ebinmaine 67,292 #1 Posted December 29, 2020 https://www.thedrive.com/news/35030/fords-giant-turbine-semi-truck-big-red-is-lost-somewhere-in-the-american-southeast https://www.thedrive.com/news/37033/no-this-mid-engine-semi-truck-fused-with-a-ford-station-wagon-isnt-photoshop https://www.thedrive.com/news/38401/the-1955-gmc-luniverselle-was-a-front-wheel-drive-v8-van-ahead-of-its-time 4 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,350 #2 Posted December 29, 2020 definately unique, thanks for posting, like the GMC van 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,292 #3 Posted December 29, 2020 43 minutes ago, rjg854 said: definately unique, thanks for posting, like the GMC van That was the one that caught my eye originally. If that was released 8 years later with an updated skin I think it would have been successful. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tractorhead 9,064 #4 Posted December 29, 2020 1 hour ago, ebinmaine said: That was the one that caught my eye originally. If that was released 8 years later with an updated skin I think it would have been successful. What a fantastic look - i love it. I miss the old style Car optics like a Chevy Bell Air or a Plymouth Fury or or or.... You was able to see felt a 100 miles away what Brand that Car is. It seems neweday’s they just can built now only flat nose or egg shape, they look like if they hit a Wall or fell out from a Henn. - all are now horribly identical. If you remove the Signs you can not see on the Silhouette what Brand it was. No more individual linings and Designs like this beautiful old Cars. They told us it‘s because of Fuel Economy, hahahaha.... if the new Engines are real that economic, it shall be possible to bring them also up in a nice optic Finish. not such a „oops“ like the Chrysler PT Cruiser 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeek 2,286 #5 Posted December 29, 2020 3 hours ago, ebinmaine said: https://www.thedrive.com/news/35030/fords-giant-turbine-semi-truck-big-red-is-lost-somewhere-in-the-american-southeast I used to watch Speed Racer when I was a kid. The had a vehicle on there called the Behemoth that looked just like that! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slim67 2,735 #6 Posted December 29, 2020 1 hour ago, Zeek said: I used to watch Speed Racer when I was a kid. The had a vehicle on there called the Behemoth that looked just like that! That looks like a scene from Speed Racer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,292 #7 Posted December 29, 2020 1 hour ago, Zeek said: I used to watch Speed Racer when I was a kid. The had a vehicle on there called the Behemoth that looked just like that! I never watched the show but boy it sure does! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 7,871 #8 Posted December 29, 2020 L'Universelle is my favorite, dig that Dolly front bumper look! That kind of designing is gone for ever. Whan I was a kid we had a Pontiac Bonneville, got her used with a lot of miles but I think you could live in that thing if you had to. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #9 Posted December 29, 2020 Van looks like a 55 chevy nomad cab over... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RandyLittrell 3,877 #10 Posted December 29, 2020 This GMC motorhome was front wheel drive and used the Toronado with 455 drive train. They kinda have a cult following today I think! 2 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,292 #11 Posted December 29, 2020 19 minutes ago, RandyLittrell said: This GMC motorhome was front wheel drive and used the Toronado with 455 drive train. They kinda have a cult following today I think! Never knew that. Ain't that neat. A pair of Toronado rear axles I suppose? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,800 #12 Posted December 29, 2020 20 minutes ago, RandyLittrell said: This GMC motorhome was front wheel drive and used the Toronado with 455 drive train. They kinda have a cult following today I think! ya learn something new every day! I’ve seen plenty of these, now hopefully I don’t get shot trying to crawl under one in an even park some day! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,292 #13 Posted December 29, 2020 Just now, pullstart said: ya learn something new every day! I’ve seen plenty of these, now hopefully I don’t get shot trying to crawl under one in an even park some day! Just make sure you ask permission first but also make sure you ask with the right language. "Excuse me could I take a look at your undercarriage?". Well. That could be taken a couple different ways. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RandyLittrell 3,877 #14 Posted December 29, 2020 Most famously used in the movie Stripes!! One of my favorites!! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,800 #15 Posted December 29, 2020 1 minute ago, ebinmaine said: Just make sure you ask permission first but also make sure you ask with the right language. "Excuse me could I take a look at your undercarriage?". Well. That could be taken a couple different ways. I don’t see how that could ever so possibly go wrong? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,292 #16 Posted December 29, 2020 4 minutes ago, pullstart said: I don’t see how that could ever so possibly go wrong? You go ahead and try it but just make sure T is standing by... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZXT 2,401 #17 Posted December 29, 2020 Very cool, Eric! I love the Ford turbine truck. Hopefully the guy finds it - I'd certainly like to see it! 4 hours ago, pullstart said: ya learn something new every day! I’ve seen plenty of these, now hopefully I don’t get shot trying to crawl under one in an even park some day! Kevin, I have some ex step-grandparents that live in Traverse City, MI that have one. Until a couple of years ago (and for the last 25 years) they drove it around the country and spent the winter here in Texas to get away from the cold and snow. Very cool rigs. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RandyLittrell 3,877 #18 Posted December 30, 2020 10 hours ago, ebinmaine said: Never knew that. Ain't that neat. A pair of Toronado rear axles I suppose? No, actually front wheel drive with tag axles in the rear. I hear they were not easy to get up steep slick roads! Randy 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tractorhead 9,064 #19 Posted December 30, 2020 I know that RV but not as GMC. Drive backwards was the only Way sometimes to drive a steep hills when the road was slippery. Had a Friend they have exactly such an RV. He’s Dad bought it as a Chevy „Fleetwood“ with a Chevrolet emblem on it, but exact same optics. it was a Front wheel drive and two roller rear axles. I don‘t know if this was a „brother“ of the GMC or just an Export variant, but both are out of General Motors Company, so may be only Branded so for the European Market i don‘t know, but it definitely was sold here as Chevy Fleetwood. He's father bought it in 1983 and was only in Family hands. A fire tears it down in 2005 short before holiday‘s so nothing could be Saved, it‘s burning down to the ground sadly. It was Funny thing with plenty of space inside, but it drives like a Tank. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeek 2,286 #20 Posted December 30, 2020 19 hours ago, RandyLittrell said: This GMC motorhome was front wheel drive and used the Toronado with 455 drive train. They kinda have a cult following today I think! I'm pretty sure that's what the old "Barbie Bus" was modeled after. My wife used to have one and that's what we call them when we see them occasionally. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,163 #21 Posted December 30, 2020 4 hours ago, Tractorhead said: IHe’s Dad bought it as a Chevy „Fleetwood“ with a Chevrolet emblem on it, but exact same optics. it was a Front wheel drive and two roller rear axles. I don‘t know if this was a „brother“ of the GMC or just an Export variant, but both are out of General Motors Company, so may be only Branded so for the European Market i don‘t know, but it definitely was sold here as Chevy Fleetwood Same vehicle, just different badging since the Chevrolet brand was well established in Europe and GMC was not. There is indeed a strong community of folks keeping these alive and in use. They like the low profile, aero shape, roomy interiors, and straightforward power train. Like WH owners, many are doing mods, upgrades, and restos as well. A top end model in good condition goes for more than $20 grand. My aunt and uncle had one for years and sold it for more than they paid for it. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites