The Same but “ a little “ Different

[Biggu]

So …… when is a Peterbilt Not a Peterbilt ??? Well, I can actually answer that ……. When it’s a Hayes . My next project is a conversion of sorts. Not a massive amount of body work and rebuilding but rather a mild conversion to what seems to be a rather rare unit.  I checked this forum and as far as I can see this particular ‘conversion’ hasn’t been done as yet. So I don’t think I’m doubling up on a former build. 
 

The basic back story is that the conversion will start with the re-issue of the AMT Peterbilt 352 cabover to which I was actually going to build as Peterbilt 352. As a young boy back in the day nothing would do until I got THE Peterbilt cabover model kit. I pestered my dear old mom until I got one. I did build it although I thought I did a good job on it …… but my skill set wasn’t all that great . Typical kid ….. So this build was going to be in honour of my late mom who out up with her little boy being a pest. In doing a little research, it came to me that I am going to build the kit in her honour BUT why not do something just a little different and somewhat rare, and the real deal was built just a few hundred miles down the road ? 
 

Hayes has a rich history here in British Columbia, mostly in the heavy haul logging operations on Vancouver Island. There are a few misconceptions about the company where it has been assumed that Hayes ‘outsourced’ some of the manufacture. That is not exactly 100% accurate and over time if anyone is interested, I will explain some of Hayes’ history. 
 

But for now this is the kit and the conversion kit I will be using. And a pic or two of the real deals….. I hope not to bore you but I think this is going to be a bit fun. I am not going to use the chrome 10 hole Budds but rather 2 hole Budds and a different set of drive tires. As always comments are welcomed….

[BK9300]

Should be a great looking build!

[Gary Chastain]

Good info, very interesting topic

[Biggu]

Brian and Gary, thanks. I hope it comes out like it is in my head ??. I thought the subject might garner some interest.  Sorry for the lousy pics. It’s my phone. Kind of sucks….

Edited October 12, 2024 by Biggu

[Biggu]

A little bit of a start. As with most of the old AMT kits there is a fair bit of clean up and filing and lots of fit , file , fit , sand , fit ….. well you get the idea ….. a lot of guys don’t like that part but to me that’s modelling. It would be boring if they all just dropped together, shake and bake style. Anyway got the frame done and added a few bolts to the crossmembers for some visual appeal. I also hollowed out the exhaust as when the cab is lifted, I think it will lend a little appeal rather than not having it hollowed out.

[vincen47]

Watching this one. It’ll be a fun build.

[Jürgen M.]

Thanks Jeff for sharing another fascinating build! I'd be happy to hear more about Hayes! 

Meanwhile I'll enjoy another interesting build of yours!

[Biggu]

  On 10/13/2024 at 4:38 AM, Jürgen M. said:

Thanks Jeff for sharing another fascinating build! I'd be happy to hear more about Hayes! 

Meanwhile I'll enjoy another interesting build of yours!

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Thanks Mate. Your input is always welcome. 
Jeff

[Biggu]

So, Hayes trucks started business in 1922 and the original name was Hayes-Anderson Motor Company LTD, and then is 1928 they decided to change the company name to the Hayes Manufacturing Company , Ltd. And in 1969 Mack Trucks bought  a controlling  60 % interest in the Hayes Manufacturing Co. which was based in Vancouver British Columbia, and at that particular time Hayes was the Largest Canadian builder of heavy trucks in Canada.  So, again , in 1971 the Company name was changed once more.... ( hard to keep up with this stuff sometimes ) to Hayes Trucks, Ltd, and that is the year the Clipper 100 Cabover was introduced.

