The GMC Quick Way, as being sold by BAIV last year, seems to be, after historical research, an original prototype from a series of 4 units ever built. So fare as we have been informed this is the only one left worldwide!
The 4 tons Quick Way-Crane was normally installed on the Coleman and the 6-ton trucks as being produced by Brockway, White and Corbitt. However GMC has also built 4 examples with this crane with reduced capacity for testing purposes. In field test the capacity of the GMC chassis proved to be insufficient to accommodate the crane so it never went into production.
This specific example was, after demob by the US Army, finally discovered in Norway in the late seventies in exceptionally deprived state. Detailed history is unknown. The original rolling chassis (with split axles!!) was in such a bad condition that it must be replaced.
There the unit was incomplete and cannibalized Ad Petit, a Dutch collector and owner of a prop rental company AWP Rekwisieten (http://www.awprekwisieten.nl/ ), spent together with his team over 9 months to get it running and functional again! With a lot of expertise, Tender Love and Care he rebuilt the unit back to its former glory. Using many parts he discovered in the past and always kept in stock.
On the weekend of May 26th and 27th it was presented to the public for the first time at the festival Dort in Steam. The original crane engine (international) proved to be fit for purpose!
Ad himself took care for the controls! Ad was a professional crane drive for over 35 years in the Province of Zeeland.
The good corporation between Ad and his team and BAIV resulted in the preservation of a very nice example of living history. Many ‘experts’ who doubt that it was not original proofed to be wrong.
Ad found the written proof and birth certificate of the unit!
