GMC Aero Brigadiers and what could have been

[70c10-08]

here are some pics of some Preston owned Brigs I found on a Mack forum.

Always leading the country’s trucking companies in innovation and efficiency, Preston Trucking independently modified unit #2451, a 1980 GMC model J9C064 “Brigadier”, to create a highly aerodynamic road tractor.

All modifications were made at the company shop in Preston, Maryland in 1981. The results were phenomenal. Equipped with a mechanically governed 290 horsepower Caterpillar 3406 tweaked by Alban CAT, Preston’s creation averaged 7.5 miles per gallon in regular service, aided by super-single drive tires and aerodynamic rear hub caps.

At the Caterpillar-sponsored National Fuel Conservation Challenge in Peoria on September 22, 1981, with the nation’s leading trucking companies participating, Preston’s entry with driver Norman Bennett behind the wheel stole the event averaging 7.63 miles per gallon (The Preston fleet at that time averaged 5.7 mpg). The closest challenger was 6.91 mpg.
For the contest, the truck was equipped with a 200 degree engine thermostat, as the philosophy of Preston’s maintenance staff was a warm engine is more fuel efficient.

Friction-reducing synthetic oil was used in the transmission and drive axle.
The belt-driven engine cooling fan was replaced by three electric fans which could be turned on progressively (individually) for optimized efficiency.
The truck’s unique fiberglass aerodynamic hood was designed and produced in-house by Preston Trucking.

“Winning the Fuel Conservation Challenge,” said Preston President Will Potter, “is a good example of what we’re trying to do to improve productivity, fight inflation and keep our rates at a reasonable level for the public.”

[70c10-08]

At the GM Heritage center lies proof that GMC pondered the production of an "Aero Brigadier".
GM Design proposed the first truly all-new GMC Brigadier, which would have debuted in 1988.
GM planned to use the then-new GMT 400 (C/K) light and medium truck cab.
However, once the decision was made to sell GM’s heavy truck unit to Volvo, GM focused on its GMT 530 medium duty program (Topkick/Kodiak) then under development by GM’s UK truck unit Bedford for introduction in late 1989.

Clearly, the Aero Brigadier influenced the GMC TopKick/Chevrolet Kodiak.
Note: 1987 was the last year of the GMC-badged Brigadier (the Series 60 was an option that year). Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corporation, the successor to Volvo White Truck Corporation. began operations in January 1988. For year 1988, the Brigadier was manufactured by GM but marketed by Volvo GM, and carried the WHITEGMC nameplate. In 1989, the Brigadier was replaced by the WG model.

Brigadiers were manufactured in Orrville, Ohio; Ogden, Utah (the former Autocar plant); and New River Valley, Virginia (the former White plant). Volvo GM developed and assembled several Brigadier engineering prototypes at their Greensboro, North Carolina headquarters, but nothing came of it.

[Bob B.]

I don't know about Brigadiers being assembled anywhere else but Pontiac (except maybe some prototypes), but Volvo/White for sure made other trucks in those other plants. Anyway, I would like to know about these Brigadiers:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sVAhiwVpF0...BBC_Proto1.jpg

They appear to be prototypes of factory 'Aero' options. My guess is these were built by GMC in the mid-80's before the formation of Volvo'GM Heavy Truck. The brown/tan Brigadier has the GMC emblem on the door, and the hood side emblem has a red background. I think the 'WhiteGMC' Brigadiers had a blue background.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Pretty interesting and the Preston truck may have gotten better mileage, but it sure ain't pretty, lol.

I remember when the Kenworth "Ant-Eater" was out about the same time frame. Some owner/operators as well as some small companies just refused to run them.

[Bob B.]

I keep bothering these guys to make a 1/64th. diecast Brigadier, hopefully they will one day:

http://www.ffertl3.com/

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Cool site.

No GMC's at all.

Not even a 9500 Long Nose, lol.

[Curbfeeler26]

Originally Posted by 70c10-08

here are some pics of some Preston owned Brigs I found on a Mack forum.

Always leading the country’s trucking companies in innovation and efficiency, Preston Trucking independently modified unit #2451, a 1980 GMC model J9C064 “Brigadier”, to create a highly aerodynamic road tractor.

All modifications were made at the company shop in Preston, Maryland in 1981. The results were phenomenal. Equipped with a mechanically governed 290 horsepower Caterpillar 3406 tweaked by Alban CAT, Preston’s creation averaged 7.5 miles per gallon in regular service, aided by super-single drive tires and aerodynamic rear hub caps.

At the Caterpillar-sponsored National Fuel Conservation Challenge in Peoria on September 22, 1981, with the nation’s leading trucking companies participating, Preston’s entry with driver Norman Bennett behind the wheel stole the event averaging 7.63 miles per gallon (The Preston fleet at that time averaged 5.7 mpg). The closest challenger was 6.91 mpg.
For the contest, the truck was equipped with a 200 degree engine thermostat, as the philosophy of Preston’s maintenance staff was a warm engine is more fuel efficient.

Friction-reducing synthetic oil was used in the transmission and drive axle.
The belt-driven engine cooling fan was replaced by three electric fans which could be turned on progressively (individually) for optimized efficiency.
The truck’s unique fiberglass aerodynamic hood was designed and produced in-house by Preston Trucking.

“Winning the Fuel Conservation Challenge,” said Preston President Will Potter, “is a good example of what we’re trying to do to improve productivity, fight inflation and keep our rates at a reasonable level for the public.”

Great Info. This unit looks like a precursor of the KWs to come. We had some at Roadway and they were real popular. Not for fuel milege , but for comfort for us drivers

[Curbfeeler26]

We called those KWs "Anteaters. If you had to hook yourself and you found one of these in the pit, you were going to have a good day.

[70c10-08]

Here's the GM Bison II (XP795) proposed future truck that was to use a gas turbine engine. Does anyone else see the GMC motorhome in this? I do.

[LT7A]

Wow that's cool.

[70c10-08]

In this video showing the development of the GMT 400 trucks which started in 1982 there's also a glimpse of what could have been. The replacement of the GMC Brigadier, if only they hadn't of gotten out of the Class 8 truck business although, I do understand that it took resources and showroom space away from the lucrative passenger car and truck Market. I wasn't able to upload the full video but here are some screenshots I took of someone walking by a full size mock up of the proposed Aero Brigadier.

[Bob B.]

Yes, that is definitely a mockup of the proposed Aero Brigadier. I wonder when that video was made as the decision to merge GM's heavy truck operations with Volvo was made in late 1986. The guy in the pictures is Don Wood, designer of the GMT400's. Here is a link to that video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dEdaZ5HQb4&t=29s