Rare 1987 GMC General Set Back Front Axle Tractor on Ebay

A quick browse of eBay led to finding this, a 1987 General, equipped with the set-back front axle (SBFA) option.

This option was first offered on 116" BBC Generals during the 1987 model year, which proved to also be it's last. The regular fenders were equipped with new fiberglass units that sported staggered rectangular headlamps. It's rumoured that no more than 20 or so ever left the factory.

The truck is equipped with a Cat 3408 diesel engine, and appears to be in decent shape - aside from some damage to the right hand side fender.

You can see the auction here.

Read more!

New RTS Order from Boston

Even after 30+ years of existance, the RTS is continuing to find acceptance in transit fleets across the US. It's become apparent that Boston's MBTA may be yet another. Millennium Transit Services, LLC, is the low-bidder for 150 low-floor RTS Extreme coaches.



The RTS Extreme is yet another chapter in the RTS' heritage that stems from it's inception by GM in the early 1970s. Based upon a Nova Bus prototype from the late 1990s, it sports a low-floor from the front doors to the rear doors, therefore eliminating the need for any wheelchair and/or entry assist mechanisms. Nova chose not to produce this coach in order to promote their total low-floor LFS design.




As can be seen from these photos by Trevor Logan of Transit Talk, the Extreme's rear sections are higher than the low floor section. For the most part, this rear structure sections of the coach are unchanged from previous RTS coaches. The only exception to this is some re-arrangement of modules to accomodate a T-Drive powertrain configuration.



While Millennium is the low bidder on this project, it is subject to the approval of the MBTA Board of Directors. Should it receive approval, it will be the second order for both the Extreme design, and for Millenium Transit.

Millennium Transit, founded in December 2003, is the 3rd owner and builder of the RTS coach design since GM sold it's transit interests in 1987.

Read more!

GM Heritage Center to Restore; Preserve Rare GMC Aero Astro

During a recent visit to the GM Heritage Center, I briefly spoke with manager Greg Wallace regarding the status of their GMC Aero Astro.

Wallace has confirmed that the truck was used by Oldsmobile Motorsports throughout the 1980s and 1990s, but was unable to confirm any usage of the truck by GM Design Studios, as had previously been suggested.




Between 1983 and 1984, an estimated less than 300 Aero Astros were built. Based upon the Astro cab-over class 8 tractor, the Aero Astro was intended to improve fuel economy, particuarly when hauling loads. In addition to fiberglass front panels, cab fairings, bumper caps, and flush mounted headlamps, the Aero Astro sported an adjustable roof mounted airfoil to match various trailer heights.

At any rate, Wallace was able to save the Aero Astro from being scrapped around two years ago by making a 'buisness case' for its acquisition.
Overall, it's in very good unrestored shape, with little to no rust on the chassis equipment, and no damage to the fiberglass aero panels.

Cosmetic restoration of the truck should occur sometime within a year. Exact details on the truck's powertrain are currently unknown.

Read more!

GMT 900 Revealed - Pt. II

At midnight today, GM unveiled it's next version of the highly-anticipated GMT 900 SUV, the GMC Yukon and Yukon Denali.

While typically I argue that there are inherent differences between the brands and products, I'm sorry to say that aside from slightly different content levels, and front sheetmetal, there's little to differentiate the base Yukon.



While the '07 Tahoe can be described as conservatively progressive, I can't put any other description on the Yukon than conservative. Much as anticipated from the Flex N Gate CAD drawings, the GMT variant of the 900 bears close resemblance to the Envoy, GMC's GMT 360/370 platform offering.



For one reason or another, I find the headlamps to be the most disconcerting factor of the front end. They seem better suited on a Cadillac (last-gen DTS) or Buick (Lucerne), and don't tie into GMC's current design themes.




That's not to say it's unattractive. However, the Denali variant seems much more sophisticated, with the billet upper and lower grilles, monotone trim, and larger chrome wheels. Depending on taste, you'll either be amused or appalled at the standard clear-lense rear tailight housings.



The 2007 Denali is also the first GMT 900 variant to use the new 6.2L Vortec V8, and the Hydra-matic 6L80 six-speed transmission. The 6.2 features variable valve timing, and cranks out 380 horsepower and 415 lb.-ft. of torque.



Only the Denali interior was photographed for this release, and doesn't show much change from the Tahoe's interior, save for the addition of brushed aluminum accents throughout the IP region.

For more information on the GMT 900, and what will likely be offered on the standard '07 Yukon, please refer to the GMT Blog's posting regarding the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe.

Read more!