Chuck Most

Yep, they're aftermarket or modified Type 4 caps. Not at all uncommon. I'm not surprised finding a simple base model factory photo was difficult to find- Ford wanted you to buy the high-trim, high-option model. I think all the photos of base 4x4s in "Ford Trucks Since 1905" show them with full wheel covers or no wheel coverings at all, but I'll have to check. But- the picture proves that Type 4 hubcaps with the cutout do exist in real life, and thus are 100% correct unless you want to build the truck as "showroom". They look good that way and I don't blame you for wanting to use them. Wasn't going to say anything about the battery, but somebody mentioned it ... I can live with that. I wouldn't want a '70-vintage battery in 2017, and I'm not the kind of guy who'd shell out the money for a reproduction battery. I'm guessing the guy who's truck Moebius used for reference felt the same way. I think most people would be OK slapping an Autolite decal on the kit battery and calling it good. I'm guessing the aftermarket guys who cater to '60's drag subjects might have something more appropriate for a period-style battery, or you could rework what's there.

Love it! I'd have to echo that my only gripe would be with the pavement-friendly tires, but as has been pointed out, many alternatives are available. Although going by factory photos, tires like what Moebius uses seemed to have been the standard, with all-terrains being an option. Love the color you chose for it, combined with the subtle dechroming! Gives the truck a classy look but isn't "in your face". We all know the story on the hubcaps Moebius used so I won't go over all of that again, but I'll add this. The "Type 4" hubcaps were never offered from the factory with a cutout for the 4WD hubs. 4x4s ordered with these hubcaps came with the caps on the rear wheels only. But many people did (and do) cut out the centers of these caps for hub clearance, and I want to say that there was an aftermarket knock-off version that was sold with an open center to clear a 4WD hub, but such a cap was never factory issue. So... it wouldn't be factory-stock if you're hung up on that, but it wouldn't be unrealistic either.

Always had mixed feelings about this kit, but your rendition is looking pretty good so far. I don't think I've ever seen anybody do this one in white. Forgot that AMT used the '92-style non-airbag steering wheel for about a year too long- I think they finally updated it with the '95 long bed F-150 annual kit.

Not a convertible guy myself, but I have to totally agree with you on this one.

Thanks guys! I just hope it won't take five years to get the Corvair-powered one done...

Thanks guys! The finish was obtained with the good old salt technique and some sanding. I also used the end of a toothpick to add some random scratches. The "smudge" on the driver's side door is just that- a smudge from my thumb left there from me gently nudging the cab back onto the paint stand... I liked how it looked so I didn't fix it.

I'll have to see if I can get a pic of the defect I'm talking about- it seems fairly common to this kit. The only flaw I can think of is that the most recent reissue is mislabeled- The 1995 reissue (2wd drive with aftermarket Flareside bed) is labeled as a '77 on the instruction sheet, but the grille-mounted turn signals date it to '78 or later. About the bed on this version and the Bush Baby.... yes, it technically isn't factory, but neither was the Styleside (wide) bed. The Courier was shipped to the US without a bed, and a bed built in the US by Sheller-Globe (if I remember correctly) was installed on the trucks after they'd arrived here. But, several aftermarket firms did offer step side beds for them, and the AMT resembles what appears to be a less-commonly chosen version. Many had fenders that looked like GM units. The trucks were shipped here that way to get around the good old "Chicken Tax", an archaic and idiotic law still in use today. The Subaru Brat had those weird rear-facing seats in the bed for the same purpose. Same story for the 4x4 variant- the Courier was never offered as a 4x4 from the factory, but a number of aftermarket firms would build you one. I'd say it's been more than long enough since this one's been reissued. I'd love to see Round 2 bring it back, preferably with the Styleside bed. Or, maybe throw in the Flareside bed and 4x4 components as options?

It does have the plate, and the stripes are printed on a black background.

I've built/bought about a dozen of these over the years- it seems like the driver's side lower corner of the windshield opening is always short-shot. Not a big deal to fix but something to look out for. It might take a little work to get the bed lined up with the cab, but overall the fit is surprisingly good for a late '70's AMT kit.

Love it.

I bought both of these kits back when the kit was reissued (five years ago or so?), had them both pretty much mocked up within a month... then they both gathered dust until just a few days ago, when they were finished within a few hours of one another. One is done as a rat rod, severely lowered and with a chopped top that was textured by stretching a piece of cloth over the still-tacky primer, followed by a few very thin coats of black. The "spine" was Z'd at the rear to lower the rear of the car, while the front axle was flipped upside-down and backwards to lower the front and push the front tires further forward. There are seats from a Roth Beatnik Bandit II and a chain steering wheel but they're a bit hard to see under the heavily chopped roof. The second one is a post-apocalyptic battle cruiser with a pair of forward guns from a Stuka bomber, a 50 caliber rifle, and dual rear tires for some reason. I may add some dirt and a few doodads to this one later. Both models feature the kit-supplied Beetle engine- I have another one in the works which will be Corvair powered and done as more of a nice, showy car. It, too, was started back when these two were... who knows when it'll get done?

I remember one around here years ago that was a similar color, you couldn't tell it was two-tone until you got up close. Always thought it was a cool look.

Acceptable? Acceptable? Brother, you pole-vaulted well past "acceptable" and ended up somewhere in the neighborhood of "unbelievable".

Body nastiness is dialed in... I strapped an alien on a pogo stick to the passenger's seat... And littered a shelf with a trophy, VW emblem, and some nudie mags...

Looks fantastic!

Been a while, but I've made some progress over the last day or so... The chassis is pretty much done, the Corvair engine is in place, and a bed floor, ladder rack, and front bumper guard have been fabricated. Next major project will be the interior.

But a boy can dream...

This began with the '71 Ranger, I mixed and matched components from the other Moebius kits to get this down to a base model '70. I retained the '71's big block and auto, but the spares box coughed up a transfer case, front axle, and leaf springs. The wheels and tires came from Scenes Unlimited along with the hitch, while the Warn winch is an old KFS piece. For all the bellyaching I hear about warped hoods with this kit, this is only the second one I've gotten with one, and since this was a beater I didn't bother to try and straighten it because I liked the "tweaked" look. There's a CB unit, a dash mounted fan, and a brody knob on the steering wheel, too bad they're nearly impossible to see on the completed pickup. Really less pleased with my mirrors every time I look at them, so I might redo those at some point.

This started out as an AMT 1990 Beretta GTZ promo. A few parts from a Beretta glue kit, a Revell Impala police car, a Revell ASA Thunderbird, and the spares box, along with some stock plastic strip and shapes....

What I want to know is- would any of these kits change hands for millions of dollars, like an authentic Honus Wagner card?

Very nice save! Just don't mention that spring-over lift in certain circles, believe it or not it's kind of a sore point among Jeep guys.

You don't even see that many Oldsmobiles clustered together in Lansing these days. Nice!

Their VW Type 2 (van/pickup) kits are the same way. At one point those were sold with resin interior side panels, but not on the latest reissues. Seems like quite an oversight!

As the owner of a 1:1 Bugeye Impreza, I approve 100%.

Use the kit with the van body if you want to install the race hauler body.