The left front cab mount failed, the cab has swung around to the right some and landed on the motor. Her fleet of 95s did cross country turnarounds with two drivers, Indiana to California and back in 5 days over the Rockies, the drivers loved them. 1968 GMC ASTRO For Sale in Madison, Minnesota at TractorHouse.com. Related > The Clifford Truck Show Best Cabover Collection EVER. Ever since those got retired (replaced by conventional White-GMC or Volvo-White rigs) Ive seen few to no Astros. Manytruckers complained that the ride was pretty rough, mostly due to the shortened wheelbase. Downtime means lost income. VIN. Given the design and material information I hung onto from earlier, I expect to be able to finish their construction fairly easily. Welcome to TruckTube!!! I dont think Id ever consider trying to restore one. You had to jack the front of the cab up to get the valve cover off. We cooperate with some of the industry-leading names that use only premium materials and cutting-edge technologies in the manufacturing of their products. Unless some ambitious individual comes along, chances are their next trip out will be their last. Single rear axle. 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. In fact, this picture was used to create a cut-out on foamcore, which sat atop their reception desk when it was unstaffed. (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. I can remember seeing many of the Astro tractors around until Kroger closed the Fort Wayne Indiana Distribution warehouse. I would bet my paycheck that the truck and trailer were originally owner by Old Dutch Potato Chip Company. The base engine was the Detroit Diesel 6-71N, with the Detroit 8V71 and Cummins N-Series diesel engines as options. I noticed and like the 92 Dark Cherry Metallic Chevy Caprice in the background of the third picture from the bottom. The cabover has a smaller seat in the middle, two doors on either side, a small handle in the middle, and a small door on each side. You've disabled JavaScript in your web browser. Today, you can still find a fair amount wide panoramic glass provided excellent vision to the front and the This was also used in the prototype Safety. Manual transmission with Hi-Lo. The plastic type is often found in the back of a truck, but it can be found in a few other areas as well. The GMC Astro is a heavy-duty class 8 cabover truck that was unveiled in 1969 as the replacement for the GMC cabover semi truck produced during 1960-1968 that received the nickname "Crackerbox" for its boxy-shaped cabin. 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. I dont recall who won it, but I do remember that they paid $300 for the privilege. A walk-in version was added in 1985. Ive had the pleasure to drive an LTL-9000, and the misfortune to drive a Brigadier. Diesel (unable to determine engine model, but based on serial number would have a Detroit 8v71). 1987 GMC Astro 95 Its too bad they dont make them like that any more. We have everything you need to maintain your GMC in top condition to avoid truck breakdowns and get it operating properly again. I still have a few anti-tamper ECM decals laying around somewhere. I read somewhere that Larry Shinoda had a hand in designing the Astro 95. This merger formed the basis of the General Motors Truck Company giving the GMC brand name for their trucks. Thats probably half the reason I was brought in: I worked cheap, I was willing to horse around with their archaic equipment, and I could manage to keep a sense of humor about it. William C. Durant established General Motors (GM) as the holding company for Buick on September 16, 1908. !, and please SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, COMMENT, hit the NOTIFICATION BELL, and have a look at our other channels:https://www.youtube.com/automototube - AutoMotoTube - Car and Motorcycle walkaround videoshttps://www.youtube.com/c/motorcycletube - MotorCycleTube - Motorcycle walkaround videoshttps://www.youtube.com/c/BoatTube - BoatTube - Motor and Sailing yachts walkaround videoshttps://www.youtube.com/c/Bicycletube - BicycleTube - Bicycle walkaround videoshttps://www.youtube.com/c/atvtube - ATVTube - All Terrain Vehicle walkaround videos Lots of stuff that rattled, fell off or quit working way too early. The blue cabooses have interiors that are usually made of plastic. My Red and White Astro 95 being an older truck was pretty well broken in and she was hot (A/C permanently broke) and noisy to be in 10 to 12 or more hours a day. Didnt most of these Astro / Titan trucks use Detroit Diesel power? This is because they are usually made of steel, and they are also available in other materials, such as plastic. And so it went. rearranged. Useful articles fast to read and guides easy to understand written by mechanics and car enthusiasts to turn your shopping experience with TRUCKiD into a pleasure. Or perhaps some do-gooder finally threw it away. The model was discontinued in 1987. It did the job but no one ever confused it with a Peterbilt or a Kenworth. Three of the sixteen-footers were completed and used for testing and promotions; this catalog picture depicts the very same boat seen above, only twenty-two years earlier. The gmc astro cabover features a black interior with a white caboose. 