GM Semis

[special-K]

Thanks on the Champ. I combined two to make that one. I tried really hard to find the narrow bed, but had to get it put together. That was right after it was done. I put wide steel wheels painted same yellow with '60 Galaxie caps w/o any logo

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=...2CkIqAM&adurl=

[davischevy]

Originally Posted by special-K

Yep, digital cameras brought out a lot more photos in the world. I took more pictures on film than anyone I knew. Talking in general. Yet, I have relatively few photos of my trucks and many I never took any pictures at all. I also have pictures that didn't come out well or deteriorated from storage or got damaged. I remember people asking me why I took pictures of my vehicle. It was in no way a common thing. The expense and effort inhibited it's use by many. That's why insta-matics were a success.

The only two pictures I took of my '61 Champ I restored in the late-70s. And I remember my girlfriend asking me why I was taking them that day

Attachment 1767997
Attachment 1767998

GM heavy hauler

Speaking of not taking pictures, a C75, w/366 and 2 speed rear, with a flat bed dump, got me into the excavation business. No telling how many yards of dirt that thing hauled for us. It was dependable easy to drive and cheap to operate. I basically owe my current world to that truck and a Kubota tractor.

I said easy to drive. I ended up trading it for a 71 Cheyenne Super because the young bucks couldn't drive a 2 speed rear. They pretty much destroyed a good truck because they didn't want to drive it.

I owned that truck for twenty year's but I don't have any pictures that I know of.

[watahyahknow]

its prolly why a lot of busnes owners restore there first truck or machine they used to start the busnes

[special-K]

For me it was a '71 K/20 307/4spd/4.57s I paid $1k for. I ran that all over, fixing it up as I went. I welded up ladder racks and put a pair of used Reading high-side boxes on and I was in the siding business in '82. Other guys were buying new trucks making payments while I was making profit from day-1. I always gave credit to the Big Bad Green Siding Machine for my success. It also got me known for the guy with that badass old Chevy that got around on the swampy lots with no problem, where others guys had just another truck. I built a '95 K3500 as a tribute to it

I know I'm getting into the little 4 wheelers in a real truck thread, but they were commercial duty. I did take a few pictures of those, but not many. I'll add a bigger truck to keep us straight

[davischevy]

RE: Reading side boxes

I wonder when the first metal side boxes were made.

My dad and uncle were in the remodeling business in KC in the fifties. They built Their boxes out of plywood.

[special-K]

Reading set up shop in '55. But I remember most guys making their own from wood, side boxes and saddle, into late-70s, including me.

Man, just yesterday I come up behind this heavy equipment mechanics truck at a stop. Peterbilt utility body all set-up, red as red can get and clean as a whistle. First I notices the tow chain hoops with perfect paint. Then the shiny black snap down tonneau. That's when I notice the paper temp tag. Brand spanking new I want it I want it truck. This is a roads contractor nearby who has yet another pretty fleet of all red trucks. This guy is doing well, obviously. All his stuff is either a Mack or Peterbilt and looking fresh all the time. His low-boy even has red fiberglass tail dragger fenders (that's what I call them), which seem more show than go for the application. If it were me they'd be metail with more ground clearance.

https://www.google.com/search?q=M+T+...w=1138&bih=526

[davischevy]

Re: clean machines.

WE can't find anybody that can, or is willing to keep equipment cleaned up. It's amazing how many people don't know how to wash a truck.

We had a kid a couple of years ago that could make a truck look good, but since then it's been hit and miss. We have a young guy working part time in the shop now, that learned from his grandpa, that is good at diagnosing and fixing things, but he doesn't have time to wash and polish.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Originally Posted by davischevy

Re: clean machines.

WE can't find anybody that can, or is willing to keep equipment cleaned up. It's amazing how many people don't know how to wash a truck.

We had a kid a couple of years ago that could make a truck look good, but since then it's been hit and miss. We have a young guy working part time in the shop now, that learned from his grandpa, that is good at diagnosing and fixing things, but he doesn't have time to wash and polish.

When I was driving my '71 9500, I always had a bottle of wax and some clean rags with me. Many times when I had a reasonable chance and the truck was clean enough to take it, I would be out there waxing it. Usually while waiting for loads or sometimes while being loaded at different places that I would pick up at. Strangely though, some people would frown upon it. Whether it was jealousy, envy, or whatever, lol, depending on where I was picking up at.

[special-K]

Bill, you were the old school take pride in my truck type of driver for sure. I don't now how this guy keeps his trucks so clean, or how he seems to have nothing but newer stuff.

I'm worried the guy that started this thread will come along and give us a hard time for hijacking into light trucks and now off brands. I better show a GM medium or heavy so we don't set him off.

This ought to steer the conversation. Wouldn't it be cool to have a 1/2t version?
This is not a trick photo. It was actually built by Preston 151 Line as a prototype, but never happened

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Originally Posted by special-K

I'm worried the guy that started this thread will come along and give us a hard time for hijacking into light trucks and now off brands. I better show a GM medium or heavy so we don't set him off.

