GM Semis

[CREWCABGMC]

Originally Posted by special-K

Yellow trucks are orange

Swamp Holly Orange

[mosesburb]

Here is a unique one for the thread:

We took a little trip this past summer (detailed in the link to my build thread in my sig line) and we found ourselves at Ellsworth AFB outside of Rapid City SD. We took the bus tour of the base and while we didn't get to see much of anything cool, they do have a Minuteman II missile silo on base.

Now if you're thinking all the Minuteman II missile silos were destroyed with the START treaty you are right, they did. This particular silo on base was a training facility and thus was not required to be destroyed. It also had stairs to access the silo instead of having to go through the "B" plug like the silo operators had to back in the day. So we go down in the silo and check out the mock missile and support equipment. Not too much to see really, but we are starting to get some redemption for the money spent to take the tour.

Missile in its hole:



There is actually a ton of neat history about these missiles and equipment used to support them. It is also very impressive when you think about the engineers who created them. No computers, just huge brains and slide-rules. Good luck pulling that off today.

So it's cool. I enjoyed it, but in my opinion, the coolest part of the missile silo area were the support vehicles on display up top (what can I say, I have a thing for trucks??)



This was a purpose-built missile transport vehicle. It was built by GMC to haul the missile (minus the warhead) from the manufacturing facility to the silo site. Very unique. I made sure I was the first person out of the silo so I could check it out a little before we had to re-board the clapped-out shuttle bus to continue the "tour".

Front shot:



Interior shot (check out the steering wheel--not a crack in it!!):



Seeing all of that high-style carpeting over the engine cover got me to thinking it must have an old Detroit Diesel in it. Maybe an 8V71 or even a 12V71?? This is a large truck and those missiles ain't exactly light. I wandered around the other side and found a cover over the rear of the engine that I could monkey with and get open to allow it's power secret to be told. I was very surprised to see two distributors looking back at me!! Yep, the GMC 702" V12 gas engine. Sure didn't expect THAT!! I know they were extensively used back then, but so were the 71's. Interesting. So I kept wandering around (time on site is finite, but I'm not sure how finite, so I have to get as many pics as possible as quickly as possible).

It is a twin screw with a tag axle on the rear with two steer axles up front. One interesting thing I noticed were tubes in front of the lead trailer axle:



I opened one of the cans above the tube and found trace amounts of sand in the reservoirs. Sanding the tires for traction on slippery surfaces. I found it interesting that this was the only position that got the sanders. No sanders on the power axles or steer axles--only on the trailer.

Another curious cat had followed me over to the transporter and he swung open one of the rear trailer doors. We were immediately hit with the smell of fiberglass resin. Amazing the thing still stunk of fiberglass after all these years.



So at this point we are getting yelled at by the tour guide and other passengers (namely our wives), so we reluctantly head back to the 6.9L diesel powered chariot.

The museum itself is great. If you ever find yourself in the area it is well worth the time to check out (use your own judgment on the base tour). It is free to get into the regular museum and there is a TON of stuff to see there. I've been to pay-museums that were not as nice as this one. Very cool place.

[marvgarr68]

Someone needs to get this if I was still living in Farmington NM I would get it. Doesn't look to be in to bad condition. She might sell it real cheap with Detroit power you can't go wrong.

[KQQL IT]

[special-K]

That Minuteman hauler is purdy dang kewl. That kind of stuff gives me an eery vibe. That was some serious chit we were messin' with,once upon a tome.

[watahyahknow]

immagine the taxdollars that whent intoo that stuff
amerika still pays interest for those rockets and silo's

[spanners]

hi, guys, i,ve been missing (lost)for a good while but i,m back and with GMC SEMI-UNIT i,v just imported to the uk.






hopefully i,ll get it restored over the coming winter ,,

[marvgarr68]

That is awesome I know were a chevy one is I will try and get it I have always wanted one

[spanners]

Originally Posted by marvgarr68

That is awesome I know were a chevy one is I will try and get it I have always wanted one

its taken me a long time to get this one and it isn,t home yet ,, its in a mates yard at present 300 miles from home ..

[marvgarr68]

Well at least your getting it. I would love to see more pics when you can

[spanners]

funny i was just trying to sort out some other pictures ,









,any information anybody may have on this truck , in fact anything at all useful i'd be grateful to know ,,

[Greg63]

Wow - Winterton North Lincolshire is vast and spacious. What part of the U.K. is that in? ;o)

Greg.

[spanners]

Originally Posted by Greg63

Wow - Winterton North Lincolshire is vast and spacious. What part of the U.K. is that in? ;o)

Greg.

i take it that youve heard of ,winterton,, then

[marvgarr68]

Nice is that a 235?

[spanners]

Originally Posted by marvgarr68

Nice is that a 235?

hi, marvgarr68,
been told it could be 450 or 470 , yet someone else say its definetly a 453
but somewhere along its travels it vin /id plate has gone missing of the door post/jamb, so it looks like we may never know 100%

[spanners]

sorry i may have mis-read youre post (its 2am here in the uk )
if youre refering to the engine being a 235, its not its a 270 the same as used in the military trucks

[marvgarr68]

O yes I forgot it is a gmc. I had a 302 gmc I6 in 6x6 jimmy gmc it was a 47 the sound from that motor was awesome. 270/302 basically the same a very good motor

[haminator]

Wow that thing looks solid and straight. You may have inported some critters too lol.

[spanners]

Originally Posted by haminator

Wow that thing looks solid and straight. You may have inported some critters too lol.

i,m leaving the ,critters, at grangemouth docs its where the truck is in my mates yard at present and his lad is going to clean all the ,crud, off it before jim transports it down to my place,, so by the time i start work on it ,, it shuold be a ,,critter,,, free

[GM72K10]

Originally Posted by C10 - C90 Bill

Check out this GMC Rare Beast on Craigslist.

1951 GMC 650 Tractor with Sleeper Cab:

http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/cto/4118827147.html

Check it out before it goes off line.

(Someone convert the pictures to permenant if possible. I would if I knew how, lol)

Bill

Here you go

[spanners]

now i do fancy that and would certainly buy it if only i could get it home ,,

[ETsC10]

Originally Posted by C10 - C90 Bill

Check out this GMC Rare Beast on Craigslist.

1951 GMC 650 Tractor with Sleeper Cab:

http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/cto/4118827147.html

*** Check it out before it goes off line.
(Someone convert the pictures to permenant if possible. I would if I knew how, lol)
Bill

*** Got it!




Via ET:
Unfortunately. she didn't leave a contact # and, I think, once the ad dies so does the ability to reply.

Here's the pics and ad:
(Located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)

1951 GMC 650 single axle with sleeper cab. 4 cylinder Detroit Diesel engine. This truck has been outside for sometime and is rusty but not totally gone. I do not know if it turns over or will run but was rolled to its new parking space three years ago. Part of my late husband's collection of unfinished projects. Make me an offer since these trucks don't come up for sale very often and I don't have much to use for comparison pricing. I will try to post pictures soon.

[special-K]

Spanners,that's a really great heavy medium duty you have there.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Spanners, Nice truck you have there.

GM72K10 and Ellen, Appreciate the pictures.

Bill

[KQQL IT]

Harm Speerstra pic