BigBad

So does somebody know? It must be at least 50 year old or approaching it quickly. Wouldn't it be nice if somebody would (would have?) highlight(ed) this event with a fully dressed and new W900 model kit? What do you guys think? Such an iconic vehicle should be celebrated in some way and this would be a very nice way to do it. Start the discussion!

Well Matt, I've said it before, I don't drive trucks, I just drool over them. So I might overlook some details like you're pointing out. But the little overshoot that the truck wheels are showing in your pictures turn me off a little. I tried my AMT flatbed on my Italeri Pete and to my eye they didn't look right together. But that's my view, I guess after a while it wouldn't matter anymore. You know our work backgrounds influence how we see things too, You have experience actually driving these trucks so you know a whole lot more than I do, so you have seen a lot of truck and trailer configurations and know that some trailers are actually narrower than others compared to the tractors. And you will be probably pickier on details like air line colors, connector types, engine models in certain trucks and transmission/engine combos. Unfortunately, I don't see as many real trucks up close except on the highway so I can't check them out much for obvious reasons. And yes, your LTL does looks good with that Wilson trailer. I work in an engineering environment and I like to have things line-up, be straight and look in proportion, so when the smallest things show up, my mind says...Fix it! so that's probably the reason why I'm being so picky! It just makes mixing and matching trucks to trailers more difficult for me. I enjoy good work, attention to detail and imagination and I see plenty of all here. You finish this big ol' Ford by the way, Matt, ya hear!

I'm amazed by the precision and the likeness of the models. Everything is there, the wheel details, rearview mirror brackets engine cooling fan, in scale steering wheel... Just WOW!

You did this one? I saw it on the KFS site. Nice and unusual. You put a lot of aluminum equipment on this one. The tanks, wheels, exhaust stack... Everything's there. My question, how did it go for the construction? I bought the Ford CL9000 also from KFS with the same tanks and wheels as you did! So I'm curious. But your White is very nicely executed!

With the White Road Boss, the Western Star, the Diamond Reo just remember to install the hood before the cab. That way you can adjust the fit between both by fidling with the cab mounts, you can't fit them together properly the other way around even if the kit instructions tells you to do so. It's just about the same rule of tumb for most other conventional (with hood, bonnet??...) truck kits.

Will you look at the plumbing on this thing! It hurts just to think you have to "mess it up" with rust and dirt!! You sir have a lot of guts to do this! Great work.

I should take some pictures over the week-end. Keep you posted.

These ARE truck models and very impressive at that!! I love that D11 bulldozer!

Yeah! I was wondering what happened to this one!

Alright, where we at with this beast? I'm working on the Kenworth counterpart and following the steps! The suspension is even easier to lower on this one! The hood and battery boxes would be difficult to relocate if I lowered the cab on the frame as you did so it stays at the stock level. I took your method for lenghtening the frame. It's starting to look pretty good! I'm deciding on a DD 8V71 from the Titan or an 8V92 from the General now to replace the Cat. I broke a rear axle while working on the suspension so I got the rear wheels and metal axles from an AMT Freightliner. I'm not highjacking your post! I'll start my own subject when I get pictures for this one!

Well I didn't expect anybody getting interested in this bodystyle at any time! It was so put down at the time it came out. Especially after so many years of succesful designs this one seemed bloated by comparison. But for some reason, they have aged much better than I would have thought. I think all 73-76 Lagunas and the 75 Malibu Classic are the best looking of the bunch. Looked even better in black! With 8 inch wide Corvette rally wheels and dual exhausts!

Hey, go for it! I like that John Deere truck. By the way, are you planning to rebuild that GMC General too???

That's why I mentioned the Turnpiker Peterbilt, Matt. They went a bit too far for some details, while some details were better, but the interest was limited because of that. It's also why I'd like them to reproduce an existing custom rig or two or three so they stay within the real trucks "parameters". so we'd get pretty good new parts and kits. I also agree with you for the available parts out there, there are plenty, Most of them are excellent, I order them all the time and it does get expensive sometimes. Why I'd like for the main model providers to make these models is because they have the means to make prototypes, make new molds, try out new parts on existing kits and keep costs affordable. While I know I can also scratch build a lot of parts such as fenders, bumpers, visors and fuel tanks, I can't make a custom wheel and it's difficult scratching a new suspension. And I, like others don't always feel like scratch building everything I need. On the other hand, I think it would breathe some new life in some old re-issued kits and probably interest a larger audience that just wasn't there for stock trucks. And by the same time interest the same people in the regular production kits. A lot of words here but I believe it could work this time around.

That is a cool and unusual subject! Nice scratch building too. Keep us posted.