Prior to all this, Hayes were famous for manufacturing fire trucks, highway trucks,  and their awesome off highway trucks mostly used for heavy logging on Vancouver Island and they were the HDX and W-HDX..... these trucks were and still are HUGE units,  and can pack a massive load....see the pic

A fellow by the name of Jack Curcio was hired by Mack Trucks in 1967 and later on was appointed President and managing director of Hayes and with Jack's leadership and foresight, production at Hayes rose from 50 to 500 units in the FIRST YEAR ! So with that more people had to be hired and the production crews went from 80 to almost 500 by 1973. Jack was given a lot of freedom as Pres and Manager and in 1971 the Hayes Clipper 100 Cab Over was introduced and was able to request the use of the F model cabs for the Clipper 100. So, that is why most of the Hayes Clipper cabs were looking like Macks, because Hayes was actually using the Mack F-model cabs........... so when does a Mack not look like a Mack??... when it's a Hayes..... Mack was Gracious enough to give Jack a lot of leeway, and he had expanded sales across Canada and was able to establish Hayes dealerships in the western U.S.A. including Hawaii and Alaska, and also other world markets.... read overseas...

So the first Hayes Clipper 100 Cab over rolled off the assembly line in January 1971 , and a new Hayes production line was operational as of February 16, 1971.  Jack Curico was doing his best to expand Hayes trucks and wanted to be a leader in the production of custom built heavy duty logging trucks, with the possibility of branching off into the oil field operations and of course the over seas markets as well as develop more highway heavy trucks.

as a tid bit, Hayes received an order in  1971 for 26 identical 100 ton logging trucks and along with that 50 -100 ton pups to work off road on the Kemano project in north west British Columbia, and they were going to haul 200 tons of logs PER TRIP !! Now THAT'S heavy haul.  but as a normal  production this, Hayes regulatory built trucks and logging trailers from 20 tons to 60 tons.... just tell them what you want and bring your check book.... money talks !

Jack Curico, had aspirations to make Vancouver B.C. the Truck Capital of Canada, and he sure did a good job trying, but as things go changes once again were in line for Hayes.... in 1974 Mack sold Hayes to a company called Gearmatic , which was actually a subsidiary of 'Paccar" which is Peterbilt and Kenworth, as we all now know.... so............. for 1975 the Hayes Clipper 100 Cab Over now used the Peterbilt 352 Pacemaker Cab instead of the Mack F-model cab,............. BUT sadly that didn't last long as Paccar, closed the doors for the final time on Hayes trucks on September 30 1975. It was most likely a 'Board" decision as Hayes Cab Overs and the other units,  were a direct competitor of Peterbilt and Kenworth ( Kenworth also had a factory near Vancouver B.C. )

So for now, my project is to convert the Pete to a Hayes.... and there are a few differences, so more research is needed.... I hope this is of interest and something a little different......... history is always fun...

Jeff

[Gary Chastain]

Very interesting history. 

[Jürgen M.]

Wow, Jeff, that's a great curriculum of Hayes! Amazing knowledge! Thanks for sharing that!

I like the one with the the Mack cab! Could be an interesting build! I didn't want to build another Mack since I've got five already but that would be a nice way of going around it and still having an F700 cab! 

Edited October 14, 2024 by Jürgen M.

[gotnitro?]

Cool build idea and history to boot ! 

[Biggu]

  On 10/14/2024 at 6:37 AM, Jürgen M. said:

Wow, Jeff, that's a great curriculum of Hayes! Amazing knowledge! Thanks for sharing that!

I like the one with the the Mack cab! Could be an interesting build! I didn't want to build another Mack since I've got five already but that would be a nice way of going around it and still having an F700 cab! 

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Thanks JM. Yeah I think the same thing and I was wondering if it could be done , the only thing that would slow me is the name plate letters that are above the front grille. I suppose a guy could use sliver letters …..????

[Biggu]

  On 10/14/2024 at 7:31 AM, gotnitro? said:

Cool build idea and history to boot ! 

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Thanks Jeff …. I thought a quick history lesson was appropriate mostly because these trucks are not hugely known due to their specialized service, operational location and that they haven’t been on the road for many years and are quite rare even at truck shows. There are quite a number of them here in B.C. But only a few operational and no cab overs that I am aware of …. The operational ones are the conventional cabs in the logging industry mostly….

