Chevy Step-side Pickup Restoration in progress

[disconovaman]

I promised I'd start a thread on my 1970 chevy long bed restoration. So here it is. I bought this a few years ago and I always wanted to build it as box art. So with the help of a loyal member on here, I obtained the decals for this 70's custom paint scheme. And I began the restoration last month.

This was a build up I'm guessing from the mid seventies. At first glance it appeared to be a clean build and easy restoration... l was wrong. The builder was not easy on the gluing prosess and from the looks of it got his steps out of order. (He painted it after he put it together). 

If nothing else it's a reminder to go easy on the glue if you are a beginner. Glue is your friend but don't take advantage of him because he can become your worst enemy! Lol!

I managed to get the paint off but will require alot of sanding and smoothing out the glue fingerprints. 

[dieseldawg142]

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Edited May 10, 2018 by dieseldawg142

[disconovaman]

Thanks, that's what I thought too.  I really want the truck to be recognized that's why I'm so strict about the box art build on this one. When I bought the truck it had the original motorcycle but I built it differently than the box so I bought the current one available to go with the build to match the box too.

 

[disconovaman]

Today was about smoothing the pits and getting all the glue boogers off. With all the parts roughed in  I topped it off with some primer to see how bad it actually is and it's bad.  I'm gonna have way more body work to do than I first thought. Joy. Joy.

On a lighter note the chassis is in good shape. Even though it is a plate chassis I'd like to add as much detail as possible. Any suggestions on how to make a plain chassis look more busy? 

I've desided to put a big block in the truck, the engine isn't shown on the box. The engine with the kit is weird looking. The transmission looks more like a transfer case to me and the engine is tall and narrow. I want to keep it period correct so I'm gonna put the 454 from the 70 chevelle in it.

Also I've been around cars my whole life and I've never seen a real life set of wheels that are on this truck do they even exist? So I'm gonna use another set of wheels  more realistic but simular to the boxart. Thanks for looking and stay tuned, I'm about to roll up my sleeves on this one... 

[mikemodeler]

A better chassis to use that has more detail would be the one from any of the Revell 64-66 Chevy pickups. You would have to lengthen the frame a little bit but easy enough to do.

The engine in that kit is depicted as a small block and swapping in a big block is easy. If you are looking for a big block/automatic combo, I suggest the engine from the 70 Monte Carlo. Those trucks were available with big blocks and the ones that I have seen all had automatic transmissions.

The wheels are actual copies of real wheels and are hard to find today. Not exactly my cup of tea but definitely different.

Had several of those kits in my youth, easy builds but very simple.

[Can-Con]

Like Mike says, those were real wheels. Not 100% accurate but real Motor Wheel Spiders. If you wanted a new set, there's some in the current AMT/MPC '79 TransAm.

 

Yea, it takes a lot of bodywork sometimes to bring those old trucks back to life. 

Here's a before and ,,during, I guess pic of the '68 I've been working on for a while now.

 

Great work so far, love watching a restoration.

[disconovaman]

Thanks guys that's good advice Mike. The truck has a 400 badge on the fenders and the big block fits nicely. I thought about using the blazer frame and extending it but this plate chassis is really the nicest thing about this model so l'm gonna use it.

That 68 has come a long way! that one was definitely worth saving! And that old wheel ad is cool too. Never seen that wheel before may have to get that Trans Am now. Thanks again for the input guys it helps me with the prosess, it really does.

[disconovaman]

I don't know how I've missed these wheels all my life but with a little searching It seems I'm the only one living under a rock for the past 40 years. Although not my style I do have a new found respect for the Spyder wheel. And I think I'm gonna round up a set now for the build. It's been an eye opener for sure.  

309881-500-0.webp

309881-500-0.webp

[disconovaman]

I like to use a thin coat of silver base as a guide coat, it makes it easier to see imperfections when smoothing out the surface on the primer. It helps me see all the low spots and whatever else cant be seen. I want that pure gold to really pop behind the pink lace. Groovy dude! Anyway, just more boring prep work but it's gettin there....

