DRIPTROIT 71

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!

Cool build! Great work!!

x3

Looks great so far!!

Cool project! Interested in seeing more!

Here's a picture of the SD Freightliner suspension that I used on my 7400 White:

You could make it work, but single axles usually had a spring with less leaves and then an overload spring on top of that. You could use the suspension out of the AMT Ford LN 8000 or the AMT SD Freightliner (this one doen't appear to have overloads), which would probably be your easiest choices.

Thanks Warren! A little more progress to show. IMG_1414 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1411 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1413 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1410 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1409 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1408 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1407 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

Very nice!!

Thanks!! I definitely reference every Continental picture that I could find. Thanks for the huge compliment!! Thanks Mike!! Thanks Ken!! Thanks!! I actually used to clean up trucks in my early teens. Inside and out, windows too, and sometimes wax and polish, $5 a truck. Those were the days. I thought that I was a rich man if I cleared $25 on a Saturday.

Excellent examples!! Thanks for posting!

Sharp looking Road Boss!!

That looks Awesome together!! Great work!!

Thanks!! I have the interior bucket done. I modified the AMT kit bucket and seat back to stock as it was all diamond pleated and diamond plate. This barn find is going to need some work. There's a box on the seat with the air cleaner, carb, distrbutor and wires, and starter. There's also a few tools too. There is a brand new valve cover gasket though. Since all of the spark plus are out and there's a can of Marvel Mystery oil in the box I assume that the engine is stuck. Maybe that's why the For Sale sign is in the box. A gauge and the speedometer have been robbed too, at least the cable is still there. IMG_1384 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1385 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1386 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1387 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1389 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1390 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

Wow that looks great!! And a fast build too! Nice work Pat!

Thanks guys! I plan for this to be a simple fun build. I hope it stays that way. Thanks Jim! The wheels came from Ebay. I'm not sure who cast them.

I've already dove into another project. This one is meant to be a fun little experiment project. I intend for it to look like an old barn find. It began life as the old "Orange Blossom Special" AMT kit, with some donor parts from the Revell 41 Chevrolet. IMG_1380 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1382 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1383 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

Looks excellent!!

I could look at this one for hours!