DRIPTROIT 71

Very Cool build! I like the Sleeper!! The engine choice isn't bad either!

Cool plan. Another build that I hoped to build one day, but will probably never get around to. Remember there were a couple of different trucks used in the movie that varied some. There used to be a website that belonged to someone who had purchased and restored an original "Duel" truck as well as an original "Rubber Duck" truck, but that website no longer works. It is a shame because there was a lot of useful information about both trucks on that website. If I'm remembering correctly the "hero truck" (main one that crashed) was a 281, while the truck used in the added scenes like the school bus scene was a 351. The "hero truck" had a horizontal breather from a piece of equipment, while the truck in the added scenes had a vertical one similar to the one in the kit, if I'm not mistaken. Both trucks had butterfly hoods. I'm probably telling you information that you already know, but since you said that you knew little about trucks, I thought that I would share what little information that I know. Hope this helps. I'm looking forward to seeing more of this build. Looking at your "Blue Mule", I'm sure this one will be good.

Nice Build! Great idea on the rear fenders.

Nice Work Terry!! I really like the B Model Mack!! Of course I like the Brockway, Diamond Reo, and the Peterbilts, especially the one with the diamond plate fenders.

Awesome build!!! I really like the 5 holes!!

Spaulding Trading and Shipping sells an R700 hood from time to time. I don't know the quality or how it fits the AMT cab. I hope to get the A.I.T.M. kit myself one day. It looks nice!

No problem, I'm glad to get some info on these engines. Thanks guys.

Thanks man! Thanks to everyone else! You've got me sold on trying an engine from Ken. When I get one I'll post some pics.

Maybe this was only a North Carolina thing, but back in the day many folks bought old beaters that the paint looked like it had been setting behind someone's barn for several years, and it would get a new set of chrome wheels, tires shined, and everything that could still be polished would be polished on it. Parts were replaced such as the hood and steering wheel as they were found (cheap). I had a 66 Plymouth Satellite that was primer grey, the right rear quarter looked like a train hit it, the right door was off of a 67 Belvedere, plenty of surface rust showing, but it had a new set of Ketstone mags, new Goodyear Eagle Sts, and all of the chrome was polished as close to like new as I could get it. That is what this build reminds me of. Nice work!

Thanks Terry! I have never seen one in person. I have seen several things that looked a lot better in person than they did in a photo.

The tires actually measure 1.95" or 49.53mm. There is a caster on Ebay that has had a few 6BT Cummins for sale (I think) along with several Detroit versions named Kens Customs, but the quality in the photos has not looked very good so I have never ordered from them. Other than the scratch built ones on this forum I have not seen any others. I would like to find one or two myself. There are some Powerstrokes out there though.

Thanks John for the encouragement! The engine is from a former caster called "Back Yard Shed". It was the last one that Sourkraut's had. It is listed as a 6v-92, but it has 71 series style valve covers. Auslowe still offers this engine. I have the Auslowe version as well, which is probably a better casting than this one. I am working on a set of valve covers to more closely represent a 92 series engine. I don't know of a caster making a 6BT Cummins. The tires measure 48.75" in 1/25th scale Thanks Sean! This was originally going to be a stock 238hp 6v-71, but like most of my projects, it took a different direction.

Thanks Clayton and Mike!

Awesome build!! Great job on the decals! I couldn't help but notice that the front wheels don't have the AMT ring around the lugs, did you correct the front wheels or did you purchase them form some other source?

Still taking notes. I hope to build one of mine soon. Excellent work as always!!

I had one and sold it unbuilt 11 years ago. Oh well...The cab was the same as the Aerodyne. There was a flat top conversion offered in resin for the Aerodyne kits. Sean, with your building skills, I agree that a good option would be combining two AMT kits. You have already stretched the A model IH cab flawlessly. You may also consider modifying the AMT Aerodyne. The axles and suspension could be robbed from the parts box or sourced from resin. If you wanted the grill guard, you could scratch build it. I would like to have another one of these kits, but I can't pay what they usually sell for on Ebay, but I patrol Ebay on a regular basis in hopes of finding one.

Nice KW

Very nice build!!!! Great work!!!!

Very Cool Build!!!!

This thing is Awesome!!! You have really captured the original.

Looking Great!! The decals and detail work really sets this thing off.

Very Nice Build!!!

Thanks Dave! Got a little paint work done today. Hoping to get back in gear and finish this one.

Just traded with "Dandydan". Very excellent to trade with!! Hope to trade again.

Sharp 359 Peterbilt loaded for Christmas