1995 Freightliner C.O.E. The truck had plenty of power and did a good job on the New England highways that I drove on. Orders went through Ma Bell. Some models had quite large sleeper berths. The Astro offered many improvements over the "Crackerbox" trucks. They are very similar at a glance. The yard owner and I were talking at the time, and I congratulated him on his win. Owned by Ryan Wichtner, FL. I sold off the shop manuals years ago on the internet. Super trucks for local work, but not well suited for long haul trucking. It used a single hyd cylinder on the right hand side of the frame. The truck only racked up 85,000 miles in that entire time and the engine only has 2,500 hours on it. Feed Body, model unknown cabover I wouldnt be so quick to write the Road Commander off as an Astro copy, Larry Shinoda of Mustang and Corvette fame was the man behind the design. They are all different shapes and sizes, and are also all designed to fit different people. Isuzu Bedford might be the name down under, the blue one is very clearly a (Euro) Bedford TM. Thanks for the history of the company. For a typical dealership, this meant dedicating profitable space that would have otherwise gone to selling passenger cars. Despite everyones best efforts, the business finally went under in 2013. Most kids wanted to go to the beach, but my favourite thing was to head for a truck stop! What was always fun was tilting any of these cabovers to there full tilt range. This model was designed to have a higher cab, bigger rad, and a larger engine, than its predecessor. The cabover has black, red, and white interiors. Dealer service was the biggest issue with the GMC, not unlike any GM product of the day. A cabover rig isnt as safe as a long hood rig, in the event of an accident, as there just isnt any protection for the driver. They also all open in a certain way (although they differ in this area). before, and some were cut as cost-savings. I had lots of scares over the years but that one was probably the most tense because it took a quite of bit of time to pull this off and get that cab sitting back down on its mounts. This retro truck style is rising to the surface once again for particular working applications. The Astro 95 is my first big truck of the week, and also the biggest truck in my files. Not a bad days work. EnterpriseVander Haags Inc Sp Spencer IA. the styling-the highly boxy shape made it commonly referred to as the One of my old neighbors was one of the mechanics that worked there until retiring shortly before the warehouse closed.. (I think the warehouse closed during the early 1990s) If I remember right, he told me most of the ones at Fort Wayne were Detroit powered, although there was some Cummins powered as well, with 7 speeds. It looked similar to the above shot when I last saw it, but I bet its cockpit was much more awe-inspiring in its younger days. Perhaps even these Jeeps were big trucks in a past life. In 1986, Volvo AB entered into a joint venture with General Motors in heavy-truck production, with Volvo taking an 85% stake. Dents and rust throughout, interior dirty and worn. I love my truck and it will be around for a long time to come. I thought the truck fit me perfectly and I became a part of it whenever we were on the road. Now for those of you who have seen dbl bunk Astro's yes there were some after market dbl bunk conversions. Your email address will not be published. A box is a box! But every end is merely a new beginning. To get out, the trucker had to more or less, back out of the cab door, while hanging onto a railing on the door. Stock Number. Every time I see one of these old Astros, I think of Food Lion supermarkets fleet back in the 80s. Six Easy Ways To Keep Your Truck Cab Organized On The Road. They were spun-off from Volvo during the Mack acquisition as the combined company would have had to big a share of the Low Cab Forward Truck market. 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! When it comes to clutter, some say its nothing more than postponed decisions. was loved by owners and operators alike. If anyone out there knows of others or information on this truck please contact us. The Titan was a very rare bird even when new. IHC dealers usually at least understood that an out-of-service truck meant someone wasnt making their wages. The Great Lakes Truck Club hosts the Clifford Truck Show, featuring a hot line-up of cabovers, Macks and older model rigs. Radhe also tries different gadgets every now and then to give their reviews online. custom built, and that GMC had been experiencing slightly slumping sales during Tires are good. Heres the (much older and smaller) Bedford TK: Browse the best December 2022 deals on Chevrolet Astro vehicles for sale in Provo, UT. Even upon close investigation, it looked just like an ice cream sundae that had been forgotten and was melting all over the desk! The sleeper provided ample room and comfort, and air conditioning No; the Astro was unique to GMC and Chevrolet (Titan). Picture of my Titan 90 north of Portland Maine 1979. These Astro cabs had (exterior) styling far ahead of their time, especially the ones with the smaller grille. Another controversial feature of it was Vehicle runs, drives, stops. But no more please, too uncomfortable. 