Chuck Most

I wondered what happened to this one. Loving what I'm seeing.

I love it. Reminds me of the old Hobart units with Willys Go Devil powerplants.

Sick and twisted... in all the right ways. I wouldn't change a thing about it.

Long story short, this came about because of the connection between Republic Motor Truck Company of Alma, MI, and ALF. Also, I had an incomplete ALF pumper I wanted to dispose of the fun way. If you want the whole story, check out the link here- http://www.modeltruckbuilder.com/index.php?/blogs/entry/8-the-republic-ctc-series/ Anyway, here's how the unit looked after it's one-year R&D odyssey was complete.

I hatched this idea about five years ago, but never really did much other than think about it until a few months ago. At first, it just looks like a nicely restored Transtar, until you look closer, or open the hood. Then you realize it's riding on a 2010 LoneStar chassis. Sort of like a "Class 8 Restomod", it has the looks of a classic, but you can get service or mechanical parts from any International dealer. Which might come in handy for when that MaxxForce starts giving you fits! Hey, at least the dealer will 1. Have parts for it in stock, and 2. know what the hell a MaxxForce is to begin with. Same can't be said for the V800. Paint is none other than IH Harvester red for the chassis and interior (where you will also find the LoneStar's seats), and Ford Oxford White for the cab and hood. The red stripe decals (and warning labels on the rear frame rails) came from modeltruckin.com, while I took the liberty of making myself the driver with the "Chuck" decal from the AMT White Road Boss. The "Not For Hire" decals are from the Ford race car hauler. I also used a foiled AITM too box to fill in the void under the passenger's side of the plated Mercury sleeper. I don't normally build conventionals with sleepers, but I just had to try that plated Mercury on this one. Glad I did now!

Finished my first Peterbilt earlier this year (or was it last year...?), and I wanted it to have a Paccar sister on the shelf. So, here's my first finished KW. This started out with a Revell snap kit, and a few choice bits from a glue-bomb AMT Watkins KW. The idea here was an early '70's tractor that was upgraded with a Cummins NTC 475 and a newer 8-bag air ride sometime in the '90's. At that time, it was also treated to a fresh coat of Chrysler Intense Blue Pearl and some white stripes. Well, it ain't sometime in the '90's anymore and she's starting to look like she needs another trip to the spa...

Another thing you could do (if just for visual interest if nothing else) could be to paint the transmission a dark gray or cast-iron color. A friend of mine had an FLD120 with a remanufactured trans which was painted a sort of dark bluish gray.

On Peterbilts (possibly other manufacturers) the transmission was painted the chassis color. The engine and trans were installed in the chassis before paint, then the engine would be masked off and everything else painted the chosen color.

Sand the windshield opening and trim any mold lines before installation of the "glass". It's a tight fit, but the plus side is you won't need glue to keep it in place. If you plan to foil or detail paint the trim, I suggest doing so after the windshield is in place.

Thanks!

I'm sure they came from a '90's Revell-o-gram pickup truck kit, but I don't have the foggiest recollection which one. Any help would be appreciated, and thanks in advance!

Don't fret- it's only the second time he's done this as far as I can remember.

I've noticed that too- though I was just weird. Feels good to see someone come right out and mention it.

Looks like I've got some more hunting to do....

That's both the AMT Autocars, right... the tractor and the dump? If so, I can say I have a "complete set of AMT Autocar kits".

Wild indeed!

Basically, this is an old Frank Gortsema transkit, combined with an incomplete '90's AMT Diamond Reo reissue, and several dips into the parts box. It is loosely based on a real one owned by a local salvage yard. It might stand a little touch up in spots, and I'd like to locate (or make) some grease caps for the front wheel centers, but it looks halfway decent on the shelf as-is, all the same.

Mixed feelings about this. Navistar could use the additional volume, but on the other hand, I'm trying to think of any instance where a partnership with GM didn't end up eventually screwing the other party, and I'm coming up with nothing...

Scratch another one off the list...

Is somebody building a Dajiban? It does include the stock full wheel covers.

This is the old Academy kit of the Hyundai Stellar. I lowered it a bit, because if built box-stock the thing sits like a 4x4, left out the electric motor and all its assorted witchcraft, and used Revell Dunlop tires wrapped around AMT Parts Pack wheels.

So very cool!