1/32 1978 GMC General Short Hood Wrecker Truck

[Pete68]

I’ve had this Cab/Hood that I shortened several years ago thought it was about time to get it built or at least start it. This will be base on one of our local Wrecker Trucks in my home town that was owned by a GMC/Oldsmobile dealer who bought it new around 1978. The truck had a 238 Detroit Engine with a fuel squeezer which made it gutless. A local Construction company bought the truck and made it a Dump Truck and got rid of the fuel squeezer. I drove the truck several times when I work there. I’ll be adding Resin Spoke wheels from AITM and the Wreck body is from a old AMT 1/32 Kit. The boom is from a First Gear truck and the rest is the old Monogram GMC General. I hope Revell will re-release this truck sometime soon. 

Edited January 7, 2024 by Pete68

[Rockford]

Wow! What a history for a build. Looking forward to seeing this take shape. 

[Pete68]

36 minutes ago, Rockford said:

Wow! What a history for a build. Looking forward to seeing this take shape. 

Thanks Steve. Hope to get some progress going soon. 

[Pete68]

I got the frame cut an measured for the Wrecker body. I’ll be moving the Fuel tank forward and possibly shorting it. Next is to start working on the cab and stripping the Wrecker body. 

[Scott Eriksen]

Nice! ........I wish AMT would have done the Holmes in 1/25th ,,,,,,not a lot out there in 1/32 parts wise 

[Pete68]

2 hours ago, Scott Eriksen said:

Nice! ........I wish AMT would have done the Holmes in 1/25th ,,,,,,not a lot out there in 1/32 parts wise 

Yes the parts are scarce but there’s some good stuff like Don Mills wheels and his other 1/32 parts. I got a set of his 6 hole wheels the other day. They fit the Monogram tires perfect 

[Pete68]

Being this was in the mix with the others I worked on it a little last night also. I got the frame together and the body is in primer. Next is to clean up the cab and get it primed and painted. 

[Rockford]

Great to see things happening with this again. Nice mix of parts. 

[Biggu]

You are a four star General now ,Lee. Very cool idea and project. A challenge , sometimes to mix and match. This will be very unique ! I’m watching with great interest

[Gary Chastain]

I did not know a short hood GMC existed, what motor will you fit or was offered in the short hood

[Pete68]

1 hour ago, Gary Chastain said:

I did not know a short hood GMC existed, what motor will you fit or was offered in the short hood

Most short hoods had 6V71 238 Detroits or the Triple Nickel Cummins This model kit doesn’t offer a engine. Just the bottom side of one that looks like a Cummins 250 

[Pete68]

4 hours ago, Rockford said:

Great to see things happening with this again. Nice mix of parts. 

Yes I’m glad to get this one in the bench again. Thanks for stopping by. 

[Pete68]

4 hours ago, Biggu said:

You are a four star General now ,Lee. Very cool idea and project. A challenge , sometimes to mix and match. This will be very unique ! I’m watching with great interest

Thanks Jeff. I test fitted and calculate a lot of this build before getting it off the ground so hopefully no problems with the mix match stuff. 

[Pete68]

Last night I shortened the Air cleaner, Painted the body, and prepared the back of the cab for the day cab insert I’m going to attempt to make  

Edited November 22, 2024 by Pete68

[Pete68]

The other day I reached out to Rockford (Steve) and asked if I could use his technique on making a day cab out of the snapper bison/generals. He kindly obliged me and said go ahead. This morning I was looking through my materials  to get the project started I found some styrene my brother Bill gave me many years ago so I thought I would give it a try it doesn’t look the best but I’m happy I got a cab insert. Although I didn’t use Steve’s idea I want to thank him for giving me the permission if I did. 
 

I sanded the ribs off and sanded the excess material around the cab to conform the shape I was looking for. One thing Bill taught me many years  ago always cut enough material to sand down. It’s easier to sand to your mark than to start over if you cut to the exact place. I think next time if I use this method I’ll reinforce below the window with a flat piece of styrene it was getting pretty thin in this area so I had to quit. Enjoy the pics. 

Edited November 23, 2024 by Pete68

[BK9300]

Some delicate surgery going on here - will be quite the conversion overall when you're finished!

Edited November 23, 2024 by BK9300
fat finger typo on cell phone

[Biggu]

I see what you mean, if it were me, I might be inclined to add a sheet for rigidity, and for fudge factor .... this is looking good..... like Brian says, this is quite the conversion..... I like it...

[Rockford]

Great job mate, good to see the surgery working out. 

[Pete68]

8 hours ago, Rockford said:

Great job mate, good to see the surgery working out. 

Yes. Now she has some primer and in recovery. 

[Pete68]

After the primer dried I noticed a few spots needed attention. I thought I would try a trick Bill show me years ago he would spray Primer in a cup and let it set up a bit then paint it on. Well it worked on to paint. While the primer was drying I work on the wrecker body and got a quick mock up. 

[Biggu]

What primer are you using, Lee? Bill’s trick looks like it worked. This sure is coming together smooth and quickly…. The mix and match is working quite well. I really like this …. Keep going

[Jürgen M.]

I can only agree with Jeff! Fine looking build. I've never seen a short hood Bison before. Can't wait to see how it looks when it's finished! Very interesting! 

[Pete68]

9 hours ago, Jürgen M. said:

a short hood Bison before

Thanks Jürgen. This one is a GMC General I know it’s confusing right now with all my builds being Bisons 😂.  Chevy also made one too. I have a Brochure I got at a Chevy Truck dealer back in 1977 where my dad always bought his Big Trucks at. I’ll post some pics of it one day. I plan on making one of those trucks out of the Brochure soon. Thanks for stopping by. 

[Pete68]

10 hours ago, Biggu said:

 

What primer are you using

 

It’s just some Spray Rustolem x2 primer. It’s kinda thick out of the gate but does a great job if you need to do some small filling. I think Tamiya makes a brush on primer filler now not for sure but I can’t see buying that when this is at my disposal. 

[Jürgen M.]

26 minutes ago, Pete68 said:

Thanks Jürgen. This one is a GMC General I know it’s confusing right now with all my builds being Bisons 😂.  Chevy also made one too. I have a Brochure I got at a Chevy Truck dealer back in 1977 where my dad always bought his Big Trucks at. I’ll post some pics of it one day. I plan on making one of those trucks out of the Brochure soon. Thanks for stopping by. 

🙈 Can't tell em apart anyway on first sight.

Nice General! It's a fascinating truck with a rough character!

Was there really absolutely no difference between the Bison and the General except for the badges? 

Don't know such details!