Jim B Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 (edited) Here are a couple of WIP photos of my 1976 GMC Astro/95 in my folder. I've got a long way to go, but I'm pleased with the progress so far. The onlychanges to the kit are a steerable front axle, replaced the spring suspension with the air ride suspension from the GMC General, & I swapped out the spoke wheels for the General's disks. Hope you like it! <img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc290/jmbongiovanni/1976%20GMC%20Astro/02Frame.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc290/jmbongiovanni/1976%20GMC%20Astro/01SuspensionCloseup.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc290/jmbongiovanni/1976%20GMC%20Astro/03Mock-up.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> Edited February 16, 2010 by Jim B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackinac359 Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 Jim Th Astro is off to a nice start. Nice combination of parts swapping with the air ride and wheels. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABC Auto Industry Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 Nice job so far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim B Posted January 16, 2008 Author Share Posted January 16, 2008 Thanks, guys. I had some reservations about adding the air ride suspension with the shortness of the frame, but I think it worked out alright. It doesn't show in the picture, but unfortunately that axles aren't at the same height! Oh, well, take it apart & do it again. As for the colors: semi-gloss white frame (I must be insane!), DD Alpine Green engine, tan & brown interior, & cream & orange cab. Does that say 1970s or what? Groovy, man! Far out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Albion Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 Jim, Good start. I like the look of the Astro, it seems to be a good old work horse. I have been looking out for a Chevy Titan version of the Astro on Ebay. But not much luck yet. I will be interested to see how yours turns out. Good Luck with the rest of the build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim B Posted August 26, 2008 Author Share Posted August 26, 2008 After squandering away most of May, and all of June & July (not to mention February, March & April); I managed to get the frame completed! The stacks are from KFS, and were easier to work with that I figured (yes, I know, they're not totally straight). Next up is the interior & the cab. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyclaw Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 Jim; Looking good! I like all the "extras" you have added....the stacks and steering axle really add alot to the truck... if you want the ULTIMATE 70's look; you should print out some orange and brown plaid decals to do the seats!!! That would really scream '70s......matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim B Posted August 26, 2008 Author Share Posted August 26, 2008 Orange & brown plaid seat covers? Groovy, man! Where can I get some of those? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoneguy Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 Groovy dude! I like it any way you do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ns4ever Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 lookin good! andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpreadAxle Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Looks like you're going right out of the brochure. Looks goos so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Albion Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Jim, Great start to the truck. I like the extras and the paint scheme, unusual but works very well. Look forward to the finished photo's. Best Wishes Dave Bates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim B Posted September 6, 2008 Author Share Posted September 6, 2008 Thanks, guys. It's coming along. Dave, I'm looking forward to the finished photos, too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim B Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share Posted December 31, 2009 (edited) So, who remembers this one? Yes, it's been a LONG time; but I'm finally going to finish this one. This is actually the second truck I started when I got back into truck modeling, but I was intimidated by the paint scheme I picked. Not being one to change direction, it sat on the shelf waiting for me to find the courage to do a multi-color paint scheme. A friend of mine from another group agreed to paint the cab for me. Here is his handy work: This is just a "mock-up", as neither the cab interior, nor the exterior chrome have been added yet; and one of the fuel tanks fell off today. I was hoping to finish this by the end of the year, but it's waited so long, I'll settle for the end of January 2010! Ironically I started this truck in January 2008. Next step: fuel tank, interior, chrome, done! Edited December 31, 2009 by Jim B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brizio Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 Cool paint job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steelgears13 Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 Sweet! I love me some vintage semi trucks! That has the right vibe goin for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Ray Sing Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 My favorite big rigs were the Chevy Titan/GMC Astro. You've done them proud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disabled modeler Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 Hey James!....i love the paint job! ive tried to do stripes like those for the older truck look but ive always ended up with a mess.REALLY NICE!!! MARK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim B Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share Posted December 31, 2009 Thanks for the compliments. It's starting to come together. Funny thng, I've never really been a big COE fan. Remember, I didn't paint the cab. A friend of mine did. All I did was chose the colors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 That's going to be sharp when it's done! Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Johnny Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Lookin' good! All those old cabovers are what I remember. I started out in the 70's driving them! Mostly Internationals and Freightshakers. One Pete 352! The paint scheme is like those I fondly remember on the old trucks that enticed me into the business! Too bad the newer trucks on the road don't tale a leson from the old days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpreadAxle Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Lookin' good Jim. 1975 brochure. Right? Very nice. Your friend did a nice job on the cab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim B Posted January 1, 2010 Author Share Posted January 1, 2010 Thanks, Ray. 1977 brochure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disabled modeler Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Do you guys remember the version of the kit that was turbine powered? kind of weird but i thought it was neat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpreadAxle Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 Thanks, Ray. 1977 brochure. Cool. I may have been thinking of the 1973 brochure truck that appears again in the '74 brochure. It's also white and orange, but a different stripe pattern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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