My Autocar/Holmes 750 Single Axle Wrecker

[GLMFAA1]

Thank you for your service to the Country, Nice work on the Holmes. Years ago Phil Jensen did a 'how to' using parts from the AMT wrecker. I built mine years ago. Have you looked for a broken First Gear that might have been useful?

greg

[Scott Eriksen]

14 minutes ago, GLMFAA1 said:

Thank you for your service to the Country, Nice work on the Holmes. Years ago Phil Jensen did a 'how to' using parts from the AMT wrecker. I built mine years ago. Have you looked for a broken First Gear that might have been useful?

greg

Thanks Greg! When I first came up with the plan to build the single axle/Holmes/Autocar ,,I searched all over for wrecker stuff,,,plenty of the 1/43 AMT kits,,some diecast...and that funky AMT single boom thing.I printed out that build of the Holmes from that old issue with the idea I would have to scratchbuild the whole thing .I eventually found this on Shapeways which wasn't too bad,,,could have been better if the mast had been printed in separate pieces (separate frame,separate winch drums,gearbox etc)

Edited January 17, 2024 by Scott Eriksen

[Scott Eriksen]

..............nailed the body and mast to the frame,installed pto shaft/jackshaft and drive chain, ran the cables to the towbar,(I may do something different here,fab a new one possibly).Painted the top rails of the bed with chrome pen.Installed Signal Stat markers with guard and reflectors on rear corners,made and installed winch control handles.Today mount the front fenders and do-dads on the cab.Snow again tomorrow ......... I'm glad I put baseboard heat in the basement 35 years ago ?

[Scott Eriksen]

...................fenders mounted ,luberfiner and power steering reservoir mounted and hoses run,steps on drivers side mounted.Have to dig thru parts and see if I have a narrow battery box .Have to do something with the mirrors,the kits mirror arms are WAY big. I remember my Dad's Fleetstar/Holmes had the IH battery box mounted between the mast and front bed wall on the deck . I have a picture of that wrecker somewhere , Johnny's Garage in Clifton,NJ was a Holmes dealer ,they mounted the Holmes on the 2010A Fleetstar Dad bought from IH in Newark,,,,this was in 1970

Edited January 19, 2024 by Scott Eriksen

[Gary Chastain]

Good progress

[Scott Eriksen]

................fenders/bumper/radiator guard/tank steps on ,,,cobbling up a better set of mirror bracket arms ,,,I can use the kit's brackets for upper and lower control arms on an old Chebbie or something ?

[Scott Eriksen]

..............almost,,,,,,, have to finish up the battery box ,,shoot the air horns and cab markers Alclad , maybe make Scotch Blocks and drill the chain slots ,a few more small decals/truck # and clean up . Shackles for towbar if the ones from CTM will fit

[Scott Eriksen]

I might make some convex mirrors also

[Scott Eriksen]

..........and another HOLMES 750 placard for the front of the boom 

[Scott Eriksen]

...........battery box done,cab markers and air horns,cab grab handles  

[GLMFAA1]

Nice looking project, Did you ever consider yellow and red rims instead of the gray and red?

greg

[Scott Eriksen]

49 minutes ago, GLMFAA1 said:

Nice looking project, Did you ever consider yellow and red rims instead of the gray and red?

greg

Thanks Greg,,,kept it as much as possible as the real truck,,,the trucks he had with spoke wheels were always red or black with dove gray or white rims

[Scott Eriksen]

Calling this one done boys,,, added spot mirrors,2-way antenna, air dryer, hook up chains . While I ponder my next big truck build I'm gonna finish up my 69 R/T that I've had painted for a year now,,I picked that up as a glue bomb ,,will use parts from the re-issue 68 R/T vert and a 69 GTX 

Edited January 23, 2024 by Scott Eriksen

[Firebuilder]

Scott,

Looks great!  Nice and clean work. Being a NJ native  this hits home with me.

Dom