1976 GMC Astro/95 Done

[Jim B]

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

[mackinac359]

Jim

Th Astro is off to a nice start. Nice combination of parts swapping with the air ride and wheels.

Tim

[ABC Auto Industry]

Nice job so far!

[Jim B]

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!

[Old Albion]

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.

[Jim B]

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!

[monkeyclaw]

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

[Jim B]

Orange & brown plaid seat covers? Groovy, man! Where can I get some of those?

[phoneguy]

Groovy dude! I like it any way you do it.

[ns4ever]

lookin good!

andy

[SpreadAxle]

Looks like you're going right out of the brochure. Looks goos so far.

[Old Albion]

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

[Jim B]

Thanks, guys. It's coming along.

Dave, I'm looking forward to the finished photos, too!

[Jim B]

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

[Brizio]

Cool paint job!

[Steelgears13]

Sweet! I love me some vintage semi trucks! That has the right vibe goin for it!

[Otto Ray Sing]

My favorite big rigs were the Chevy Titan/GMC Astro. You've done them proud.

[disabled modeler]

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

[Jim B]

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.

[Rick]

That's going to be sharp when it's done!

Rick

[Guest Johnny]

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!

[SpreadAxle]

Lookin' good Jim. 1975 brochure. Right? Very nice. Your friend did a nice job on the cab.

[Jim B]

Thanks, Ray. 1977 brochure.

[disabled modeler]

Do you guys remember the version of the kit that was turbine powered? kind of weird but i thought it was neat.

[SpreadAxle]

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.