The Modeling Hermit

This is my current build. I backdated AMTs Ford C cab to the 58-60 era. I should say mostly, as after it was too late to fix things without major work, I discovered a couple of things that didn't show up until 1968, but I'll just live with them. I chose to use and alter the AMT Fruehauf tanker trailer for this one just because I thought it looked impressive. When I get back to it I'll add plumbing for road watering. It already has an interesting past. When I first built started it was going to be a semi tractor, then I decided that it would be a wrecker, then it was going to be a farm grain truck, and that was followed by a local fuel delivery truck, onto end as a road watering truck.

Back in the 70s there was a 56 Ford 2 door hardtop with a continental kit sitting in a farm pasture just east of Albia Iowa. I stopped a couple of times to see if the owner would sell it but he said fe was going to fix it up. I saw it about 10 years later filled with bullit holes and sinking into the ground. In that short lenght of time it was past restoration.

I'd forgot about the 8 track players hanging from the dash and the speakers filling the back window.

Those are some cool rides, but I do think that one feller has been working WAY too long.

I'm building Revell's 1957 Chevy 150 2 door sedan kit. My wife wants me to build it as a street rod, but I'm taking that a few steps farther. I want to build it as a teenager's car from the late 60s. Those of you who were teenagers from that era know what I'm talking about; bumpers and grills removed, fancy mags and tires on an old beater car, and who could forget the junk yard bucket seats-those that when you sat in them you knew why they were in the junk yard in the first place. What I'm needing is photos of your rides or friends rides from that era. I want to make sure that I have all of the equipment period correct for the era. I'll be aiming for the 1967-69 time frame.

This is from the AMT kit with the blue truck on the box. I've made several different daycabs from this kit, but this is the first time that I shortened the chassis and changed to a single rear axle. I started with Phil's book, but then went off on my own, maybe that's why I never did well in school. I never could follow instructions. I cut it to a daycab, shortened the kit fuel tanks, rebuilt the bumper to an early version for this truck, and used the rear axle/suspension from the Ford C cab. I also used the wheels from the Ford L series and altered them to two holes, and then made my own exhaust for it, finishing it with detailing of the cab and chassis. Other than that, it's pretty much straight from the box.

The glamor rigs are what really catch our attention, and are what we dream of driving out on the open road where we can enjoy the views and be "Kings & Queens of the road". Let's face facts. We know the luck most of us would end up with. We'd get a job driving in city traffic with long trailers, while feeling our way through narrow alleys and double parking along busy streets while we hand unload heavy packages all day. That is exactly what this truck was built to represent. I grew up in Iowa and saw many of these types of rigs, and they were very popular in the Eastern part of the United States. It was sad because about the only interest they generated was from impatient drivers. After implementing a couple of minor alterations to the original kit and adding a few details, this is my tribute to those unsung heros of the alleys. Pardon the poor picture quality.

I guess that I should do a final update on this. In mid-May it was delivered to the hospital and they had a presentaion ceremoney for it. It is now being utilized for the purpose that it ws built. I've also been told that it's being used for "in House" teaching and instruction. Thanks to all who offered encouragement and advice. I was quite honored to be placed in the position of an ambassador to the community for our hobby. Naturally right at the end of things, my camera gave out on me so I was relegated to my iphone, thus resulting in lower quality photos.

The only issue I have with it is the log load. I tossed those pieces of plastic into the parts drawer and went out and got some actual wood for the load.

That looks sooooo much easier than the way that I've been doing it. I did mine on the lathe using loose ring tools, which resulted in more frustration than steering wheels. I'll use your meathod from now on. Thanks for sharing.

I built this turntable because I got tired of having to wait for something to dry on one side before I could work on the other. Building it was a simple as going to the hardware store and getting a Lazy Susan mechanism and finding a couple of scrap pieces of lumber from the wood pile in the wood shop. Placement for the mechanism is marked on both pieces of wood and then attached to the under side of the top. Two holes are drilled on the top board for access to screw the mechanism to the bottom board. Using those holes, attach the mechanism to the bottom board. It's as simple as that. I didn't worry about any sanding and finishing that. I'm sure that over time it will get a finish, probably in many pretty colors.

It's looking cool already.

WOW! That is amazing.

One word; perfect.

I also agree about the chassis lettering. It just seems to set a nostalgic mood for the model. Yours looks sharp.

Charlie, sorry it took me so long to get back to you, but I've had these figures for awhile, and couldn't remember except that they came from ebay. I finally found the source. It's ronald6386 on ebay. He has a lot of "common folk" figures. Thanks everybody for the kind words on this one.

That is really cool. I love the front.

Geoff, you should have warned me that it is an amazing site, and to be prepared to spend hours there. It's almost as bad as hank's Truck Pictures. Great informative and fun link. Thanks a lot. This will also help me in correcting some information.

I'm working on a rather comprehensive list of models that the truck model manufacturers made. My desire is to display this list on my website. Except for the actual dates of release, I have most of those offered by AMT, ERTL, IMC, and MPC. My current focus is Revell, Revell of Germany, and Italeri. If you have any information that would benefit my endeavors, please share it. www.kodiak-island-modeler.com Thank you

perfect

So that's what it's suppused to look like when it's built? Mine never did. You've done an excellent job on this model.

Bob, you gave me an idea, so I thought I'd play with it, and do an old type ad. I checked through my collection of auto ads, and came up with this wording.

That is beautiful.

You did a very nice job, and the detail is amazing for such a small scale.

I do love that car and the paint really works on it.