SpreadAxle

You're doing a nice job.

Is it the one from Modelltrucks and Parts? If so, I bet it's a nice set if it's anything like the other GMC Astro grille(small) and the KW and freightliner sets.

I have seen a few in pix on Hanks.

That is some fine work you have done.

Pretty cool.

Thanks. I thought that was the case, but I wasn't totally sure.

I found this at the forum on Hanks, and thought I would share it. I copied some of the info the poster had shared. Back in the days when cabovers roamed the earth and conventionals were few, many of the Great Lakes and northeast region steel haulers ran the long nose tractors. Quite often they were daycabs, but those that wanted sleeping accommodations often opted for a Rest Rite. These were made just east of Pittsburgh in Murrysville by the Artman Company, and in later years a few miles further east on US22 in Delmont. They were distinguished by their camper style awning windows, and often had just an unpainted aluminum finish. They were actually early innovators in aftermarket walk-ins, though I believe they were only 48" deep. Back in the early seventies when you ordered a International, White Road Boss or Western Star and Mack they never built their own bunks but relied on afterbunk manufactures like Mercury, also so many of these bunks were dealer installed relying on local bunk manufactures. Dealers would order in daycab units for stock then if a bunk was required to make the sale they would build this into the selling price.

I found this pic and info at the Hanks truck Pix Forum. Built by a company in Brighton, Michigan called Cars & Concept Inc that did custom work and paint on Astros, Generals and Brigadiers. The Astro Custom 105 featured 18" of cab stretch in 16 gu. aluminum, custom four colour stripes, quad rectangle headlights and custom grab rails.

Not a plot I can recall, although I thought I saw all of them until I hit the forums and heard of a few more.

That's really looking good.

Nice job so far, Tim.

I remember when I fisrt started driving I was working for an egg company that had 3 late 80s Mercedes straight trucks. Not the most powerful, but they were good for the neighborhoods in and around Pittsburh. 2 of them had an exhaust brake with switch on the floor close to the seat, kind of like the high beam switch on the older Ford trucks. You pressed it with your heel.

Cool

Curtis, this was originally an Ertl kit. It was molded in yellow plastic. It's the sleeper doors that open.

I think the reason for the shortness of the frame is that it is a version of the frame modified from the old 4270 kit, which had a shorter hood, and no sleeper in the kit. Comparing the 2 kits is how I drew this conclusion.(Can anyone confirm this?) The sleeper boot seems to really push the sleeper back, too. Your ideas for this kit are really cool.

this is a nice, clean build.

Nice work

Re-reading your comments on the trailer, I noticed you used Bare Metal Foil to achieve the finish. That must have been a pain with the rivets, but it looks good.

For stepping out of your comfort zone, you've done an outstanding job. I never saw an aerodynamic firetruck before. It has a nice look to it.

That is some fine work you've done. Nice paintwork. What shade of green did you use? Also, That particular collection on Hank's is my favorite. I love looking at his pix. It's like looking at the entire AMT model truck lineup in action. Great tribute to your grandfather. If he's still around I'm sure he'll be proud. By the way, the pallets are pretty nice, too.

Also, if you're looking for something good to take off chrome, try Westley's Bleche White. It's a whitewall tire soap. Takes off the chrome nicely.

That's ok. I'm not a fast builder either.

Very cool idea with the frame jig.

The round headlights were available into the mid 80s on both cabovers and conventionals from Freightliner. The White name was dropped in 1977. The photoetch you may be thinking of for this kit was available Replicas and Miniatures Co of Maryland. It was a nice set. It was just the Freightliner nameplates, though. I hope they bring those back. I have a set but I can't find them. Now there is a Freightliner photoetch grille available for cabovers from Modelltrucks and Parts in Austria. It, too, is a very nice set. It includes the AMT single bar grille and the 1973 and up 2 bar grille.

Here are mine. My Autocar which was the first build I ever restored. It needed repairs and I completely rebuilt it.Mods are mainly engine detail and air brake plumbing. This Mack is my very first truck I built, 19 years ago. I've restored it after numerous moves and damage. This is an in progress shot. I shortened the bumper and frame due to some damage. Here it is just about done. My GMC Astro. Mods include a cut down cab, working steering, and hydrualic lift cylinders for the cab. I hope all the pix of great builds I've seen in this thread give inspiration.