Dirty Drom

[mackinac359]

Back in 2003 I acquired a collection of model kits and photographs from an estate. In the photographs was this unique looking

377.

The 377 was intriguing enough to merit having a kit assigned to it for a future build. That was in the fall of '03. 5 years later the 377 called to me.. "build me." So I did.

The Able 48" sleeper is a combination of the roof and doors from a Revell of Germany 359 sleeper, and the front/backwalls from the Italeri 378 sleeper.

Since the truck will be dirty, I thought the interior should be as well.

The above view shows the body on the frame ready for the drom box.

Below - under the hood finished.

The engine has had some mild plumbing installed as has the firewall. (Thanks to Kurt McLucas

for the inspiration!)

Not a lot of aftermarket parts on this one, only the decals (eagle, some lettering and the MIA/POW mudflaps from Kit Form Services).

The headache rack, drom box, toolboxes, rear fenders and roof a/c were scratchbuilt.

I modified the 377 side fairings, cutting them at the cab line. I filled in the left exhaust cut out using parts from another side fairing.

The mirrors brackets were fabricated from plastic coated wire and mounted to the cab cowl. All the chrome was dulled with either Testors Dullcoat or painted with Duplicolor Bumper Chrome and slightly rubbed, then covered with Dullcoat. The headache rack was painted with Testors aluminum metalizer and slightly buffed. Bare Metal Foil was used on the door jambs, door releases and some small items.

Additional photos are on the recent builds/in progress page on my site Timstrucks.com

Thanks for looking!

Tim

[Turbo590]

Tim....

One, word...WOW

You need to make more of these..dirty weathered trucks. It turned out so realistic...I really am impressed...

Thank you for the mention on the engine...Your care pack will be sent out shortly...

Kurt McLucas

[monkeyclaw]

Another nice truck from the Michigan Peterbilt factory! Very Nice; great weathering....looks just like the picture...........matt

[buba39]

hey tim nice rebuild u got tallent remind me to show u my twisted toys

[Semi Trailer Mechanic]

What's goin' on...

Tim

Again fantastic job. On the other forums you posted this ... you didn't show the interior. The Newspaper,and especially the Motor Carrier Atlas are perfect! You'll see me do that in the near future as well!!!

This has got to be one of my favorite of all your builds.

[Old Albion]

Tim,

Another great looking truck, made all that more special by it being modelled on a real truck and I must say it does look like the real thing. I like the little details such as the cab items like the map book and other things. Does anyone know of these sort of items being available commercially for us heavy handed moddellers who are not so good with Hocus Pocus compurters?

Merry Christmas Tim and all Truck Modellers

Best Wishes

Dave Bates

[Jim B]

Tim,

Very nice. You really know your way around Peterbilt kits. Sometimes the slicing & dicing you do simply amazes me. The cab iterior details are very nice. Adds a touch of realism.

I did notice that the A/C unit on the 1:1 truck looks like it's on the sleeper, while yours is on the drom box. Would there be a reason why there would be an extra A/C unit on the sleeper (other than to save fuel)? Aren't they usually cooled & heated from the cab?