White Road Commander
| White Road Commander | |
|---|---|
 1979 model year White Road Commander 2 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | White Motor Company |
| Also called |
|
| Production |
|
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Class 7-8 |
| Body style | Cabover truck |
| Layout | 4x2, 6X4[1] |
The White Road Commander was a series of heavy-duty cab-over trucks built by the White Motor Company from 1972[2] until 1983. After Volvo Trucks's 1980 takeover the Road Commander received a light facelift and continued to be sold as the White High Cabover.
Design
[edit]In 1975 the modernized Road Commander 2 was introduced, with a split wraparound windshield and redesigned cabin using the "tapered" doors seen across the White lineup (many "2" version Autocars, and other classic White-owned Autocar and Western Star trucks sharing the White classic cab). Originally fitted with single round headlights, in the 1980s twin rectangular units also became available.
The Road Commander 2 has a bolted frame made of high tensile steel, while the all-aluminum cabin is hydraulically tilted.[3] This allows access to a wide range of available diesel engines from Cummins, Caterpillar, and other manufacturers. The available range in 1977 was from 190 to 450 hp (142 to 336 kW).[4] An unusual feature for the time was the RC2's pull-out drawer containing all electrical fuses and connections, located inside the cab.[1]
The later White High Cabover was available in WHS ("White High-cab Short"), WHL ("White High-cab Long"), WHE ("Extended") and WHM ("Medium") versions.
After the White nameplate was combined with that of GMC in 1988 the design continued to be built as a White GMC.
Foreign sales
[edit]The RC2 was also sold in many export markets, as such models met all period EEC and ECE regulations.[5] It was sold in several European markets such as Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Western Star
[edit]Western Star had originally been created by White in 1967, specifically to target the west coast trucking markets[6] dominated by west coast makers Peterbilt and Kenworth. After White was purchased by Volvo in 1980, Western Star went its separate way — but the White-built cabovers continued to be available in Canada and in some western states with Western Star badging. The Western Star model never received the diagonal crossbar logo that other Volvo-built White trucks had. The Western Star Cabover also has a riveted on shield beneath the front windshield, helping to alter its appearance.
External links
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Baldwin, Nick (1981), The Observer's Book of Commercial Vehicles (#40), London: Frederick Warne, p. 192, ISBN 0-7232-1619-3
- ^ "Classic Cabovers". Road King. 2011-03-11. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
- ^ Kennett, Pat, ed. (December 1978). "Pulling Power". TRUCK. London: FF Publishing Ltd: 53.
- ^ White Road Commander 2 (brochure), White Trucks, 1977, p. 5, AD 1991 30M 677 BL
- ^ Pulling Power, p. 55
- ^ Baldwin, p. 191