Longbox55

You're mixing Wheelbase with Overall Length. The Wheelbase is the same for all models '64-'67. The length difference you have noted is Overall Length bumper to bumper, which is different depending on model.

No MRIs for me. Very, very, very, bad for my Pacemaker. I'm not even supposed to go in the same part of the building that the MRI machine is in, as the field is strong enough to damage the circuits in it.

The chassis and suspension would actually be fairly easy to take care of. You'll need to swap the frame with one from the Revell Syclone, and just leave out the transfer case and front drive axle. The balance of the suspension is the same. While GM and Isuzu did not do the same with the US spec trucks (2wds for both kept the standard coil spring suspension), GM did do just that with the 2wd Suburban and the somewhat rare 2wd Tahoe.

Getting back on track, I test fitted a Revell Bel Air sedan chassis (same as the Black Widow) to the AMT old tool body/interior tub. What I have found is that the frame horns and rear bumper mounts will need trimmed down, as the chassis is a bit long, and if the original AMT interior is used, it will definitely need to be cut down. Otherwise, it looks to line up very nicely under the AMT body. Eyeballing it, the wheelbase looks pretty good (I did not have nay suspension components installed), and the rear wheel wells seem to fit fine. http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk203/Longbox55/100_3224_zpsjdc0jqps.jpg http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk203/Longbox55/100_3225_zpsonhq9iko.jpg http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk203/Longbox55/100_3226_zpseka3ynux.jpg http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk203/Longbox55/100_3227_zpsbxf3qxyp.jpg http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk203/Longbox55/100_3228_zpswara3wxn.jpg

Just checked the dimensions, on the 1:1, there is almost an inch and an eighth difference in width from the front to the back. Here's the dimensions (see page 16) https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/docs/gm-heritage-archive/vehicle-information-kits/Chevrolet/1957-Chevrolet.pdf

Under the bed. The correct stock carrier should be in the kit, or at least it is in the stock version. Since you're going custom, adding the sidemount wouldn't be "wrong", as many of those trucks did get them added when they were customized, especially during the '70s.

I can't really help with a resin source for the fender, but here's the plans for the carrier part of it for the 1:1. http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/images/pdf-1-side mount spare.pdf A note on this, if you're looking to go factory stock, the sidemount was not an option until '53.

That's the nice thing about the Big Block Chevy, unless you're doing a tall deck 366 or 427, plus some of the larger crate engines, the 396-454 are all pretty much the same externally. Personally, as far as the engine itself goes, I find the Revell big blocks from the '67 Chevelle, '69 Camaro Yenko/Balwin-Motion/Convertible, and the '68/69 Corvette to be some of the best overall as far as details go.

The big block really wouldn't be the issue, as there are many kits that have them. The trick would be finding them with the transmission you want. If I'm not mistaken, I'm pretty sure that the AMT '68 El Camino, '70 Monte Carlo, and the '76 Caprice all have the engine/transmission combo you are looking for. If you want to go with a resin transmission, M.A.D. has the TH400 http://www.madmodeling.com/store/ccp0-prodshow/turbo400.html. Kris is a great guy to deal with, and his products are top notch.

I stand corrected, Mark. I thought I remembered reading once that the Datsun used the same chassis. The only one of those MPC flipnose kits I have is the '57, and I have seen the Ford. Same goes for the Revell kits, my experience with them is primarily with the '70s and newer issues.

That is correct about the Revell '57 Nomad and Bel Air hardtop. I have never seen an issue of either kit that didn't include the gasser straight axle. The Revell '53/'54 Sedan and Sedan Delivery (almost always mislabeled on the box as a "panel" ), also have a virtually identical axle, with the wheel mounting being the only difference. You're also correct about the MPC flipnose kit. IIRC, I think the frame in that kit is the same one shared with the '53 Ford pickup flipnose and the Datsun pickup flipnose kits.

Not always. I have pulled agitators out of cans that were metal balls about 3/8" diameter, plus a few that hat metal rods that were about 1/4" around and perhaps 1/2"-3/4' long and rounded at the ends. IIRC, the ones with metal balls were Rustoleum brand, but it's been a long while since I've cut open a spray can.

The kit is badged wrong. It should be badged as a K10, which would be 1/2 ton, both short and long bed. The Stepside bed was the standard bed on all models though 1 ton, with the 6 1/2' bed being 1/2 ton only.

Yup. I have a good friend that works there.

Great tutorial, Jimmy!

That's the only game in town for a Poly engine.

The link isn't working, or at least it isn't for me.

With the earlier 6, someone armed with knowledge of the engines to what the differences were could pull it off. With the later engines, you would almost be better off 100% scratchbuilding it rather than convert the older 6, way too many major changes in the block, including noticeable dimensional differences.

I'm trying to be optimistic that someone will step up and make them an offer, possibly one of the established resin casters that can give the same quality and service.

Cooter actually did have several Chevys from that body style, I think there may have been a GMC as well, but none of them had the tow tuck body like the kit. They were all regular pickups with a tow boom in the bed, although he did have 1 blue 1/2 ton that was a regular truck without a boom. At least one (a brown truck IIRC) was either 3/4 or 1 ton Longhorn truck (133" wheelbase) with the standard 3/4 ton 8' bed on it instead of the 8 1/2' (Fleetside) or 9' (Stepside) bed on it. Those were mostly in early seasons. Later seasons, he primarily had a yellow Ford F-350 tow truck, and I do believe you are correct about him having a ford F-350 in the color scheme of the kit, though it did not have the flag on the roof as the kit depicts.

I only see 2 GM 6 cylinders listed, neither are the 194-250. #GM6 is definitely 216, looks to be a combination of the AMT '37 Chevy engine with parts from the Galaxy Chevys. #CI6 is a 235/261 from the AMT '60 Chevy pickup with the intake from the Galaxy kits and the Fenton headers from the AMT '51 Chevy Fleetline.

I can think of an exception to the whole "clear over decals" debate. Some of the Round 2 kits actually have a matte finish on their decals. If they are not cleared, it is very noticeable. Fortunately, their decals take clears very well, with no issues.

I've been using Bondic for clear parts lately. http://www.bondicusa.com/

After doing a little research on this accident, it seems that the system in this can in fact be set to violate the speed limits. According at least one witness, the Tesla was going at least 25 mph over the posted speed limit for that road (60 MPH), which was the speed she was going (she admitted to speeding herself) when he passed hew about a mile or so before the accident.