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. To draw attention to the brand, GMC launched the promotional campaign using several country cross-overs. I could have sworn I took several of the truck Ill be attempting to feature below, but for some reason I am unable to find them. 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. The GMC Astro 95 was introduced It had the red and white paint scheme but but was otherwise pretty plain, with cast spoke wheels and painted fuel tanks. when the cab was tipped, anything and everything in the truck and sleeper berth that wasnt glued down, would fall onto the windshield of the truck! We/I cant go anywhere without people coming out with cameras and cell phones to take pictures of my truck. Its a FACTORY double bunk. The white cabooses have interiors that are usually made of glass. They were also louder than long hood rigs, as the driver was sitting right above the engine! A larger cab provided more interior space and greater comfort for the driver, and larger windows allowed for better driver visibility. Any way it was big. Year. Save $2,894 right now on a Chevrolet Astro on CarGurus. In 1909, GM purchased the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company founded by Max Grabowsky in 1901 that designed some of the first ever commercial vehicles. Comfort. Im very familiar with both the Astro and the Transtar. That thing is so deliciously 80s. An acquaintance of mine whod recently gone from avid recycler to junkyard owner was also present at the auction, and seemed determined to buy everything in sight. 4 head lights and double bumpers. These gems were a challenge to drive without power steering. He later ran an early 90s GMC Brig as his assigned tractor for Yellow Freight before retirement. You see a LOT of dilapidated Fords smoking their way down the road, somehow still going. This style of old semi trucks are incredibly maneuverable. (Wonder how many other people can say they own not one, butthree brand-new, never-used, 1991 model year boats?). Shopping with us, you get parts and accessories that work hard just like you, built tough just like your vehicle. The GMC Astro was offered in single or double rear axle configurations. For over a century, GMC has been offering a wide range of commercial and military grade vehicles, as well as genuine auto parts. In addition to the regular cab, a sleeper cab was available as an option. 800,000 miles, and a rebuild. In 1916, GMC made headlines when a husband and wife drove the GMC pickup truck from Seattle to New York in 30 days. 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. On the sweeping floors it may be profitable. We can order those things? The others weve seen feature yellow and blue interiors. The white cabooses weve seen are made of metal. Near the end of its run, Astro buyers had the option of several Detroit, Caterpillar and Cummins Diesel engines. Apparently, many was the visitor who attempted to dip their fingers into it! Cabover trucks, COE (cab over engine), are essentially a style of big rig truck without a hood. Throughout the entire production run, the trucks were assembled in Pontiac, Michigan by the Pontiac Central Assembly facility. 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. Interestingly enough, the people in the front office werent just strategizers and makers of budgets and blueprints. Still, it was a new truck and I was pretty happy with it. USED - Door side vent, Does not include interior trim, Needs seal, Cab over. Independent front suspension, air-suspension all-round, an ultra-light forward-set alloy cab only 48 long, power steering, a complex fabricated frame that was 50% lighter, and the lightest diesel engine: This was the recipe for the most technologically advanced semi truck tractor in the world in 1959. Im very familiar with TK Bedfords I drove them years ago. Each truck had a slightly longer than normal wheelbase, with tandem axles, a steel flatbed with wood decking, and an interesting low-mounted fifth wheel hitch setup. Heres a few pics of its predecessors. 1950s. Maneuverability. the rest of the GMC heavy duty line in 1987. Related >Trucker Culture and Professionalism A Salute to the Professionals That Move Us. 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. 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. Sleeper Type: CAB OVER: Part Info (877)238-5030 Request Info. The new model has replaced the line of C/M 90/9500 trucks. (Ever the penny-pinchers, they opted to apply the same logo stickers to the trucks as they did to their boats.). It also lacked most of the personalized touches this one hasno fancy clearance lights or custom paint jobs here! The trucker literally must stand up on the seat of the truck and crawl over theengine, which is positioned between the seats! Although Volvo GM would continue sales of COE trucks under the White GMC and Western Star brands (the WhiteGMC WH and Western Star Cabover; both versions of the White Road Commander II), the GMC Astro was never directly replaced by Volvo GM, Volvo, or General Motors. These two galsno idea who they aremade frequent appearances in company literature. So they