Mike77

I built these back from 1999 to about 2004. I built a few and posted a couple of photos online somewhere, and a guy contacted me about buying them. I didn't have a lot of display space but I enjoyed building, so I sold the ones I had already built to him. Then he started asking for certain rigs in certain colors and styles and was willing to pay the right price for them so I built more. Keep in mind this was about 10 years ago, and I hadn't built any since. Recently I started to get the urge to do another Pete wrecker (bigger and better this time), and I started browsing the web for ideas. That's when I came across this guys Flickr pages and saw my old trucks. Sadly as people were commenting on how much they liked them he was taking credit for building them. I know once I sold them to him they became his trucks, but it's still pretty low to take credit for someone elses builds. Anyhow, I'm just in the planning and parts accumulation stages of my next build, and after a decade it'll almost feeling like I'm starting over in the hobby even though I started model building as a kid in the 1970's, mostly Corvettes and big rigs. I just recently discovered these forums and already I've "met" some great people, seen a lot of outstanding models, and gained some valuable info. Are you sorry you asked now?

Here's a 1/8-scale IROC convertible I did several years ago...

Here's a 1/16-scale Kenworth I did almost 15 years ago...

I wonder why they left the text on the box front indicating that the wheels and tanks have the "dull matte aluminum finish."

That's what I suggest too. Custom-made display cases can be pricey, these football cases are perfect. They're $20 and you can use the Hobby Lobby 40% off coupon to get one even cheaper. I displayed a 1/12 Corvette in one once so it'll fit a normal big rig. http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/crystal-clear-display-case-252544/

Awesome collection you have there, great scratchbuilding! I love the variety.

Thanks again for the info and heads-up William, I won a set last night.

Go for it Tom! I never would've even considered doing another 1/16 project if the Monogram Pete had not been reissued, that's what's making it affordable. It's been almost 10 years since I did my last 1/16 big rig, and the aftermarket parts that are available now weren't around back then. I had to scratchbuild all the goodies you see in my 1/16 pics. The chrome plating back then was very costly too which is why I'm glad the plated parts in the reissues are chrome rather than the aluminum finish. That'll cut down on the chrome cost quite a bit.

Go big or go home, do it in 1/16!!!

Very cool, great work!!!

Thanks Matt, I'll check into that. Years ago I had scratchbuilt an Ultra Sleep top but it'd be nice to get one in resin.

Thanks! The original 1/16 kits became more scarce and too expensive so I quit doing customs, but with the reissued Peterbilt (and soon Kenworth) I'm in the planning stages of doing an even bigger wrecker. I don't have any particular affinity for tow trucks, they just seem a little more challenging than a standard road truck. I'll admit I was a little disillusioned when I found out recently that that other guy was taking credit for my customs, but I still want to do another project.

That's awesome, I admire your skill! You captured perfectly what a tough, heavy duty truck should look like.

Thanks! It has a regular kit engine. I usually don't go too crazy on underhood details as no one really ever sees them and if I showed them to anyone they probably wouldn't even know what I was talking about anyway.

Hmmm...it must've been wishful thinking. I guess more scratchbuilding is in order.

Thanks Kenny, much appreciated! Mike

Can someone please tell me the cab height on the Monogram 1/16 Peterbilt/Kenworth? I think it's about 4" but I want to be sure. Thanks in advance!

After waiting decades for the 1/16 truck kits to be reissued I'll take anything I can get!

Does anyone make aftermarket 1/16 Peterbilt sleeper tops and hoods? I vaguely recall seeing them on Ebay in the past, specifically 379 hoods and high-top Ultra Sleeper tops.

The #80 Corvette Grand Sport is a heavily modified Monogram 1/8 1965 Corvette kit. I had to do quite a bit of scratchbuilding on it...

I'm not sure how many big scale builders there are here, but I wanted to show some of the 1/8-scale cars I've done over the past few years...

Excellent work on them! I've made single headlights but I wish someone would resin up some modern ones like yours.

Very nice! Did you scratchbuild the headlights or are they aftermarket?

Thank you very much, that's great news. Now I won't have to spend as much on chrome plating.