1961
GM PD-4106 (Build #623, Fleet# 623)

Arguably the most influential coach ever to operate in Australia


GM PD-4106 bus, 1961 version, front and side, Photo taken February 2020

(Click on photos to enlarge) - Images free to share and distribute but please acknowledge driverclassics.com.au

About This GM PD-4106

GM PD-4106 bus (1961 model) build plate. Photo taken June 2024.
1961 GM PD-4106 builders’ plate - 623, June 2024

Built in August 1961 for Ansett Pioneer, then imported into Australia and converted to RHD by Ansair in Melbourne, our PD-4106, fleet # 623, was first registered in Melbourne in January 1962. Pioneer’s fleet numbers for the first 10 PD-4106s matched their GM build numbers while the next 33 PD-4106s followed sequentially, all starting with 6 and then the unit number.

GM PD-4106 bus (1961 model) in Dunkley's livery. Photo taken circa 1970s.
Dunkley’s 1961 GM PD-4106, ex Les Bishop, ex McCafferty’s, ex Pioneer #623, circa 1970s (photo courtesy of Paul Wright)

After years of reliable service over millions of miles, with 3 different paint schemes and various work duties spanning long distance express, tours, charter and school work, Ansett Pioneer sold this PD-4106 to McCafferty’s Coaches, Toowoomba, QLD. From there it went to Dunkley’s in Brisbane, QLD and finally to Les Bishop in Lexton, Victoria. Les spent over 10 years painstakingly restoring the GM in his shed in preparation for it to become a motorhome, until he had a change of heart.

GM PD-4106 bus (1965 model), parts bus on back of truck, Photo taken September 2015
1965 GM PD-4106 parts coach, build #3163 fleet #661 ex Turnbull, ex Greyhound USA, Western Highway VIC, September 2015

Although the coach had no interior, Driver Classics purchased the GM from Les in 2015, along with another GM, the ex Turnbull, Mt Gambier SA 1965 PD-4106 (Build #3163 ex Greyhound USA 1970, Pioneer fleet #661) as a parts coach, and continued the restoration, but now to become a seated coach.

To bring the PD-4106 back to a seated coach required the sourcing of many interior fittings. Using our parts coach, PD-4106 #3163, and with assistance from the Ansett Museum’s GM PD-4106 (Build #1225, Pioneer fleet #639) ex Alan Hartney in Hamilton VIC, PD-4106 #623 is once again a fully seated coach with original fittings.

The GM PD-4106 is powered by a GM V8 2 stroke diesel engine, 568ci model 8V71, transversely rear mounted, with a 4 speed Spicer angle drive constant mesh transmission. The model designation PD-4106 stands for P - Parlour Coach, D - Diesel, 41 - 41 seats and the series, and 06 - the sixth model in the 41 seat series.


The Story

The GM PD-4106 was arguably the most influential coach ever to operate in Australia. Building on the success of the Flxible Clipper, the PD-4106 raised the bar to an unprecedented level and set a new benchmark for the entire industry in Australia to follow.

GM built 3,226 PD-4106s at GMC Truck and Coach in Pontiac, Michigan, USA with 43 destined for Australia, 35 new and 8 ex Greyhound USA.

Early 1960s GM PD-4106 bus brochure cover
Early 1960s GM PD-4106 brochure cover
Page from early 1960s GM PD-4106 brochure
Early 1960s GM PD-4106 brochure page

The GM PD-4106 introduced many significant firsts for Australia; sleek, modern single level styling with all aluminium monocoque light-weight construction, an angle drive transversely mounted rear engine, or V-drive in GM terminology, a recently released powerful GM diesel V8, model 8V71 engine, a four speed constant mesh Spicer transmission (crash box), air suspension, large under floor luggage bins with the passenger deck above, an entrance door ahead of the front wheels, air conditioning, restroom and other interior comforts including reclining aircraft type seats with adjustable head rests and foot rests. Air conditioning was set to a constant 72 degrees Fahrenheit with air entering the interior of the coach through continuous ducting at the lower edge of the side windows that also resulted in windows not fogging.

Illustration of the Ansair-GM bus, a potential Australian produced version of the GM PD-4106
Illustration of the ‘not to be’ Ansair-GM, a potential Australian produced version of the GM PD-4106
GM PD-4106 bus, early 1960s version, being unloaded at Melbourne Docks
Early 1960s GM PD-4106 being unloaded at Melbourne Docks. The temporary Pioneer Express signage was for the media covering the arrival of the PD-4106 in Melbourne.

Before the importation of the first GM PD-4106s into Australia, Ansair - the bus building division of Ansett Transport Industries, had discussions with General Motors about manufacturing the PD-4106 in Australia, in a similar manner to how Ansair built the Flxible Clipper under license to the Flxible Corporation, Ohio USA.

Both Ansair and GM ultimately agreed on full importation of the PD-4106 after currency restrictions were lifted on February 15th 1961.

General Motors PD-4106 bus, conversion to right hand drive (RHD) by Ansair in Melbourne, VIC Australia, early 1960s
Early 1960s GM PD-4106 conversion to right hand drive (RHD) by Ansair in Melbourne, VIC Australia. Left side picture shows a PD-4106 in LHD with right side door and the right side picture shows the new RHD configuration
Pioneer advertising, circa early 1960s and Pioneer Express timetable from 1965. Both featuring GM PD-4106 bus.
Left: Pioneer advertising, circa early 1960s. Right: Pioneer Express timetable from 1965
GM Denning Mono bus. Greyhound’s 1968 ‘GM’ coach, Denning promotional photo. Photo taken at Acacia Ridge QLD in 1968.
Greyhound Australia's 1968 ‘GM’ coach, the first of A. B. Denning’s ‘Classic Series’ GM Denning Mono design. Powertrain options were either a GM 6V53 or GM 6V71 with air conditioning and a restroom, Denning promotional photo, Acacia Ridge QLD, 1968

The PD-4106, along with its successor model the PD 4107, also inspired a young Alan Denning to build a simpler Australian version at a reasonable price that revolutionised the entire Australian coach industry…the GM Denning Mono.

The only visible exterior branding on the second-generation 1968 GM Denning Mono that followed the 1966 'Square Line' model, was 'GM'...a nod to Ansett Pioneer's imported US GMs. In the 1970s following the sale of A. B. Denning in 1969 to UK firm Leyland and Alan Denning's departure from A. B. Denning in 1976, Denning quietly removed the GM branding.

The GM PD-4106 coach was a paradigm shift for the Australian coach industry in 1961.  It heralded a new age of modern coach transport in Australia with a formula that still holds true today.

GM PD-4106 bus (1961 model) at Uluru NT, Pioneer promotional shot. Photo taken circa late 1960s.
1961 GM PD-4106, Pioneer Express #628 promotional shot; note modified raised air intake for dusty conditions, Uluru NT, circa late 1960s






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