Chuck Most

Like the '75 I just posted, this one still needs some work, but it'll look good on the shelf for now. Basics- converted grille to '78 Custom with round headlights, dechromed the cab, added parts from a Monogram Ford Dually (mirrors, wheels, etc.), a Spaulding service body, and an SMBC 351 Cleveland- I still need to do some underhood work and decide what exhaust I want to use, but overall I'm pretty pleased at how it came out.

Just wrapped this one up today- the Super Stones reissue with a VCG Resins grille. I still need to put in an engine, just not sure if I want to use the kit engine or swap in a 460, but it'll look good on the shelf just as it is for now.

I might just leave the kit front end- I think it looks better anyway. On the other hand it would be a cool challenge to build it with the set back axle front end like the toter home. Maybe get two kits and try both?

Could I make a business case for a model, without ending up curled up in a ball and sobbing afterward? Let's find out- Here is one that I've wanted to see for a long time, and keep in mind I'm not even a General Motors fan... How about a '67/'68 Chevrolet C-10 short bed pickup? One kit could provide the option of building either model year (there were a few minor differences). One version could be totally stone stock, perhaps with the option of a lowered suspension, custom wheels and engine parts, and things like that. Later versions could yield different versions of the truck- one could be a small-block 3-speed with the Fleetside bed and a base model interior, then later they could do, say, a big-block automatic Sportside with the better trim level. Either of those versions could be made into a four-wheel-drive version, or maybe even a bagged, modern style custom truck. If they really wanted to get kinky, they could make it so that they could do a GMC version somwhere along the way. Think sort of along the lines of what Revell did with their '69 Nova kits. There was already a kit of that body style Nova from AMT, but Revell put out the new '69 version, and managed to spin off a few variants, and I don't doubt they'll do more later on. The same thing could be done with this proposed C-10 tooling. For that matter, a '69-'72 GM pickup could be done from the '67/8 tooling as well. And of course, modelers would come up with all sorts of other applications for such a kit, no matter how or in what configuration the kit manufacturer produced it. Would such a kit sell well? I think so. Like I said, I'm not even a GM guy but I'd buy a dozen of 'em. I know that 1:1 popularity doesn't always translate into scale model popularity, but I've seen so many people wishing out loud for a '67/8 style GM pickup I'd be stunned if such a kit tanked. Existing kits of "classic" pickups always seem to sell well, and I see tons of them built up in every way from box stock to completely modified, from people of all ages, so I guess I'll say it's a subject worth looking into. Apart from that, there's plenty of room for improvement with existing kits, and a few examples have already been pointed out here. Revell has been doing that for a few years now- adding new building options and parts to several existing kits. Round 2 has gotten into that game as well, and of course Moebius has spun a '56 off of it's '55 Chrysler tooling, and there's no doubt more of that to follow from them. And so far, all of these upgraded reissues have been pretty good sellers.

Just saw the 1:32 snap kit reissue HERE, and thought it might be a good starting point for something like this.

Guess I "need" this kit now, because I remembered seeing this earlier in the year, and I think it might be a good jumping off point-

Uh-oh... Danno's here. Better not paint the tractor highway department orange like I'd originally planned.

Yeah, I know, these are "just" snap kits, but I don't care- they look really good when built, and they have just as much potential as a 1:24/25 full detail rig kit. I don't have this one yet, but I've been messing around with the Ford AeroMax 120 kit, turning it into a day cab tractor-

Love it!

Both trucks are two wheel drive- the tires on the '78 came from an AMT '91 Chevy C1000 Sportside, with an extra pair stolen from the Phantom Ford van kit. The '75 wheels are from the Revell '77 GMC with snow plow, and I think the tires are from a Revell '49 Mercury.

That's not a sleeper, that's a small apartment!

And then I've got this '75, which other than the wheels and tires and grille will probably be box stock otherwise. Get with VCG Resins if you want that grille. Just using it will make the SCS wheelbase/bed, FE engine, and divorced transfer case correct... just remember to remove the model badging from the cowl and use what AMT provides as the '78's rear bumper on the front instead.

Actually did both, Tom. Raising the windshield opening is the first thing I do when I build this kit anymore.] Mike- I actually did consider doing it as a U-Haul rig, but settled for something more like the city truck my hometown used up until a few years back.

I thought the same thing. Then I got the Super Stones reissue. Then I remembered I had some Accu Pro Ford dually wheels. Then I remembered I had a Spaulding service truck body. Then I remembered I had some Ford Competition Orange paint and, well...

I think somebody did at one time, I don't know how good it was or if it's still available. I've heard there's a new standard long bed conversion for this kit in the works though.

Thanks guys! Yeah, Sam- I've built a few of these, and I've had that some problem on a few of them. Sometimes they'll bind so badly you almost can't tilt the cab, and other times there's no problem at all. I think the bumper/grille mounts a bit too close to the cab, and that's what seems to cause the problem, at least on the ones I've built.

Nice, but not a '59 unless it's undergone a later-model cab swap. A '59 would have had quad headlights and different side badges. The AMT kit is a '71-'74 vintage C-series. Anyway, realistic job on the weathering, and the CAT swap looks like it was meant to be there. Makes me want to get back to work on mine...

I've never seen the truck, but I do have that dog kennel floating around in my spares box.

Question- Think there'd be any interest in a '78 Custom (base model) grille for this thing?

The easiest way to correct those inaccurate (for a '78) details on the AMT kit like the outdated engine, lower rocker trim, and 140" SCS wheelbase? Swap on an earlier grille, like the '73-75 version now available from VCG. Note that this one has been foiled and painted- the part comes to you in raw resin.

I can't post any of my favorite cover songs, because I can't even mention the name of the band on this forum...

A thing to watch out for with the reissue- I have three of the new Super Stones reissue, and not a good windshield between the three. One was short shot, and the other two are warped- it's like the top right corner is dented in. It will still fit into the opening, but the wing vents won't quite touch the posts unless you cut them off and install them separately. Just something to be mindful of!

Welcome back Charlie.

Oh yeah, those are great. I know many of them are just made up, but most of them are still pretty entertaining.