The GP7 was the first EMD road locomotive to use a hood unit design instead of a car-body design. This proved to be more efficient than the car body design as the hood unit cost less to build, was cheaper and easier to maintain, and had much better front and rear visibility for switching.

Still commonly found today on several regionals and shortlines the GP7 is the classic image of the road switcher with its high, short hood and cab set off to one end leaving for a long hood trailing.