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A Tale of Two California Haulers


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Back in 1969, when AMT came out with the first Peterbilt 359 “California Hauler” kit, I was a truck-crazed 19-year-old kid.  I had been building model cars for a few years back then, so I immediately grabbed a new Pete kit and then sent away for the sleeper cab (it was separate when the kit first came out).  I still have that build; I recently “restored” it by replacing missing cab accessories and mudflaps and such, and I think it still holds up pretty well for a 50-year+ year old build. (geez, I’m old!)  

So, when Round 2 re-released the California Hauler kit not too long ago, I thought I’d build another one, more than a half-century later.  Since the AMT version is a ’67 (with the 2-bar grille) I decided to do it as a ’68-72 version with a 3-bar grille, as if it was a brand-new unit still on the lot in Newark.  I cut out the grille and added nylon grille cloth and cut grill bars out of wire (I need to figure out a better way of straightening those).  Otherwise, it’s a straight-up box build with only a couple of other minor mods.  And yes, the engine is painted white!


So, here is the brand new 1968 Peterbilt 359, by itself and together with its 54-year-old counterpart.  Enjoy!

1381990475_Peterbilt67and68359s-1.thumb.JPG.93acda5a6c6fa9fcd0319ef070cfef8d.JPG107750356_Peterbilt67and68359s-3.thumb.JPG.3939e0722cfac1513e063a526e829b27.JPG

Peterbilt 1968 359-1.JPG

Peterbilt 1968 359-2.JPG

Peterbilt 1968 359-5.JPG

Peterbilt 1968 359-6.JPG

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