Tuesday, April 15, 2014

CBC's GMC Class 8 truck

In 2009 General Motors ceased production of the Chev Kodiak and GMC Topkick lines of class 6 to 8 trucks (the heaviest truck classifications). They had previously exited heavy truck production  in 1986 when they sold the line to Volvo, but re-entered in 1995.
GM tried to sell the heavy truck operation, including the Flint Michigan plant to Isuzu (with whom they had a longstanding relationship) and Navistar, without success, and the last truck was built July 31, 2009.
Since then there has been talk off and on that they might re-enter production, but only in the 5-6 or 7 categories.
Therefore the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's GMC C8500 audio mobile truck with Isuzu diesel engine may symbolize the end of the line.
For a time GM had a stake in Isuzu of up to 49%, but that diminished, and Isuzu (and its car making branch Suzuki) backed out of the US, and instead concentrated on building engines.
When GM first introduced their new class 6-8 trucks in 2003, the class 8 came in 16 different wheelbase options, with several engine choices from Cat, Isuzu and others. The largest, with a 296 inch, single axle, wheelbase could accommodate a 96 inch wide x 30 foot long body.



CBC Radio's audio mobile truck is big (although I don't think all of Canada could live inside, unless they took turns) and is quite self-sufficient. It travels around the region for remote broadcasts and has its own electrical generator , air conditioner and other special equipment.  There is no manufacturer's sign on the van body, which was custom built for the CBC.
CBC has 19 trucks across the country of which 8 are audio mobile:

http://www.cbc.ca/productionfacilities/toronto/audio-mobile/#igImgId_28480
http://www.cbc.ca/productionfacilities/halifax/audio/#igImgId_27328
http://productioncenter.radio-canada.ca/mobile-production-unit

GMC often lead the pack in making trucks more civilized looking (as compared to say Peterbilt of Kenworth) and so this truck may represent the epitome of that styling.

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1 comment:

  1. Judging by the design of the stairs, handrails and the pull out landing platform, I think you'd find that this truck was fabricated by PK Van Bodies in Oshawa, ON

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