1968 GMC PD 4107 (Build #1137, Fleet #719)

The raised deck GMC PD 4107 was a stylish evolution of the GM PD 4106

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

About This GMC PD-4107

1968 GMC PD 4107 bus builder's plate. Photo taken July 2024 — 1968 GMC PD 4107 builder's plate - 1137, July 2024

Our GMC PD-4107 was built in May 1968 with General Motors’ build number 1137. It was Pioneer fleet #719 and converted to Right Hand Drive (RHD) by Ansair in Melbourne VIC. Pioneer’s fleet numbering system started with either 6 for the GM PD-4106s, 7 for the GM/GMC PD-4107s and 8 for the MCI MC7s, MC8s and MC9s followed by the unit number, which for this PD-4107, was 19. After the takeover of Ansett Pioneer in 1979 by Abeles (TNT) and Murdoch (News LTD), a prefix of one number and two letters were progressively added, which for this PD-4107 was 1PG.

Fleet #719 passed from Ansett Pioneer to Alan Crawford’s Premier Roadlines, Adelaide SA and was later sold to Geoff Morris, Mt Gambier SA to be converted to a motorhome. Luckily, before the conversion started, Geoff sold #719 to Fawlty Tours, Adelaide SA who later sold #719 to Wayward Bus, Adelaide SA to continue in service, primarily operating a tour between Adelaide SA and Alice Springs NT. Driver Classics acquired #719 in 2007 from Wayward Bus with #719 then in the colours for the Ghost Rider movie starring Nicolas Cage. Driver Classics subsequently returned #719 back to its original Pioneer colours.

Bus in Ghost Rider movie, 1968 GMC PD4107, November 2007 — 1968 GMC PD 4107 (#1137) in the colours for the’ Ghost Rider’ movie, November 2007

The GMC PD 4107 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-4107 stands for P - Parlour Coach, D - Diesel, 41 - 41 seats and the series, and 07 - the seventh model in the 41 seat series.

The Story

Line Drawing of a 1954-56 GM PD-4501 bus. Greyhound USA bus. Black and white. Illustrated by Chuck Boie. — Line Drawing by Chuck Boie of a Greyhound USA 1954-56 GM PD-4501 Scenicruiser, Redden Archives, 1992

The raised deck GMC PD-4107 was a stylish evolution of the single deck GM PD-4106. It retained all the features of the PD-4106 but added a roof window, increased luggage capacity and better viewing for passengers because of its higher deck and a half styling. Its muscular stance coined some nick names…in Australia, the Jumbo and in the US, the Buffalo. Styling was inspired by the American Greyhound 1954-56 GM PD-4501 Scenicruiser which had an even higher raised deck design. GM built 1,267 PD-4107s between 1966 and 1969 at GMC Truck and Coach, Pontiac, Michigan USA, with 27 purchased by R. M. Ansett’s Ansett Pioneer.

PD4501 Scenicruiser bus — Tom McNally’s restored 1956 GM PD4501 Scenicruiser with The Bus Boys 1968 Flxible Flxliner behind, Memphis TN, USA, April 2013

The PD-4107s were built by GM in Left Hand Drive (LHD) and converted to Right Hand Drive (RHD) by Ansair at its Essendon airport plant in Melbourne in the same manner as the previous GM PD-4106s. Ansair was the bus building division of Ansett Transport Industries.

Pioneer promotion of the first General Motors GM PD 4107 bus coach order, 1967 — Pioneer promotion of the first GM PD4107 coach order, 1967

The first tranche of 15 PD-4107s delivered to Ansett Pioneer in 1967 were branded as GM, but in early 1968 the brand was changed by General Motors to GMC and the second two 1968 tranches of PD-4107s delivered to Ansett Pioneer were now branded as GMC.

1966 General Motors PD 4107 bus brochure cover — 1966 GM PD 4107 brochure cover

By 1968, 40-foot coaches in North America had widespread availability from GM, MCI, Eagle and Prevost. R.M. Ansett saw the advantages of carrying more passengers and freight with the extra 5 feet in length. Ansett Pioneer had already begun researching the General Motors’ GMC PD-4903, a 40-foot version of the PD-4107 that would complement its existing GM fleet.

Page from 1966 GM PD-4107 brochure. — 1966 GM PD 4107 brochure page

Page from 1966 GM PD-4107 brochure. Interior illustration. — 1966 GM PD 4107 brochure page

After 4 years of submissions and lobbying government agencies federally and in each mainland state on the introduction of 40-ft coaches in Australia, Ansett Pioneer was eventually able to have the rules amended to allow 40-foot coach operation… but alas, the General Motors’ GMC PD-4903 did not comply to Australia’s design rules with regard to overhang, wheelbase and turning circle.

The 1968 GMC PD-4107s became the last General Motors coaches to operate in Australia.

Pioneer Express timetable from 1972 featuring GM PD 4107 bus. Pioneer Express promotional material, circa late 1960s featuring GM PD 4106 and GM PD 4107 buses. — Left: Pioneer Express timetable from 1972. Right: Pioneer Express promotional material, circa late 1960s.

Ansett Pioneer’s 1968 proposal to government agencies included the importation of up to 50 new 40-ft MCI coaches for mainline east coast routes and second-hand ex-Greyhound 1954-56 GM PD-4501 Scenicruisers for outback east-west cross-country routes. It transpired that no GM PD-4501 Scenicruisers were ever imported.

Ansett Pioneer would in 1972 welcome Australia’s first 3 axle 40-foot coach…the MCI MC-7.
The first 10 MC-7s were followed by 29 MC-8s and 15 MC-9s.