DRIPTROIT 71

Incredibly clean, excellent attention to detail!! Top notch work!! It looks Great!!

This one is going to be kind of a hot rod, sort of rat rod truck. It begins with a resin cab from KP Conversions, the frame is an old Mack R Model frame that I got off of Ebay already assembled. (Never by a model truck frame that's been assembled!) The rear suspension is air leaf from the snap Peterbilt with air bags that I cast from one of the Ertl kits. The drive axles are from one of the Road Boss type kits. The engine is a 4-71 Detroit that was made by cutting down a Spaulding resin 6-71. IMG_1671 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1672 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1673 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1657 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1658 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1661 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1660 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

Thanks! Thanks!

Thanks! I had to redo it because of the compressor though.

That would be cool, but not this time. I'm fixing to start a thread on it though. It's going to be a 1950 Ford F-8 Big Job Thanks!!! The engine began as a resin 6-71 from Spaulding Trading and Shipping. I cut down the block and Blower, the blower also had to be moved forward. The head, exhaust manifold, oil filter,starter, and valve cover is from the 8v-71. The vent cap is from the 12v-71.

Lee, you read my mind. Take a peak at the power plant for my next project. IMG_1648 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1649 by Brian Smith, on Flickr Stat tuned for more!

WOW!! That looks simply AMAZING!!! Excellent work as always!! Did I mention; WOW!?!

Now that's looking pretty cool!!

Thanks!! My photos are much like my building; "learn as I go," but I do like the lower angle shots better.

More excellent examples!! Thanks for posting!! Keep them coming!!

A lot of scratch building here!! Very nice work!!

Nice build! I like the added Mercury and stacks in the rear!!

Nice looking rig!

Charles, your workmanship is simply amazing!!!

Thanks!! I almost chose to weather it, but I'm glad that I left it clean. Thanks!! I agree. It just like a Detroit should be screaming from it. Thanks Carl!! Thanks!

Thanks!! I used to old trucks sitting around as well, but they all seem to be gone. Thanks Carl! I was a pretty fun build. Thanks Dan!! Thanks! It was an experiment. Thanks! It was also a learning process. Thanks! The sun light helps. Thanks Jim! This one definitely has been sitting a while. Thanks Warren! Looking forward to your Chevrolet! Thanks! The gasket set was definitely an experiment. Thanks Dave! And my wife says that I have no imagination. Thanks!

x2

Very nice build!

Very nice looking Peterbilt!! The mirror brackets are a huge improvement to the kit. Top notch build!! Great work!!

The 37 Chevrolet has been my favorite prewar Chevrolet since I was a kid. I just really like the design of the front end. I have been wanting to do something other than a pulling truck with the Orange Blossom Special kit that I've had for probably twenty years. About a month ago I decided to try to convert it into a road tractor, so I went and dug it out of the basement. I didn't realize that the body had so many issues. I decided to fix what I could and build it as a barn find. The Revell 41 Chevrolet kit was happy to donate a few parts as well. To begin with the fender openings had to be enlarged for the bigger wheels and tires. The windshield was way too small and made the cab look chopped. I decided that if I was going to open up the windshield and make it bigger that I would build it glass open. On the real trucks the front of the side windows are narrower than the rear, but AMT took it to the extreme on this one. I repaired that the best way that I could without major surgery. I extended the rear of the front fenders, and converted the interior bucket back to stock. I also modified the kit running boards to represent stock. One major issued that I didn't see until it was too late is that the cab seems to be angled forward or the grill is too high. Every build that I've seen in hindsight is the same way. I used the kit hood filling in the center and making sides. The wheels and tires are resin from an unknown source. This was meant to be a fun build with a few experiments along the way. IMG_1508 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1521 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1523 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1525 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1528 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1531 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1534 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1532 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1384 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1386 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

I had heard of the "salt technique" from looking at builds from Chuck Most and a few others. I've never seen or read a tutorial on it, I just took a guess on the technique. I sprayed red oxide lacquer primer first and let it dry. I then applied salt to the areas that I wanted rust using moisture to make it stick. I then sprayed it with flat black lacquer for color. I then fogged it with both red oxide and flat black. After it dried I removed the salt with a tooth brush. Some of the more stuck crystals had to be scraped off. I added chalk in some places for more final effect. This whole build was an experiment. It may not be the best technique, but I'm pretty happy with the results.

Wow! That looks AWESOME!!! The Weathering is perfect!!!

Thanks for the comments guys!! I'm calling this one done! I'll post some pictures under glass tonight.

Thanks!! Thanks Chris!! Thanks!! Thanks Jeff!! Your wrecker inspired me to try to build this bed. Thanks!! It's kind of funny. I never liked these trucks when they were on the road commonly. Now they're some of my favorites. Thanks!! KJ at Double Take Replicas makes some pretty nice fans. Thanks Mark! Inline Detroits are my favorites! Thanks Jim!!

Very cool build!! I like the Phillips 66 decals, I worked a a service station for many years and we were a 66 for a long time. Great work!