Jeff

[BK9300]

Will you you have to do any body work during your conversion?

[Biggu]

  On 10/14/2024 at 4:09 PM, BK9300 said:

Will you you have to do any body work during your conversion?

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Nothing really massive, mostly removing the Peterbilt emblems and the grille surround details so that the new pe Hayes grille surround fits correctly. I had to add windshield corner supports. The fuel tanks had different options , some were exactly like the Pete 352 and others had large fuel tanks , so that may take some brain work. But nothing drastic. I’m trying to rework the head light buckets and still need a lot of work yet but another small detail. Also rounding the front corners of the cab just a touch as to my old four Mark 1 eyeballs look a little bit ‘sharp’ so just a little massage to maybe make it a bit different and maybe a little better appeal. Hopefully……..It will be subtle tho …. 

[Biggu]

Headlight buckets need a LOT more work...

[Rockford]

Very good idea, making the conversion. Looking at your previous job it will be a clean looking Job. Twinsticks on YouTube loves Hayes rigs and Mike the Truck Nut on YT, his dad had one doing logging in BC. I'll read the history on the company later. I have family in BC so I always like the connection. 

[Biggu]

  On 10/14/2024 at 5:44 PM, Rockford said:

Very good idea, making the conversion. Looking at your previous job it will be a clean looking Job. Twinsticks on YouTube loves Hayes rigs and Mike the Truck Nut on YT, his dad had one doing logging in BC. I'll read the history on the company later. I have family in BC so I always like the connection. 

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Oh now thats a cool connection. I will have to try and find the you tube channel. Thanks for that bit of info. I’n always on the look out for good material. Thanks. 
 

Jeff

[Biggu]

Ok ……. Take me out back behind the out house and slap me ……….. I see what goes on here with the paint thing….. most if not all of you guys do the primer deal on your builds and find all sorts of little details that need attention after a splash of primer and then also can show a pretty good job. I have a confession …… I have never used primer ….. ever….. and I have had some success with paint jobs although NOTHING like the caliber I see here on a regular basis. On a recent trip to Vancouver Island I stopped at a couple really good hobby shops and picked up some Tamiya grey and white primer….. so I thought I would give it a go, did some cleanup on “Pete Hayes” and gave him a shot. That primer is really nice to work with. And after this long winded explanation , the cab doesn’t look too bad under a splash …..still one or two little details to be addressed but over all for a first effort I’m fairly pleased. 

[Gary Chastain]

Looking good, sometimes I have to primer several times, each time working out an issue then do it again. 

[Biggu]

  On 10/14/2024 at 8:30 PM, Gary Chastain said:

Looking good, sometimes I have to primer several times, each time working out an issue then do it again. 

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Thanks Gary. That may very well be the case here but so far I’m pleasantly surprised how well this looks………so far. I will leave it for a bit and then I’m sure I will see all sorts of flaws but this is not going ro be a show truck bit a working truck, so a blemish or two would be authentic. Thanks for the tip. 

[Biggu]

  On 10/14/2024 at 8:30 PM, Gary Chastain said:

Looking good, sometimes I have to primer several times, each time working out an issue then do it again. 

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You were right... I found that I had to plug some pre-drilled holes for the air horns, so that they can be moved forward when install time comes... so plugged the holes and then had to do a little filling, then sand smooth.......... one issue dealt with... I'm sure I will find more...

[Jürgen M.]

That looks really good Jeff! Seems the cab is of good quality!

I remember building my Pacemaker. It had quite a few "disturbances" in the cab surface and other parts! 

Keep going, it's going to be a great build!

[RoninUtah]

What a great subject! That’s a fascinating history, and you’re going to have a unique model when it’s done. It’s off to a great start, looking forward to seeing your progress… I’m about to start another Pete 352 build myself!