that is made of glass, and a small door that is made of plastic. Out here, the farmers still run Brigadiers, Generals, and Ford Louisvilles. Even the old freight shaker cabovers! They had great visibility though. The truck was still in warranty, the service rep didnt want to replace all the parts we planned on replacing. Having already acquired White Motor Company in 1980, the joint venture would do business as Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corporation, selling trucks under the combined WhiteGMC product badge. But, unfortunately, its also the one big truck for which Im most starved for pictures. In 1987, GM ended the production of the GMC General. [1], In a major change from precedent, when introduced in 1969, the Astro/Titan were marketed exclusively with diesel engines. Additional information is available in this. Could be theres more badges these wore. The cabover is made of metal and the interior is black. Its been stretched, and also has a tag axle. Had a fairly new one in for service, it had the largest sleeper size available, I think it was a queen size mattress, maybe king? I drove a COE for the first ten years or so of my driving career. Theres a bit more thought put into them now but wrap around dashboards are still the norm, the fake wood is still with us though the 2011 International I was driving was covered in the stuff. There are fewer blind spots too. It seemed the final nail in their coffin might have been the failure of a large chain of boat dealers, which happened to be one of their biggest distributors. the standards the H series set, yet be more streamlined and beyond. The GMC Astro is a heavy-duty (Class 8) cabover truck that was manufactured by the GMC Truck and Coach Division of General Motors. None of the seventeen-footers were ever completed. Drove these trucks for years. The gmc astro cabover features a black interior with a white caboose. Sleeper Cab. For more information on the last new 1987 GMC Astro 95 No operation of the . With their squared-off styling and strange proportions, GMC's aluminum cabover trucks of 1959-68 quickly earned the nickname "Crackerbox.". Not surprising, given that it came from GM, although its predecessor, the Crackerbox (attached) certainly couldnt have spent much time in the Design Center. I liked the little window in the passenger door. And 35 years ago no computerized support systems. Made money. But every end is merely a new beginning. It was easy for the younger drivers, but not quite so easy for the older truckers! The reason? The Great Lakes Truck Club hosts the Clifford Truck Show, featuring a hot line-up of cabovers, Macks and older model rigs. A popular model of truck, with COE fans, and with a following and some clubs across North America. After its discontinuation, GM exited the heavy-duty truck market. [1] In 1977, the Cummins KT450 and Caterpillar 3406 became options; the larger engines required the addition of a larger radiator. Loved it when trucks had real character. It was the oldest design GMC had at the time, and still We have everything you need to maintain your GMC in top condition to avoid truck breakdowns and get it operating properly again. Cabover interiors use a different system from other car interiors in the same way that a car interior uses a different system. the styling-the highly boxy shape made it commonly referred to as the Who knows? 1995 Freightliner C.O.E. It is a medium-duty truck commonly used as a basis for dump trucks, cargo haulers, and other commercial or industrial purposes. My first impression? He told me he took out over $2500 in bronze copper and aluminum shavings. It represents the days of trucking we all long for, in todays world of trucking, that is so muddled up and complex with its mounds of unnecessary rules, regs and guidelines. the cab was made of aluminum. Heres the (much older and smaller) Bedford TK: There are distinct niches in the trucking industry where trucker pay is above the average wages paid. Tahoe where I used to work had a tough time getting to stuff on our Pete 320 LCFs. Air brakes. No; the Astro was unique to GMC and Chevrolet (Titan). The cabover truck design is outdated for the North American highway infrastructure. The Pete 362 cabover launched in 1981 featured cab suspension as well as a wraparound dash that I worked on, which may have been subliminally inspired by the GMC. Sometimes you needed a prybar to get the rear cab mounts back into there saddles. Given the paint scheme, it seems fairly likely this tractor and trailer spent at least part of their lives together. It had the red and white paint scheme but but was otherwise pretty plain, with cast spoke wheels and painted fuel tanks. I had a Grand National at the time and it was very tempting for me to consider trading it off for one but I didnt want another car payment so that was that. The driver would be the first guy at the scene of a head on accident. I read somewhere that Larry Shinoda had a hand in designing the Astro 95. 1 of 11 ever made by General Motors. In 1981, General Motors ended sales of heavy trucks by the Chevrolet Division, leading to the cancellation of the Chevrolet Bruin, Bison, and Titan. Mainly, they were Placement of the truck cab over the motor saved some length. In 1909, GM purchased the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company founded by Max Grabowsky in 1901 that designed some of the first ever commercial vehicles. To this day I still drive a cabover, 48 years and never owned a hood. For a typical dealership, this meant dedicating profitable space that would have otherwise gone to selling passenger cars. We have large over head hoists and we can slip a second trolley hoist onto the beam from the next hoist over. The auction would be my first, last, and only opportunity to snag one for myself. [1] In 1975, GMC introduced a Dragfoiler roof spoiler as an option. The cabovers black interior is also the most unique. Safety. GMC Astro cabs were built almost entirely out of aluminum, with SMC fiberglass-reinforced plastic doors, and were offered in three lengths: the short 55-inch non-sleeper cab, a 75-inch sleeper cab and an 87-inch sleeper cab. To draw attention to the brand, GMC launched the promotional campaign using several country cross-overs. That thing is so deliciously 80s. Today, you can still find a fair amount Thanks for the history of the company. Modern cabovers are built with more structural safety features to protect the driver in the event of a crash. Call or email for more information. The shortened wheelbase allows for this tight turning radius. Equally memorable was a prop which sometimes sat near it: a Dixie cup which contained a spoon and was filled to overflowing with white glue, which had a bit of brown paint stirred in and was allowed to harden.