dumped their interests in such things as snowmobiles and recreational craft, going hard after that one market they felt was most lucrative. I know the mechanics at the garbage company in Truckee/N. One of the other farms runs a fleet thats all GMC on the older stuff. But the pontoon-hauler wasnt quite as fancy as this one. However, Ive noticed a resurgence of interest in cabover trucks recently. This interior is one of the highlights of my apartment. Visit our site at any time to acquire GMC semi truck accessories and parts needed for your restoration or upgrade project. Among their factory leftovers was a small group of V-bottom boats. There are fewer blind spots too. [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. A collection of trucker tips from million milers and experienced drivers. And run they did. One of my regrets is that I wasnt yet smart enough to try to figure out how to save my fathers old 1947 Autocar 10-wheeler dump truck from the scrap yard. Needless to say, everyone there knew their products VERY well. If I recall correctly, there were a few of these made with GMC badges on them when White and GMC merged their heavy truck operations in the late 80s. The top speed was right around 60 mph, the speed limit those days was 55 mph so many trucks were geared to keep the top speed down. And so it was that I got my one and only surviving picture of the trucks at hand. For some reason most of the few I saw were rag-tag owner-ops out of Quebec. upgrade. One summer day I lost one of the rear ends coming in off the highway. One of my most exciting or tense days involved a White Road Commander. Special Series. But as you can imagine, by this time there wasnt much left of them. relocated to next to the trailer air brake lever itself, as shown. Learn the dangers of a truck driver encounters when driving an Australian road train in the barren Outback and how trucking in Australia is so different from North America. Also in common with GM products of the day Astros didnt age well, particularly inside the cab. The Astro 95 had superior driver visibility. The reason? It also has a black, white, and red interior. For example, if you were going to hide your wallet in the back seat of your car and dont want anyone to see it, you can create an interior that has a large panel that covers it up. The GMC Astro and Chevrolet Titan are Class 8 cabover-engine (COE) trucks, sold in both single and tandem rear axle configurations. for it was optional. The new model featured better visibility and improved driver ergonomics. With that in mind, we have gathered high-quality GMC parts and accessories that work the first time, every time. During WWII, GM supplied the US Army with more than 600,000 GMC trucks. It was like driving a bus! the Astro was now dead. However, there was a downside that accompanied this accessibility. He ran one as an O/O for a few years in the mid 1970s and then again as a company driver for Thrifty-Payless Drug stores in the early-mid 80s. Thats code word for farmers. Werent the other two trucks Internationals? From the second picture on, I knew it would be enjoyable! After a couple years of testing the idea was dropped due to the turbines poor fuel consumption. My client roster once included a manufacturing firm called Ercoa. There was no coming back after that. Astro model, go see the. It featured an all-aluminum cab with a 108-inch or 116-inch hood. As a mechanic, I spent a lot of time working on this style of truck. This went on after the HD line was sold off. Thats a nice one! Too bad they were unable to weather the recession. What can I do, I have diesel in my veins and Detroits in my heart. Cabover interior is the way that the caboose opens. email me. What a mess. I am actually the current owner of the truck on this article. For this reason, they are still popular in Europe, where the roadways are generally narrower, with tight clearances, and even more congested than in North America. Drove these trucks for years. An Australian truck driver talks about the REAL BAD BOY big rig trucks that run through the Outback of Australia. Parts Side Vent W/ Inside Cover, Needs Seal, Cab Over. It had chrome bumpers, a chrome grille, and a single chrome exhaust stack, but the gas tank was steel, as were the wheels. USD $1,018 . Cabover interiors are all essentially the same but they all have a few differences. So the length issue wasnt so important anymore. i have being looking for a astro or titan would you be interested in selling one. $4,000.00 1979 GMC Astro cabover semi tractor Detroit 892v 13 speed 54,276 actual mileage 2,324 hours Starts and runs great. "Crackerbox" by operators and fans. Also, by the end of the 1970s, Astro's dashboard had been slightly your own Pins on Pinterest As you were browsing something about your browser made us think you were a bot. The cabover interior is unique because it is the only one that has a caboose. 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. In the seven years I worked for them, however, none of the trucks ever moved. Must have been a big Chevy truck dealer out there. 