Pete68 Posted February 14 Posted February 14 (edited) I bought this built Ertl International Transtar II model last winter on eBay for a very reasonable price and got an extra cab out of the deal too. The paint and decals on the cab to me look fine so I’m going to leave them alone. I’ll be painting the frame a tan color and reworking the front axle. Probably going to keep the rear wheels don’t know yet but if I do they will be painted white. Hope I can get this Eagle to fly again. It was 30 years ago this week that I bought my Real 1.1 1979 International Transtar Eagle so I thought it would be fit to start this project. Hope you ride along. Edited February 14 by Pete68 4
Rockford Posted February 14 Posted February 14 (edited) How did it feel to climb into the seat of your own, brand new Transtar? Must have been a great feeling. Tell us more of the story as you go through the build, that would be great. I built that kit over 30 years ago with the cab in that exact colour combo. I still remember how good that kit was, especially in comparison to the AMT ones I'd built. Edited February 14 by Rockford 1
Old Buckaroo Posted February 14 Posted February 14 I cant wait to see what you do with this. That is my all time favorite truck model, I use to pay some crazy money for them built and unbuilt before Round 2 reissued them. 1
Pete68 Posted February 14 Author Posted February 14 4 hours ago, Rockford said: brand new Transtar? Steve it wasn’t new but it was pretty. It was a 1979 and this was in 1995. My first big truck I owned besides my antique show trucks. I was 26 years old and sitting in that seat after I bought it in the driveway I felt like I had the world by the tail. I’ll dig up some pics of it and post them and may tell a few stories about the old girl for you as I go along. 1
Pete68 Posted February 14 Author Posted February 14 2 hours ago, Old Buckaroo said: I use to pay some crazy money for them I bet you did back in the day I sold several on eBay for some crazy money too. About the same time I owned my real truck Ertl came out with that limited run of the kit any remember that? I bought several of them and kept them till around 2006-08 and dropped them on eBay making a killing. Now I just have this one with an extra cab/interior and one I bought from Bill which is a flip lid with the airbag suspension. This also was one of my favorite Ertl kits when I built it as a teenager it went together so well and had no issues with tilting the cab and the gear shift hanging up or wouldn’t sit all the way down. Thanks for stopping by.
Rockford Posted February 14 Posted February 14 Oh aye, 30 years ago wasn't 1979 was it!? What an idiot. I promise I'll learn how to count.
Pete68 Posted February 15 Author Posted February 15 2 hours ago, Rockford said: What an idiot. Steve you’re NOT an idiot! I think it’s all that high end scratch building your doing lately is frying your brain 😂. Your counting is spot on sir. 1
Jürgen M. Posted February 15 Posted February 15 I'll be watching what you make of this great kit! I loved building mine! It's really fun! 1
Pete68 Posted February 15 Author Posted February 15 13 hours ago, Jürgen M. said: I'll be watching what you make of this great kit! I loved building mine! It's really fun! Thanks Jürgen they are a fun build
Pete68 Posted February 15 Author Posted February 15 21 minutes ago, Mopar - D said: Going to be an interesting rebuild Lee. Thanks for stopping by Dan.
Scott Eriksen Posted March 3 Posted March 3 Lee,,that was/is a great kit ! From what I understand those molds got lost. I found mine on ebay too ,,,I should have shortened the wheelbase up a tad though .You'll make her sweet ,,,nice project! 3
cifenet Posted March 3 Posted March 3 I think it is definitely different kind of fun when restoring something that was already built long time ago. I find the building experience both fun and difficult because sometimes the required parts are either in a bad shape or even missing... From the photo, looks like most of the parts are usable so that is a good thing. Interest to see how it will turn out! 1
Pete68 Posted March 13 Author Posted March 13 On 3/2/2025 at 7:35 PM, Scott Eriksen said: You'll make her sweet ,,,nice project! Thanks Scott for dropping by. I hope so 1
Pete68 Posted March 13 Author Posted March 13 On 3/2/2025 at 10:19 PM, cifenet said: From the photo, looks like most of the parts are usable so that is a good thing. There is some parts missing like a fuel tank but I have spare parts. I might have to replace the front axle too. Thanks for dropping by
Pete68 Posted Tuesday at 01:30 AM Author Posted Tuesday at 01:30 AM (edited) This weekend I put this one on the bench hoping to get a little more done on it. I found more missing parts for it out of my International parts box. I found a front axle for it but it was in 3 pieces I wish I got a before pics of it but I didn’t. I put the cab on after I painted the frame to get the correct line up of the front axle. I moved it forward like my real 1979 International Transtar Eagle was. Seems like in 1979 International move the axle forward a couple inches and beefed the front end up. Here’s some pics of the updates and a pic of the real truck I owned and ran. You can compare the front axle position of mine compared to pre 1979 ones if you wish. Edited Tuesday at 01:34 AM by Pete68 3
Rockford Posted Tuesday at 06:13 PM Posted Tuesday at 06:13 PM Your Transtar was a real looker, thanks for letting us see it. Your build looks great too, that colour scheme is just perfect. Good work. 3
Biggu Posted Tuesday at 06:15 PM Posted Tuesday at 06:15 PM 1 minute ago, Rockford said: Your Transtar was a real looker, thanks for letting us see it. Your build looks great too, that colour scheme is just perfect. Good work. I totally agree , Steve, it's a beauty... 2
Pete68 Posted Tuesday at 11:18 PM Author Posted Tuesday at 11:18 PM 5 hours ago, Rockford said: colour scheme is just perfect. Good work. Thanks Steve wish I could take credit for the paint job but I bought it off of eBay like that I hated to repaint it. Glad you stopped by.
Pete68 Posted Tuesday at 11:19 PM Author Posted Tuesday at 11:19 PM 5 hours ago, Biggu said: I totally agree , Steve, it's a beauty... Thanks Jeff. Hoping to get more done this week on it. I got the wing glasses in the 4300 had to make them now to button up that cab. Glad you stopped by. 1
Biggu Posted Tuesday at 11:53 PM Posted Tuesday at 11:53 PM This is a really a smart looking truck with the paint colors and the scheme chosen. It will be really sharp when done. Makes me want to do one. 1
Pete68 Posted Wednesday at 12:01 AM Author Posted Wednesday at 12:01 AM 7 minutes ago, Biggu said: It will be really sharp when done. Thanks for the inspiration Jeff I appreciate it. 1
Pete68 Posted Wednesday at 12:05 AM Author Posted Wednesday at 12:05 AM 5 hours ago, Rockford said: Your Transtar was a real looker, thanks for letting us see it. Your welcome Steve here’s you another one 2
Gary Chastain Posted Wednesday at 12:08 AM Posted Wednesday at 12:08 AM Like where this is going, great color choice 2
BK9300 Posted Wednesday at 12:41 AM Posted Wednesday at 12:41 AM Beautiful truck you owned, Lee - would be cool if you made a trailer for your model, like the one in the pic above! 1
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