Exhibits
The Iowa 80 Trucking Museum collection was started by Iowa 80 Truckstop founder, Bill Moon. Bill Moon had a passion for trucks and was always looking for a new truck or trucking artifacts to add to his collection. There are now over 100 antique trucks on display in the museum. We also have 304 original petroliana signs and 24 vintage gas pumps.
Featured
Truck of the Month
- This late model GMC Astro was the last of its kind in more ways than one. It was among the last cabover semitrucks manufactured in the United States and was the last Class 8 heavy duty truck marketed by GM (alongside its conventional sibling, the General).
- While it was well-constructed, the Astro was not the sales success GM had hoped for. Cabover designs had fallen out of favor by the 1980s as truck length restrictions were relaxed. Although much shorter and more maneuverable, cabovers were uncomfortable to operate, cramped, more difficult to service, and not as aerodynamic as conventional trucks. Today, you’d be hard-pressed to see a truck like this in active use.
- GM had been trying to break into the heavy truck market for decades. The “crackerbox” style trucks which preceded the Astro were introduced in 1959. The Astro followed ten years later, in 1969. Despite Chevrolet and GMC’s well-established dealer networks, sales were disappointing and the trucks were often unprofitable for dealerships. There’s a reason you don’t see commercial trucks at regular car dealerships anymore!
- In 1987, GM entered a joint venture with Volvo to produce trucks together. As a result, the Astro was abandoned.
- This late model GMC Astro was the last of its kind in more ways than one. It was among the last cabover semitrucks manufactured in the United States and was the last Class 8 heavy duty truck marketed by GM (alongside its conventional sibling, the General).
- While it was well-constructed, the Astro was not the sales success GM had hoped for. Cabover designs had fallen out of favor by the 1980s as truck length restrictions were relaxed. Although much shorter and more maneuverable, cabovers were uncomfortable to operate, cramped, more difficult to service, and not as aerodynamic as conventional trucks. Today, you’d be hard-pressed to see a truck like this in active use.
- GM had been trying to break into the heavy truck market for decades. The “crackerbox” style trucks which preceded the Astro were introduced in 1959. The Astro followed ten years later, in 1969. Despite Chevrolet and GMC’s well-established dealer networks, sales were disappointing and the trucks were often unprofitable for dealerships. There’s a reason you don’t see commercial trucks at regular car dealerships anymore!
- In 1987, GM entered a joint venture with Volvo to produce trucks together. As a result, the Astro was abandoned.
Other Exhibits on Display
- Cummins ISX Engine
- NH-250 Cummins Cutaway
- Knox 5th Wheel and Radiator
- Bill Moon Tribute
- Hall Scott Engine
- Antique Gas Pumps
- Antique Metal Signs
- Vintage Transportation Related Toys
