1960 Chevrolet AMT

[Stingray wes]

I’ve been out of the hobby for a couple years and wasn’t real active on the forums when I was previously in the hobby… but have been a member for several years. 
 

I always enjoy looking at the work you talented folks can do. I plan to be more active with both the hobby and the forum in 2023 and beyond. 
 

i have started my first project since returning and getting my bench all set back up and organized. I’ve not built this kit previously and at first glance it looks decent. Started tonight on the normal fit of the body and prep/flash etc. Ran into some issues with the grill, header and fender fit but spent some time on it and resolved the issues. 
 

I sure did have a good time tonight, and it’s good to be back in this relaxing but challenging hobby!

More to come.

[Tcoat]

I recently completed this kit and ran into a few issues. Not insurmountable but still noteworthy

Couple of points that I ran into:

The frame was badly twisted. I mean really bad! I straightened it as much as I could with hot water but had to clamp the body to get the remaining twist out. This may be just my kit though.

The rear cab panel (part 70) assembles from inside the cab. The instructions are not clear and make it look like it is on the outside and it will go on nicely from the outside but there is no way you will ever get the box on as there is just no clearance. 

Maybe OK with the stock engine but there is not much space between the inner fender liners and you need working space to align the cab body pins so it is much easier to add the engine after the cab is in place.

The mounting pins on the box are brutal to try and line up. Since the box fits right against the cab there is zero wiggle room and the box has to come straight, and I mean STRAIGHT down. I fought with it for an hour and finally ended up cutting two pins off to get it in place. If I had to do it again I would open up the holes in the frame a bit so there is a bit of leeway. 

Other than those it goes together like a breeze.

The engine from the kit, which I am repurposing is a little gem!

 

[Stingray wes]

Thank you for the notes Tony. I’ll be on the lookout and this will definitely help as I progress. Hopefully I get lucky with mine. 
 

I took a look at your build, fantastic finished product! Great work!

[Tcoat]

9 hours ago, Stingray wes said:

Thank you for the notes Tony. I’ll be on the lookout and this will definitely help as I progress. Hopefully I get lucky with mine. 
 

I took a look at your build, fantastic finished product! Great work!

Thanks. It was intended as a quick learning tool for gloss paint and turned out to be one of my very favourite finished products ever.

Pay very close attention when assembling the cab and box to the frame. The holes seem fine when dry fitting the individual sections but become impossible to line up once painted and either the box or cab are in place. 

Here is how nice that engine builds up. All I added were the oil filter, fuel and vacuum lines.

 

[Zippi]

Nice detail work on the engine.  Looking good so far.  I built this kit and the go-cart a while back.  

[NOBLNG]

Welcome back to the hobby Wes. I recently bought this kit so I will follow along.?

[Stingray wes]

I appreciate the info Tony. Got some initial painting done tonight, I see what you are talking about on the cab. Thanks again for the heads up!
 

I’m planning to build this one with a weathered look. Hope to get some good bench time in Saturday. Just hit and miss during the week. 

[Stingray wes]

12 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Welcome back to the hobby Wes. I recently bought this kit so I will follow along.?

Thank you sir. Good to be back. I’m ready to slow down a bit with other hobbies which will allow me time for building. I missed the relaxation of creating and building. 

[Stingray wes]

13 hours ago, Zippi said:

Nice detail work on the engine.  Looking good so far.  I built this kit and the go-cart a while back.  

That engine is great but belongs to Tony and his build. Just getting started on mine. Hope to turn mine out as nice as his! 

[Tcoat]

13 hours ago, Stingray wes said:

That engine is great but belongs to Tony and his build. Just getting started on mine. Hope to turn mine out as nice as his! 

Sorry! My intent was just to show how nice that engine is not confuse people.

[Stingray wes]

I was able to get some bench time in last night and tonight (weather has been warm enough my heater can keep up in the shop) and spent the majority of the time painting the body. 

I then moved on to the weathering. 

Im really happy with how this turned out. This is my first attempt at a weathered look. Still tons of work to do but so far this has been a fun build. 

[slusher]

Very nice weathering! What did you use??

[Stingray wes]

9 hours ago, slusher said:

Very nice weathering! What did you use??

Thank you Carl.
 

I used the two layer approach with a red primer base. Wet sanded where I wanted rust. Also touched it in places with some weathering paint. 

[carrucha]

On 1/16/2023 at 5:59 PM, Tcoat said:

I recently completed this kit and ran into a few issues. Not insurmountable but still noteworthy

Couple of points that I ran into:

The frame was badly twisted. I mean really bad! I straightened it as much as I could with hot water but had to clamp the body to get the remaining twist out. This may be just my kit though.

The rear cab panel (part 70) assembles from inside the cab. The instructions are not clear and make it look like it is on the outside and it will go on nicely from the outside but there is no way you will ever get the box on as there is just no clearance. 

Maybe OK with the stock engine but there is not much space between the inner fender liners and you need working space to align the cab body pins so it is much easier to add the engine after the cab is in place.

The mounting pins on the box are brutal to try and line up. Since the box fits right against the cab there is zero wiggle room and the box has to come straight, and I mean STRAIGHT down. I fought with it for an hour and finally ended up cutting two pins off to get it in place. If I had to do it again I would open up the holes in the frame a bit so there is a bit of leeway. 

Other than those it goes together like a breeze.

The engine from the kit, which I am repurposing is a little gem!

 

You are not the only one with a twisted frame.  Last year I bought this kit and the frame was really badly twisted also.  I straightened as much as I could with hot water.  Clamping the frame very securely to the bed should make it okay.