Now here's a brain-teaser for all Biglorrybloggers, and in particular Martin Phippard who knows a thing or two about American trucks...so what is it? What I can tell you is that this picture was taken at the Walcott Truckers' Jamboree in Iowa some time ago and it comes courtesy of Bill Ayer in Seattle. Bill has sent me these photos for Truck & Driver and I'll run them in the mag soon but I couldn't resist showing them to BLB fans.
And while you're puzzling over that one take a look at this--an early attempt at streamlining and aerodynamic research on top-weight trucks conducted by, of all people...NASA. The official shot above is from the mid-60s (or so I recall). I'm not sure if it it isn't somehow related to the truck above.
Still for some more weird and wonderful Yankee clippers click through here...
Here's a mid-50s bonneted Diamond T rigid and beautifully-preserved too.
Now here's an Oshkosh W-Series 4x4 rotary Snow plough---at Snoqualmie Pass Washington State.
Now we have a 1950 GMC.pictured at the 2005 ATHS National Convention in Fontana California.
And last but not least a 1966 Freightliner with a top box sleeper Now where else do you get such treats eh?
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Hi Brian,
I believe this truck was developed in the mid 1970's when the oil crisis was making US operators stand up and listen to the benefits of something we like to call fuel efficiency. I remember hearing that it was based on a Freightliner but i'm not 100% sure.
There is a Nasa article on the truck here
http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/gallery/Photo/AeroTruck/HTML/ECN-4724.html
Neil
I'm not all all sure about the truck in the head-on shot but it could be a Pete 352 if the windshield is anything to go by. However, if it was a 352 it should have round headlights too, so it could be a 'Bitsa'. The NASA truck as Neil says was a Freightliner and again, as he says, the trials took place in the mid 1970s when the 55-mph Double Nickel speed limit was in force and fuel consumption became an issue for the first time ever. I actually attended the Double Nickel Challenge held at East Liberty, Ohio, in the late 1970s and in all but one case fuel consumption at 55-mph was better than at any elected higher speed regardless of gearing, configuration, aerodynamics, etc.