AMT Peterbilt 359 California Hauler

[1hobby1]

Hi Everyone,

I finally got around to finishing this up. This one took me a while as life sometimes just gets in the way of being able to be at the bench. Anyways, here is my completed AMT Peterbilt 359 California Hauler. I don’t typically build big rigs but wanted to give one a try. This kit definitely came with some fitment challenges. I really should have taken the time to totally build this one up without any paint to really get the fitment perfect, as doing that once everything was painted took a lot of time, and even some repainting. All in all I am happy with the way this one came out and it should look pretty good on the shelf. I finished it in Testors Extreme Lacquer Bronze and cleared with their Extreme Lacquer Clear. The frame was shot with Krylon Gloss Black. This kit did include the sleeper however I opted for the day cab version. The engine was also shot with Krylon Gloss Yellow. Since it was my first build I really wanted to focus on just building it box stock. Thanks for looking and following along with this build. Any comments / advice for future builds are welcome! 
- Steve

[trick my mixer]

This kit can be quite challenging especially if it is your first big rig build.. One thing that I noticed was the the hood ornament lays flat not up and down as it shows in the pictures. In other words the wings on the ornament point right and left so you can put your hand /fingers underneath to tilt hood. Nice color . Nice job overall.

[Jim B]

Great looking Pete. Very well done. AMT rig kits can be quite a challenge. Lots of parts, vague directions, poor fit. Some of them do build out nicely in the end, though. 

[Gary Chastain]

Well done, beautiful rig. 

[slusher]

Excellent looking ? Peterbilt!

[BK9300]

Great build - I like the blacked fuel tank, steps, mud flap hangers and air cleaner - a distinctive look!

[bondo bill]

sharp build

[1hobby1]

19 hours ago, trick my mixer said:

This kit can be quite challenging especially if it is your first big rig build.. One thing that I noticed was the the hood ornament lays flat not up and down as it shows in the pictures. In other words the wings on the ornament point right and left so you can put your hand /fingers underneath to tilt hood. Nice color . Nice job overall.

I agree, it had its challenges and I didn’t plan accordingly for them. Lesson learned! Thank you for mentioning the hood ornament. I think that is something I can go back and fix. Thanks again!

[1hobby1]

15 hours ago, Jim B said:

Great looking Pete. Very well done. AMT rig kits can be quite a challenge. Lots of parts, vague directions, poor fit. Some of them do build out nicely in the end, though. 

Agreed, the directions were vague and the part fit wasn’t ideal on some important parts. 

14 hours ago, Gary Chastain said:

Well done, beautiful rig. 

 

14 hours ago, slusher said:

Excellent looking ? Peterbilt!

 

10 hours ago, BK9300 said:

Great build - I like the blacked fuel tank, steps, mud flap hangers and air cleaner - a distinctive look!

 

8 hours ago, bondo bill said:

sharp build

Thank you all ??

[PappyD340]

Very nice!

[ChrisR]

Very nice!

[Rattlecan Dan]

Great Job! Very realistic looking build!

[DRIPTROIT 71]

I like it! Nice job!

[Pete68]

Great turn out for your first Big Truck model. I like the colors and very good paint job too. Well done I think. 

[Blue Monday]

Fabulous looking day cab. Looks very purposeful.

BM.

[Jürgen M.]

A very handsome truck. I love the color of the cab and the nicely detailled chassis. Makes a black chassis look really fine and far from standard! 👍