And what makes you say that? I see some interested truck builders making comments here. It's not written anywhere that you have to like it and nobody is held to follow this either. But it would be interesting to have some other options to building strictly work trucks. By the way a lot of the customs work during the week too. It only comes down to a matter of taste. And I'm not questioning yours. If you have an FLD in your avatar, obviously you have good taste. I think there are some very interesting custom rigs out there that are worth replicating and most likely some of us have good ideas to make our own. For the record, I have built 4 trucks and 3 trailers in the last 3 years and another Kenworth on the way (not a lot I know) and one very near stock 57 Chevy BelAir. Lets loosen up a bit, we're here to have fun!... Aren't we?

I agree, extra parts are great to have. It's nice to have options. Revell is good at that with their Peterbilt series... AMT did a custom Pete 352 which they called the "Turnpiker" way back. That kit was a little over the top but had some interesting parts in it. Wide Flotation tires, full rear fenders, a huge front bumper and some other goodies. We could even include the Tyrone Malone trucks for that matter. What I'd like to get my hands on is a kit that has parts that are used by real 1:1 custom trucks today. Or could we at least get some custom upgrade packs for some of the more popular models? Revell has whitewall tire and slick packs for cars, there were some engine kits some years back too. Man if Round 2 got to releasing cutomizing packs for their re-released truck kits they'd even have more of a hit on their hands 'cause some people would buy the basic truck kit twice for a stock and a modified with the pack! Why not put the extra parts in the basic kits too? I'd pay for some extra air filters and snorkels, custom sun visors, molded look rear fenders, a fifth wheel cover, new design wheels, lowered suspensions, steerable front axles, texas style bumpers, rear light panels, trailer connector boxes, frame cover panels, moon hub caps, custom grills... Include photoetch stuff too... You name it! But stuff we see today, not 40 years ago. That could be done to update older trucks. It would renew my interest in these kits even more. There is money sitting there. I know I can buy some of that stuff from cottage suppliers like KFS, P&P, AITM and others. Buit those "packs" or full custom kits would also reach other customers than the core truck modelers too. Think about it!

I thought Round 2 would have re-issued the Transtar II before the 4300... I think it still has a chance. If they are releasing the Pete 352 is coming in the next few months, I think some ERTL kits would be worth being put back into production. A Paystar and some S-series too. Speaking of Internationals, from what I have seen, the Moebius Prostar is announced at a couple places such as Tower for mid-November...

No sweat Ben I'll send you another copy of what I need later today.

Ok, not everybody is into custom trucks or cars but it probably would open up the doors to kids a little more too. It would certainly get MY interest! Of course some of these could be based on existing kits, the ubiquitous Kenworths and Peterbilts... Even Moebius could get on that subject pretty easily with both their Lonestar and the upcoming Prostar. There is one pretty famous Prostar that was touring shows not too long ago. The Lonestar just begs to be modded to death! Like this Prostar: I know there are tons of aftermarket parts out there, why not have a readily modded kit or two or 5? A kit based on an existing full on "outlaw" custom truck? Hey! Even that Transformers Peterbilt 379 or that black Decepticon Motormaster Kenny K100 Aerodyne show truck!(relatively easy!) Also, resin casters... custom show disc wheels(notice custom Prostar pic), lowered springs, custom airbag systems? I'm looking for opinions!

I have two other suggestions for re-releases one would be the ERTL Transtar II, still a pretty good kit? And, get this, a warp free GMC General/Chevy Bison. Based on the quality of their kits, I think Round 2 can pull this off. What do you think? I'd love that! Would there be enough demand?

So, I should get mine soon!

I'd say get the AMT Peterbilt 352, but the re-issue from Round2 is not out yet. That must have been the simplest kit I built this side of a snap kit for a truck. The International Transtar 4300 gives very good results with nice features like a steering front axle that is quite simple to set-up and sleeper doors that open. It also gives you the option to make a daycab or a sleepercab. I'd probably get that one first! For the trailer, you have some options, you may want to start with a basic flabed, the easiest to build, or the Fruehauf box trailer or if you are into logging trucks and want to combine 2 kits into one build, the Peerless logging which is simple enough too.

The white kit you are showing is actually for a 74 chevelle as it has the small 'slit' quarter window that was meant for the Malibu Classic and the Laguna. The 73 didn't have that feature yet it had the large window as is being modeled on the master. Second, the blue and the red cars are 75-76 model Lagunas, the sloping front ends and the louvers in the quarter window is what gives them away. The front end options you're seeing on the white car are really a 73 regular malibu, 300, SS style with the chrome bumper and the other one for a Laguna with the 'endura' bumper cover. A 75 or 76 Laguna would be nice to have as well though!!

What he said! This is turning out to be a top notch model!

Nice, subtle detailing of the battery boxes... So these simpler truck kits can be made to be a challenge.