MPC '78 Chevy Stepside , Dec. 4, almost done.

[Can-Con]

Hadn't really planned to do this one next but some things just kinda happen.

I had started this project almost 7 years ago. Got it as a started kit from a friend. It had some stuff painted like the body parts and interior but never assembled. He had cut the hole in the roof for the aftermarket sunroof that was included in the kit though. So, I filled it . Thought I had done a pretty good job of it , nice and smooth. 

Mini-tubbed the box so I could get some fat Pegasus Michelin tires under the back. Cut the bed floor out to make way for some nice oak I happened to have and painted it with some House of Color blue I custom mixed. 

All the body parts, inner fenders, engine, rad wall and firewall all painted and clearcoated. 

The engine was from a Revell '69 Vette. [can't remember where the tranny's from]

 

Then I dropped the cab and the roof repair cracked all around the filled sunroof opening.  

So, I stripped it again and repaired the roof ,,, and that's how it's been for over 6 years now.

 

Was gonna start back on my '68 Chevy fleetside yesterday, which was in the same box as the '78. Had them both out on the table ,, The '78 was ready for paint, the '68 not so much ,, so I painted it instead with the last of my HOK Oriental blue candy basecoat. ,, looked so good I cleared it and will be finishing it up next. 

Pics of the new paint job soon,,,

 

Edited December 4, 2016 by Can-Con

[Can-Con]

Oh, yea, Here's the engine so far,,

 

[Can-Con]

New paint. Needs another coat of clear or two and polished out but I'm happy with it so far. 

[mikemodeler]

I'm liking this Steve, great resto and that paint is beautiful!

 

[gatorincebu]

 

    Steve, Very nice paint job. I like that color.

 

 

   Be Well

   Gator

[Can-Con]

This is about where I want it. Might bring the back down a touch before everything's set but the box is probably not down as far as it goes yet so it might be about right. Still need to do some tinkering with that box.

[Nova-ss]

Nice,beautiful color,nice fill work on the roof.what engine is that?....Chris 

[Can-Con]

Nice,beautiful color,nice fill work on the roof.what engine is that?....Chris 

Sorry for the late response Chris,, it's from a Revell '69 Vette with the transmission from the parts box.

Edited September 5, 2016 by Can-Con

[Can-Con]

Got the chassis pretty well sorted out. Front suspension's glued in and everything's set up how I want it. With all the modifications , I'd say the truck will be dropped somewhere around 10 scale inches in total. 

 

The rear window mounts in from behind to the back of the cab as is usual with these old kits. It just didn't look right to me recessed so far into the opening so I cut it down to fit flush in the opening. 

 

I've roughed in the bed floor to where I want it. It's channelled a couple scale inches up in the bed sides so the bed assembly will sit down over the frame and look to be in the stock position. I also had to take a couple scale inches off the top of the frame rails to pull this off. 

 

[gatorincebu]

 

    Real good looking project thus far. I like your color choice !

 

 

 

      Be Well

      Gator

[Lordmodelbuilder]

Coming along nicely Steve. Love this era of GM trucks.

[Intmd8r]

Looks great!

[kilrathy10]

This thing looks really good....Very nice work on this one.....I like what you did with the rear windshield, as well.....Great idea.....

[slusher]

Gorgeous color. 

[Can-Con]

Drilled out the headlights moulded into the grille and replaced them with a couple of the ones I cast in clear resin.

[oldcarfan]

Loving this so far. I built the Monogram 1/24th version a few months ago and I really like these old trucks!

[Tom Geiger]

headlights look 100% better!

[iamsuperdan]

Technique question for you. How do you paint your grilles? I have a bugger of a time trying to paint grilles and make them look decent.

 

Truck's looking great. Right height is perfect.

[Davewilly]

looks great so far!  The Blue paint is perfect for that truck to!

[Can-Con]

Made a new bed floor from scratch to clear the mini tubs and the channelling of the bed.
Just some sheet plastic with evergreen strips added  ,, faux finish wood and foil on the bed strips.

 

[Intmd8r]

Nicely done!

Keep up the good work

[Modelbuilder Mark]

good looking truck. 

[crazyrichard]

very nice

[Can-Con]

Just some paint and flocking but I did add a column shifter made from a strait pin. It seems to be coming together nicely now.

[Davewilly]

Interior tub looks really good!