[disconovaman]

I did manage to get this long bed stepside together too but it was heavily guled and I was afraid I distorted the original fit while removing the old glue. So it didn't go together as well as new unmolested plastic but oh well I'm moving on anyway... this bed is pretty rare these days it seems, does anyone know if the longbed step was ever offered in any other boxart or different kits?

[disconovaman]

The Steering wheel is glued firmly to the dash but is not in the right position. I was able to get the black paint off it but the wheel will not budge... so I've decided to pay tribute to the original builder by leaving it where it is. I'll detail around it...

 

 

Edited January 12, 2017 by disconovaman

[disconovaman]

I wanted to see how well this gold would match so I painted the tailgate and Wow it's really close! I'm getting excited about seeing paint on the rest now... more later...

 

 

Edited January 12, 2017 by disconovaman

[disconovaman]

As far as I can tell the only other kit offered with this bed was the "Heavy Pedal" Chevy pick up. I did some digging here on the forums and found this.

Any way, I managed to get some gold on the truck. It covered really well and has the result I was hoping for givien the circumstances. It looks alot better than the brush painted glue bomb it was... next up...boxart decals.

[John Pol]

Would be nice if they would bring out this kit again

[disconovaman]

Man I was just thinking that same thing! Blue windows and add three color choices for the lace decals!  That would be cool... blue, purple, or maybe green... then you could change the body color to suit the decals that would be nice... l'd buy it!

[Can-Con]

Not sure they could reissue it, I think the chassis and some other parts are under the last version of the '72 longbox.

, , BUT if they did reissue it I'd hope they'd correct those rear fenders,

 

BTW, the blue custom "Rolling Thunder" uses the same bed but they added that funky sleeper over it.

[disconovaman]

Maybe a new tool would be better since there is more awareness about the measuring and proportion prosess these days. Kit designers have a better understanding of what is scale. With the advancements now, companies have come a long way. I think when a kit is reissued... for me, It's more of a nostalgia based feeling.

I wished the rear fenders were longer in the front too.and the steps were shorter but then agian if it was retooled it probably wouldn't be a long bed either because they're not that popular.

[dieseldawg142]

....

Edited May 10, 2018 by dieseldawg142

[disconovaman]

count me in for a re-issue too!

the body came out very sweet Anthony! nice save

Thanks alot.... I hope the hard work pays off.  I went to my parts guy's house and he hooked me up with some nessasary parts to make the build as nice as I can with new and more correct parts.

 

I took Mike's advice on using the Monte Carlo big block with the 400 turbo transmission. I have a 64 frame I'm considering stretching out too not sure if I'm going that route yet though I dont want to change too much as I feel it will take away from the integrity of the kit.

Other parts include brand new Spyder wheels,  Complete new interior, and details for the enginebay. We are working on a design to scratchbuild a motorcycle rack as well. I'm excited for my new parts and gearing up for what is next.

[disconovaman]

Here is a pic with some slots on it and the parts I scored...

[Ron Hamilton]

I have one of those to rebuild. I have not ,made up my mind on where to go with this one, but  yours looks pretty good. I took one of the AMT '72's and shortened the fleetside bed to make a 6 1/2 foot bed truck. I have to repaint it, as the Testors' white enamel I used at the time did not go on as smooth on the center as it did on the roof.

[disconovaman]

Ron, I think these trucks look the best with two tone paint... white top and white middle. I'd say Start a thread here and get started on it . No feeling like restoring you own build up. I get so much inspiration from the guys on here. I was at my friend's house yesterday and  he has a Cheyenne junkyard of various build ups as well as new parts and I was thinking how I like to take the lot and restore all of them. 

[Tom Geiger]

Regarding the steering wheel..  I run into wheels fused permanently in place all the time.  Cut it off close to the dash.  Drill a small hole in each end, and cut a short length of wire from a straight pin.  Now you can mount it securely in the straight position.

Also- while the wheel and stalk are off the car, use the same straight pin and drill holes in the stalk for the directional and shifter levers.  One more detail!

 

[disconovaman]

Wow! It's been almost 3 years since I worked on this! I'm kinda disappointed in myself. I'm gonna try to bring this build back from the dead next round for the BOYD builds. Let's see if I can get it finished.

[Sam I Am]

I remember building this as a kid. I think I still have the decals also. lol

Looking forward to seeing yours finished up.