That's OK. I know that guy. He will understand, lol.

Cool Preston truck by the way.

Not my style, but cool anyway.

[special-K]

It is pretty neat. I forget what year this was created in. I read about it here I found the picture. I think this will tell about it

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...QvSI6kd63aknsl

[70c10-08]

Actually 1 Aero Brigadier was built as shown in this thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=734636 I'd love to know more about that captain hook model though it looks like a GMT 400 extended cab with a 90's International S Series hood as seen in that thread and here

[special-K]

I think you got that right. That was IH's front end in the late '80s and a good bit of the '90s.

Can anyone tell me what brand this one is?

[Bob B.]

Originally Posted by 70c10-08

Actually 1 Aero Brigadier was built as shown in this thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=734636 I'd love to know more about that captain hook model though it looks like a GMT 400 extended cab with a 90's International S Series hood as seen in that thread and here

From what I understand, the 'Aero Brigadier' was a proposed second generation Brigadier that would have used a version of the GMT 400 cab. It was to be a 'big brother' to the GMT 530 TopKick/Kodiak. The idea was dropped when GM merged their heavy truck operation with Volvo/White in 1987. Interestingly, there was another proposed 'Brigadier' sometime around 2004, which might have been a 2003 style GMT 560 Topkick with a longer and taller hood to accommodate a large-bore diesel.

[special-K]

I pulled up next to this guy at the truck stop (that is now a damn Chinaostco) back in '90. Sorry my pickup is in the way. I think I have another photo I could scaan of it... if I can find it

[5Tractorguy]

Originally Posted by special-K

Can anyone tell me what brand this one is?

A "Chevenworth"? Looks like a 67-72 GM cab mated to a KW nose with who knows what underneath.

Like yer pickup below it too...

[watahyahknow]

yeah i could see it was a kenworth nose and "a" pickup cab but couldnt see the brand or year of the cab
seems to work from the angle the picture was taken

[Peanutbutter]

Found this one last fall here in town, only saw it the one time. Get the pics when you see them cause you may never seeum again.

[davischevy]

Originally Posted by special-K

I think you got that right. That was IH's front end in the late '80s and a good bit of the '90s.

Can anyone tell me what brand this one is?

Look's like a Chevrolet cab and chassis with yard art (referring to another thread) for a hood.

I'm guessing Chevy chassis because of the Dayton wheels.

[davischevy]

Originally Posted by special-K

I pulled up next to this guy at the truck stop (that is now a damn Chinaostco) back in '90. Sorry my pickup is in the way. I think I have another photo I could scaan of it... if I can find it

Good lookin' work truck Tim.

[davischevy]

Originally Posted by Peanutbutter

Found this one last fall here in town, only saw it the one time. Get the pics when you see them cause you may never seeum again.

That's a good looking old Jimmy. I hope they don't trash it. That truck would clean up nice. Being a twin screw, it would be interesting to know the history of the chassis.

[special-K]

A GMC Transtar! It would be a nice one to have for sure.Talking about take pictures when you see them. Coming home yesterday evening through the mountains (took the back way) a house on a bend going up the hill I see just the size trailer I could use for sale. Wizz on by, start thinking it's just right, and I'm an hour or more from home so really should turn around and at least get the phone number and a picture. I always think "I get back and look", then either forget it completely, forget exactly where it was, or just lied to myself because I'll never get a chance to get back there. The only thing is, that was the last house before you climb up the side with solid slab of rock up one side and guardrail with sheer drop to the river on the other side with no shoulders. It's run all the way up to turn around so I decided "I'll just get back by real soon"

[KQQL IT]

Remember the green dairyland truck?

Found out this is an old dairyland trick too.

[NoStopN]

I saw this yesterday while on my way to a dealership to look at another truck.

[special-K]

Nice looking pair.

Back to the Brigadere Aero for a minute. Our friend Dan Renovetz aka Junkman (and a number. Sorry, forgot that part) has contacted me with some pictures he had taken of this interesting prototype. Dan was with Detroit Diesel for many years.

First picture was taken in '85 in Canton, OH at a Delta Nu Alpha transportation parade and was possibly featured in an Ohio Trucking Assoc. roadeo.

The other pictures are it in it's sad final resting place... Brandywine Truck Parts wrecking yard in Maryland. I'm amazed it just went to the junkyard

OK, Dan needs to re-register and needs help with posting pictures. He e-mailed me the pictures in a PDF file. I can not figure a way to show these. I saved the "page" and have singled out the actual picture icon and saved that out separately, but can't do a thing with it. I copy, won't paste. I did something where I get the option to copy link location...nothing happens. Why fter all these years and all these changes can't the people who design computers make them so regular people who's lives don't revolve around these things can use them. It's as if they assume everyone knows as much as they do. I'm a smart guy. I figure things out on my own. But this crap ain't natural and from the post-common sense era we now live in. Try rebuilding a QuadraJet carburetor you computer designing geeks!!

Can anyone help a couple guys who love trucks and sharing things about them out?