1979 Peterbilt, 352 Cabover This Peterbilt has been beautifully restored by its owner! me with questions and comments! AS IS Sold Price: USD $1,120.00 Auction Ended: Wed, Feb 17, 2021 4:04 PM View Buyer's Premium Financial Calculator Stock Number: 520 VIN: 1GDT9L4C1GV541124 Drive Side: Left Hand Drive Dan is hoping to use this truck in the summer to haul hay. The Ercoa advertisement featuring the paddleboat and bikini-clad women was exactly what I was hoping to see! Thats an Isuzu Bedford the TM was a heavyduty TK with a double bumper, I saw one of those on Sunday a dead one they are too low powered and small for todays applications. Those old White Freightliners would just rattle all the time. The extensive use or hauling heavy cargo takes its toll on the state of your vehicle, which means that sooner or later you will need some GMC semi truck accessories and parts. As far as I know this is a Bedford KM, the heavy-duty TK. The Sleeper Bunk. They would haul trailer loads of potatoes in from Idaho with these rigs. Description. Can anyone tell me where this picture was taken. Visibility. Please email mewith questions and comments! The last GMC B-Series left the assembly line in 2003. The cabovers black interior is also the most unique. 1984 GMC ASTRO 9500 Sleeper Trucks For Sale Price: USD $23,500 Get Financing* Horsepower: 350 HP VIN: 1GDT9L4C0EV542424 Fuel Type: Gasoline Drive Side: Left Hand Drive Contact Us (573) 544-6500 Sold By: Pierson & Son Trucks New Florence, Missouri 63363 The sleeper was scaled like the cab and was roomy and comfortable. Resale on these still seems to be excellent! The neighbor has one Brigadier- a 1979 thats on its last legs. I still think about those days and whenever I see a picture of an Astro 95/ Chevy Titan 90 I know first hand they were one of the best designed and nicest looking trucks on the road. Class 8 cabover highway trucks are still manufactured at a plant in North Carolina. White trailers with a big Food Lion graphic. Autocar will still sell you a new truck. All orignal. So they let me keep the Titan 90 and I drove it till fall when I decided driving full time wasnt for me and I went back to being a mechanic. The engine dog house was shaped with a wide slot that allowed the driver to look down to the little window and see the blind spot on the right side. The payments on bulldozers and other such equipment are pretty high, and they have to be working to keep the cash coming in. TGH928V900010. One problem with the big windshield was visibility into the truck. Placement of the truck cab over the motor saved some length. 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? Modern cabovers are built with more structural safety features to protect the driver in the event of a crash. No wonder they were called Freightshakers! Drove them back in 88 when I started driving with Schneider National. As you say, its tough to be distinctive. and they will be posted! Guess which one I was most interested in? The black caboose is one that is used for a single person and the red caboose is used for a couple of people. Overspray bedamned, Ill take it! The cabover style of truck took full advantage of the trucking industry length laws, in effect at the time. Drive Side. We could only make about 59 mph but I was cool and comfortable as I cruised the highway. You've disabled cookies in your web browser. Here we have a 1983 GMC Astro. The truck was still in warranty, the service rep didnt want to replace all the parts we planned on replacing. The [1] In an option that became standard a year later, in 1979, GMC and Chevrolet offered the SS (Special Series) package. trucks or the Turbo Titan III program, please They were once very common, particularly in fleet service. Required fields are marked *. Cabover interiors are always black and have that kind of chrome finish that makes them look menacing and slightly menacing. When I worked at Peterbilt in the late 70s to early 80s, we definitely paid attention to some of the features of the Astro as well as Ford CL9000, especially the cab air suspension of the latter. The doors were a little wider on the Astro than the International and I thought the Astro was easier to get into and out of. The gmc astro cabover features a black interior with a white caboose. To ensure long and trouble-free service life of your rig, use only high-quality GMC semi truck parts and accessories offered in our online store. Following the 1980 model year, Chevrolet exited the heavy-truck segment; thereafter, alongside the Brigadier and General conventionals, the Astro was marketed solely under the GMC brand. I actually had to call Ercoa once working a claim on a boat. Back in the 70s when I started selling parts I had a few customers that ran the BowTie versions called the Titan and Bruin. I dont recall the politics of GMs medium and heavy duty truck sales but if you sold MD and HD you could order either Chevy or GMC or a mix of both. As of current production, GM has not marketed another Class 8 cabover truck (as the configuration has effectively ended production in North America). I cant speak to what other people have done for or against the GMC Astro 95s but I still have mine and it is the only one that I have seen anywhere. Maintenance and Repair A cabover is repaired by tilting the entire cab forward.
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