New Look
| General Motors New Look | |
|---|---|
| |
| Years of manufacture | 1959 to 1987 |
| Length | 29 to 40 feet |
| Width | 96 or 102 inches |
| Power/Fuel | Diesel or Gasoline |
The General Motors New Look series (nicknamed "Fishbowl" for its round windshield) was introduced in 1959. In production for over 25 years, it has become the iconic North American transit bus. The New Look used monocoque construction where aluminum riveted body supported the weight of the bus. The engine cradle was hung off the back of the roof. This helped reduce the weight of the bus. The first New Looks were delivered to DC Transit Service of Washington, DC in November 1959.
The New Look was last produced in the United States in 1977. Production continued (until 1987) at GMDD of Canada with the name plate changing from "GMC" to "GM", although few were produced after 1983. The last New Looks were ordered by Sanata Monica Municipal Bus Lines of Santa Monica, California. The New Look was replaced by the RTS transit bus in 1979 in the United States, and in Canada by the Classic in 1982.
Flxible had their own very similar model, known as the Flxible New Look.
Contents |
Powertrain
The New Look was commonly powered by the Detroit Diesel Series 71 engine, commonly the V6 version. The engine and transmission were in GM's "V-drive" configuration. The engine was mounted transversly at the rea with the transmission at an approximate 45 degree angle to the rear axle. The powertrain assembly was mounted on a cradle that could be easily removed and replaced.
The original transmission choices were a four-speed non-synchronized manual transmission with solenoid reverse and Allison VH automatic transmission. The engine powered the rear wheels through a torque converter and then at higher speed powered the rear wheels directly. The two-speed Allison VS-2 with overdrive was later made available, and the three-speed Allison V730 was offered beginning in 1977.
Models
The New Look was available in a transit or suburban version. Transit New Looks were configured for urban bus operations and generally had two doors. Suburban New Looks were configured for longer distance travel and were available with 2+2 high backed seating, parcel racks and underfloor bays and generally had one door.
The model name breaks down as follows:
- (T)ransit or (S)uburban
- (D)iesel or (G)asoline, later (6)-cylinder or (8)-cylinder diesel
- (H)ydraulic (automatic) or (M)echanical (manual) transmission
- 33 maximum seats in a 29' bus 45 maximum seats in a 35' bus, 53 maximum seats in a 40' bus
The following two digits were the model series. Odd numbers for 35' transit buses denoted a 96" width while even numbers denoted a 102" width. Odd numbers for 40' transit buses denoted a 102" width while even numbers denoted a 96" width. All 29' and suburban models were 96" wide.
Later designations included an "A" for air conditioning or "N" for non-air conditioned buses.
The serial number is sometimes listed after the model. A "C" prefix was used for buses built in London, Ontario and an "M" prefix for those built in St-Eustache, Quebec. Buses built in Pontiac, Michagan did not have any letter designation.
30 Foot Transit Models
33 seat model, all 96 inches wide
- TGH-3301 - GMC 1969-1971
- TDH-3301 - GMC 1969-1971
- TDH-3301A - GMC 1969-1971
- TDH-3302A - GMC 1972-1973
- TDH-3302N - GMC 1972-1973
35 Foot Transit Models
45 seat model
Even numbered models are 102 inches wide, odd numbered models are 96 inches wide.
Hydraulic Transmission
- TDH-4516 - GMC 1959-1962
- TDH-4517 - GMC 1959-1962, GMDD 1962-1963
- TDH-4518 - GMC 1963-1967
- TDH-4519 - GMC 1963-1967, GMDD 1963-1968
- T6H-4521 - GMC 1968-1971, GMDD 1968-1972
- T6H-4521A - GMC 1968-1971
- T6H-4523A - GMC 1971-1977
- T6H-4523N - GMC 1971-1977, GMDD 1972-1983
Manual Transmission
40 Foot Transit Models
53 Seat model
Odd numbered models are 102 inches wide, even numbered models are 96 inches wide except for model T6H-5310A which was also a 102 inch wide unit.
Hydraulic Transmission
6 Cylinder engines
- TDH-5301 - GMC 1959-1962, GMDD 1961-1963
- TDH-5302 - GMC 1959-1962, GMDD 1963
- TDH-5303 - GMC 1963-1967, GMDD 1963-1968
- TDH-5304 - GMC 1963-1967, GMDD 1963-1968
- T6H-5305 - GMC 1967-1971, GMDD 1968-1972
- T6H-5305A - GMC 1968-1971
- T6H-5306 - GMC 1968-1971, GMDD 1968-1972
- T6H-5306A - GMC 1968-1971
- T6H-5307N - GMC 1972, GMDD 1972-1984
- T6H-5307A - GMC 1972-1976
- T6H-5308N - GMC 1972, GMDD 1972-1976
- T6H-5308A - GMC 1972-1976
- T6H-5309A - GMC 1972-1973
- T6H-5310A - GMC 1972-1973
8 Cylinder engines
- T8H-5305 - GMC 1968-1971
- T8H-5305A - GMC 1968-1971, GMDD 1970
- T8H-5306 - GMC 1969-1970
- T8H-5306A - GMC 1968-1971
- T8H-5307A - GMC 1971-1977, GMDD 1973-1986
- T8H-5308A - GMC 1972-1976, GMDD 1981-1983
- T8H-5308N - GMC 1975-1976
Manual Transmission
6 Cylinder engines
- TDM-5301 - GMC 1961
- TDM-5302 - GMC 1961
- TDM-5303 - GMC 1964-1967
- TDM-5304 - GMC 1963-1965
- T6M-5305A - GMC 1968
- T6M-5306 - GMC 1968
- T6M-5306A - GMC 1969
35 Foot Suburban Models
All 6 cylinder engines.
All 96 inches wide.
Hydraulic Transmission
- SDH-4501 - GMC 1959-1962
- SDH-4502 - GMC 1963-1967, GMDD 1965-1968
- S6H-4503 - GMC 1968-1971, GMDD 1969
- S6H-4503A - GMC 1968-1971
- S6H-4504A - GMC 1971-1974
Manual Transmission
- SDM-4501 - GMC 1959-1962, GMDD 1962
- SDM-4502 - GMC 1963-1967, GMDD 1963-1966
- S6M-4503 - GMC 1968-1971, GMDD 1968
- S6M-4503A - GMC 1968-1971
- S6M-4504A - GMC 1972-1973
40 Foot Suburban Models
All 8 cylinder engines.
All 96 inches wide.
Hydraulic Transmission
- SDH-5301 - GMC 1960-1961
- SDH-5302 - GMC 1963-1967, GMDD 1965
- S8H-5303A - GMC 1969-1971, GMDD 1970
- S8H-5304A - GMC 1972-1976
Manual Transmission
- SDM-5301 - GMC 1959-1962, GMDD 1963
- SDM-5302 - GMC 1963-1967, GMDD 1964-1968
- S8M-5303A - GMC 1968-1971, GMDD 1968
- S8M-5304A - GMC 1971-1977
General Motors New Look
| ||||
