1/18 scale Penske Hilton

[ibj40]

Couple of articles for reference:  Penske Team Restores Hauler for Captain's Birthday / Team Penske 1972 International Hauler

I think, by now, you are familiar with my variety of projects to create custom haulers out of different donor sources.  The recent plethora of ACME Ramp Back Haulers has provided an excellent platform, and I have used the bed of the hauler for a number of customs.  I have also had limited access to the Premium Classixx Mercedes Benz Porsche Box truck, and have used it to make a couple of others.

This will be the first time I put the Premium Classixx box behind the ACME hauler cab.

This project is to blend the two into a semi-iconic hauler, created using the source donors I have access to, and requesting a little bit of license from the viewer.

Here are a couple of reference pictures from the articles referenced above.

     

And here are our victims, er donors.

     

And yes, this represents, at retail, close to $400 worth of models.

At issue will be where to make the sacrifices, in terms of what primary chassis to use, which wheels to use, etc.  Plus, whenever I have used the Premium Classixx box chassis, I have had to create a custom driveshaft to complete the drive train.

Here are some pictures of the visualization of the project.







And a couple, post dissection, for closer scrutiny of where to make the major cuts.









I will rely on my good buddy, Lea Rilea to match the paint on the box to the cab, and already got some decals on order which hopefully will give me some good graphics.

Stay Tuned!

[swede70]

Quite an effort.  When diecast enthusiasts want to traverse the country with their respective favorites for view or for participation at select events, they need only call you!

Mike K./Swede70

 

[ibj40]

Dry fit complete, lots of grinding and cutting (and planning).  Spent several hours this afternoon, and calling it a day.



Here's some detailed pictures of where the cuts of the respective chassis' occurred.

This is the back of the ACME chassis, have to cut an extension off the casting for the cab, as well as the molding for the interior.  Unfortunately, messes up the paint on the back of the cab, but that will be hidden with the close fit of the box.



The next step is to cut channels in the ACME plastic floor pan, and then JB Weld the resin chassis of the box in.

[Gramps46]

Another neat project.  I remember the Penske rigs when they came to town at Mid-Ohio.

[ibj40]

And then one of the problems I usually have is, what do you do with the pieces you didn't use?

[ibj40]

Cut the reliefs in the plastic chassis of the cab, and test fit the two chassis pieces together.


Then, I place the cab and box back on their respective chassis' and check for alignment, and then correct that with some shims.



As carefully as possible, I then hold the two chassis' together with masking tape.



Next, I apply a liberal coat of JB Weld, making sure that it penetrates as deeply and thoroughly as possible.



Once it sets up, but while the JB Weld is still a little pliable, I fit the cab and box back to make sure I didn't lose anything in the taping process.



The JB Weld will have over 18 hours to cure (since I had to go to work today), but once I get home, I will remove the cab and box, flip the chassis over, and apply another coat of JB Weld in the inside.

[randyc]

That's gonna be even cooler when finished.  As is, looks like something that someone with proper connections to the teams could really have built.  Or maybe a fictional Sunoco/Martini race car.  

[ibj40]

3 hours ago, randyc said:

That's gonna be even cooler when finished.  As is, looks like something that someone with proper connections to the teams could really have built.  Or maybe a fictional Sunoco/Martini race car.  

Good point, guess I could just stick another Sunoco sticker in the big vacant area at the top back of the box and call it done!

[randyc]

You could.  But it would also be awesome with a proper Penske racer.   Just a fun project to watch all the way around. 

[ibj40]

1 hour ago, randyc said:

You could.  But it would also be awesome with a proper Penske racer.   Just a fun project to watch all the way around. 

Yup, that's what I've got in mind.  Going off to my painter next week (he's the same guy who painted the Petty Belvedere).  Got some Penske/Sunoco decals as well.

Once we get done, I'm thinking it's going to look nice.

[kilrathy10]

I do like the concept, Man.... Definitely something I'd like to do one day... 1/18 scale, Wow.... This baby's gonna look GOOD.... I like it....

I, also, like looking at your projects... You're giving me all sorts of ideas to do in 1/24 scale... ?

[ibj40]

Got it back from my painter yesterday, put it together, and posted it up with the donor ramp truck.

If I may say so, not bad!

[swede70]

They look really nice together.  Thanks for sharing and hoping retirement is agreeing with you.  Be and remain safe!

Mike K./Swede70

[Gramps46]

Very nice combo.

[Sam I Am]

28 minutes ago, Gramps46 said:

Very nice combo.

What he said!!

[randyc]

Very nice.  If you ever can't find petroleum brand artwork,  I have most of the major US brands in my PC.  Might can help.  Just ask.

[ibj40]

Cleaning up some details.

Built a custom driveshaft.  Used the couplings from the box donor, and connected them with some brass tubing.



The ramp truck chassis has dual exhausts, the box truck chassis had a single, so needed to join them together.

Drilled a couple of pilot holes into the ends of the duals, and added a couple of steel pins.


Got some bendable aluminum tubing and connected the dots.

 

Got a couple more details to work out before I create a diorama.