1972 Chevy C10 LWB………stepside?

[Radretireddad]

I was rummaging around in my stash yesterday because I wanted something to fiddle with while I gave the paint on my three current projects some curing time. (Who else’s favorite time is this?)

I pulled out this version of the MPC Chevy C10 that I bought new in the box five decades ago. It was complete except for the RH bedside I lost who knows when. I still hung on to it because I figured I’d do something with it in the future. When Model King reissued the old open road camper parts in a parts pack back in the 90’s, I snapped one up because I immediately knew I already had the perfect truck kit to mount it on as it was originally intended.

Yesterday I started to think about the rarity of the LWB stepside bed and how unlikely a reissue will be. So I decided to spend yesterday afternoon fabricating a replacement bed side out of evergreen stock. Since I still had the RH fender and running board, I only needed to use the LH bedside as a template to cut a new one from sheet stock, some rectangular rod for the outer ribs, and strip for the top ledge.

Happily I’ve now rescued the LWB stepside bed and will be building a truck for it in the future using one of the current Round2 reissues because I still plan on using this kit for the camper. For now I thought I’d mock it up and snap some shots of it as it appears on the original box replete with the old MPC dirt track tires and vintage Motor Wheels that came in the kit. I’d love to duplicate the box version but I’m doubtful a 50 year old decal sheet is going to hold up. What do you guys think? Thanks for looking.

Edit: I’ve decided to build this kit as it appears on the box. I’ll use another Round2 reissue for the camper.

Edit: I replaced two of the photos with updated ones. I corrected the front and rear wheel position in the wheel wells, lowered the front ride height, and fixed an interference issue that wasn’t allowing the bed to sit square on the chassis. I’m going to fill those unsightly gaps in the lower rear cab at the running boards and fabricate a nifty rolled pan and side extensions that’ll really clean up the rear end and eliminate the ugly production rear bumper. I’ll post progress pics periodically. 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 27, 2024 by Radretireddad

[DJMar]

Very cool, but...I don't think you have enough pickup truck models. ?

Seriously though, that's a good save of a neat old kit.

[TopherMcGinnis]

That looks great!

You can have someone reprint the decals for you. I bought an original Bad Man kit and had the decals reprinted. If I can remember later, I'll pull them out and see who did them for you if you like.

[ksnow]

Nice save! Long bed step sides are indeed rare as hen's teeth. It would be awesome if you could get that old decal sheet reprinted.

[Zippi]

Pretty kewl looking build so far.

[Radretireddad]

5 hours ago, TopherMcGinnis said:

That looks great!

You can have someone reprint the decals for you. I bought an original Bad Man kit and had the decals reprinted. If I can remember later, I'll pull them out and see who did them for you if you like.

That would be great! Thank you!

[Radretireddad]

4 hours ago, ksnow said:

Nice save! Long bed step sides are indeed rare as hen's teeth. It would be awesome if you could get that old decal sheet reprinted.

I’m definitely going to try.

[TopherMcGinnis]

It was a glue bomb, but, most of the parts are there. On the envelope you can see the address it came from. I don't have a name. Looks like I better get this one refurbished before these decals go out of date!

[Radretireddad]

4 hours ago, TopherMcGinnis said:

It was a glue bomb, but, most of the parts are there. On the envelope you can see the address it came from. I don't have a name. Looks like I better get this one refurbished before these decals go out of date!

Awesome! Thank you!

[mikemodeler]

That kit was one of the first I built back in the day, wish I still had one. I remember seeing those long bed step side trucks and most of them were 3/4 ton work horses and if I could find a bed like that I would build it as a plumber's or carpenter's work truck.

Nice work on making that side panel, hard to tell it isn't a kit piece.

[James2]

Interesting project. I remember seeing a LWB Stepside in the 70's used as a Ranger's maintenance vehicle at the local B.S.A. camp. Tough looking 3/4ton work horse....

[slusher]

Nice job scratch building the bed side. I wish amt would bring this kit back…

[Can-Con]

Brian, IIRC, MPC decals were printed on full sheets of decal paper back then, if that's so with the sheet you have why not try cutting a corner off the sheet and try it on something? That will tell you if the rest of the sheet is any good. No harm in trying. If they work, great, if not you're not out anything.

I've used decals before as old as that with no problem.

The swoop decals on my OBS pickup is from a kit over 30 years old and there was no problem with them.

 

BTW, we has a long box '70/'72 stepside GMC when I was a kid in the mid '70s. It was in the family for years. ?

[Radretireddad]

2 hours ago, Can-Con said:

Brian, IIRC, MPC decals were printed on full sheets of decal paper back then, if that's so with the sheet you have why not try cutting a corner off the sheet and try it on something? That will tell you if the rest of the sheet is any good. No harm in trying. If they work, great, if not you're not out anything.

I've used decals before as old as that with no problem.

The swoop decals on my OBS pickup is from a kit over 30 years old and there was no problem with them.

 

BTW, we has a long box '70/'72 stepside GMC when I was a kid in the mid '70s. It was in the family for years. ?

The decal film does indeed cover the full sheet so I will try that first. I’ll post pics with the results. Sweet OBS build!

Edited August 28, 2024 by Radretireddad

[Radretireddad]

13 hours ago, mikemodeler said:

That kit was one of the first I built back in the day, wish I still had one. I remember seeing those long bed step side trucks and most of them were 3/4 ton work horses and if I could find a bed like that I would build it as a plumber's or carpenter's work truck.

Nice work on making that side panel, hard to tell it isn't a kit piece.

Thanks Mike!

[Radretireddad]

12 hours ago, slusher said:

Nice job scratch building the bed side. I wish amt would bring this kit back…

Thanks Carl!