1966 Peterbilt Unilite 352 COE

[RoninUtah]

This build is a modification of the Coca-Cola version of AMT's Peterbilt Pacemaker 352 COE; I backdated it to a mid-sixties Unilite 352. Some of you guys have been following my build thread in the WIP section, and now it's done! My thanks to everyone who rode along with me on this ride, your advice and encouragement made this build what it is.

My thanks also to Tim Ahlborn, who generously shared advice on how to approach this build, along with photos of his prototype cab and notes on the differences between the pre-1970 Unllite 352 and the post-1970 Pacemaker, which is the basis of the AMT kit. Tim, as you all know, is not only a master modeler, but the authority on all things Peterbilt. The depth of his knowledge is matched only by his generosity in sharing it, and for that I am very grateful. My gratitude also to Jurgen, who generously shared his design skills to create period-correct details that I could then print in 3D. Details like that make all the difference in the world!

Modifications to the kit are many- 3D printed headlight surrounds and front louver, new lower side skirts, changed luggage doors, added a cutout for the exhaust stack, moved the air intake stack, etc. etc. I added shutters from a 359 kit to the radiator, cut out the grille surround, and added a vinyl screen to show the radiator shutters, as was typical of its day. The interior was changed to accommodate a flat dashboard with 3D printed tach-o-graphs; the wheels are 3D printed as well. The engine is the kit Detroit 318, painted white per Peterbilt spec at the time, and with the exhaust re-routed to accommodate the single stack. The rest of the chassis is box-stock; it came with the Peterbilt "stabiil-aire" rear suspension that first came out in 1965, making this a post '65 and pre '70 model; I arbitrarily decided that it is a '66. I built it as a typical California truck of its time, perhaps owned by an owner-operator or a small fleet that takes good care of their equipment. Typical of west coast trucks of the day are the 5-hole Alcoa aluminum wheels on the steer axle, and 5-hole Budd steel wheels on the drive axles. With that 8V-71 and the 10-speed Roadranger, she's ready to haul!

[Old Buckaroo]

Ron I like it a lot  - I'm glad you kept after it and brought it to the finish line I mean truck stop. Love the outside pics with the trailer. The three center clearance light - That's classy ?

I really enjoy the builds that are backdated.

[Jürgen M.]

Wow, Ron, it looks great! Finished so quickly you managed to give us a feeling of early to mid sixties West Coast trucking!

The grille looks so authentic and I like the wheels! 

All in all you built a beautiful piece of American trucking history!

Thanks for sharing! 

[Rockford]

With the trailer attached it's a real time capsule of a truck. The paint job looks perfect for the era too, well done. It took a lot of work making the little adjustments to backdate the cab. You've got me thinking about a 1/32 scale Unilite 352 now.

[The Brush]

A job well done, Very nice old truck. Your detailing makes it stand out. 

[Biggu]

Ron, this is really cool ….. I know I have commented before on this , but I keep looking at it, over and over ….. I have to say that with your brilliant bumper mod, and looking at the pic of the tractor face on and the fist oic with the trailer, the bumper mod gives the illusion that the tractor is sitting “taller” than box stock, which it isn’t but that illusion makes it look, to me, that the truck is ready for work and ready to pull a heavy load, makes it look like a stout rig ! I guess maybe because the mod exposes the f/a and springs…. Bottom line it is a VERY cool back date and build … I do hope you consider an other back date build as this one was very successful . Hard to take my eyes off this build … 

[RoninUtah]

Thanks, all! Yeah, this goes back to when I was a truck-crazy kid growing up in Northern California in the 60's. Peterbilts were my favorites, and COEs were my favorite Petes. There was just something about them that screamed, 
TRUCK! They were all machine, but still attractive. I always wished I could own one, but I never did, except in 1/25 scale. Thinking back on it now, that's probably just as well.

I did a similar backdate on a White Freightliner a while back, and that turned out well. A couple of shots were in my "Ragtop Trailer" thread on this forum a few months ago. Beyond that, maybe a Kenworth COE? Hmm...

[Jürgen M.]

Go on Ron! Next build! We're all anxious to see what's next! 

[Jim B]

Beautiful looking Peterbilt.  Very well done.

[leafsprings]

Always to forward to your vintage tractor trailer builds, they truly capture the golden age of trucking. Excellent work on the backdating to the earlier design, something I could never accomplish. Great choice on paint scheme and wheels, together, they really give this tractor a vintage look.

[PappyD340]

Looks great!

[yh70]

very nice build.

[Gary Chastain]

Very well done, sharp looking build

[DRIPTROIT 71]

I really like how this one turned out! I’ve wanted to build one of these for a while, but I don’t think that I could pull it off like you have. Great work!!

[RoninUtah]

1 hour ago, DRIPTROIT 71 said:

I really like how this one turned out! I’ve wanted to build one of these for a while, but I don’t think that I could pull it off like you have. Great work!!

I say, go for it! You'll probably do a better job than I did!

[Pete68]

As always great pics and a great build. Turned out great. Thanks for sharing.