California Special

[Biggu]

Boy , this sure is good

[Six Pack]

Sweet. IRL it'l ride rough with suspenion , it'll be cool on the book shelf though (I have two 1/25 weapons with that suspension ). Remember the KW torsion bar suspension , they weren't very nice riding also

[Rockford]

The KW torsion bar was a clever design. Not many left. 

[Rockford]

The clock went back last night and I'mu all out of sorts today and we're being battered by another Atlantic low but I still did a bit at the bench. 

Built a pogo stick and a catwalk. Looks ok. 

Thought I'd take a few shots of it with a nice reefer to check if the stance is right. 

[BK9300]

The Special is looking pretty good, in front of that reefer!

[Gary Chastain]

It’s definitely got the right stance and attitude, fun to watch you build. 

[Jürgen M.]

This will be another very 'special' build Steve! 

Looks really amazing!

[Rockford]

I was trawling the interwebs for inspiration the other night and came across a batch of long frames...

I find these fascinating, they're something that could only exist in America, a real unique configuration. 

 

This is a setup I've never seen before, the reefer fuel tank is on the trailer bulkhead. 

 

They did have conventionals too but the seem really rare. I like the spare wheel mounted upright on the chassis.

 

This K100 has one too. 

 

This sums it up really doesn't it? The truck is much longer than the trailer!

So this is perfectly credible. I apologise for my digression. 

[Biggu]

Very cool old school pics, Steve. This is a very interesting thread. And you’re doing a fabulous job on this. 

[Pete68]

On 10/29/2025 at 2:56 AM, Rockford said:

the reefer fuel tank is on the trailer bulkhead

Steve a lot of early reefer sea containers had this set up mostly the 20’ ones. I’ve always liked this pic I had some decals made years ago for this rig. Some where on here I started to build this truck but I made it a Pacemaker 352 instead of the one in the pic. Hope you get some inspiration you posted some good pics 

[Rockford]

5 hours ago, Pete68 said:

Steve a lot of early reefer sea containers had this set up mostly the 20’ ones. I’ve always liked this pic I had some decals made years ago for this rig. Some where on here I started to build this truck but I made it a Pacemaker 352 instead of the one in the pic. Hope you get some inspiration you posted some good pics 

I know what you mean, see quite a few in Liverpool at the docks with the reefer unit all contained within the frame at the front. I like your profile icon mate, I've read the brochure that comes from quite a few times. I love the wording of the old brochures. 

[Pete68]

9 hours ago, Rockford said:

I like your profile icon mate, I

Thanks Steve. I remember in the fall of 1976 getting a couple Chevy Bison  brochures ( I still have them ) from the dealership my dad always bought his tractor trailer and trucks from They’re probably one of my top three favorite trucks. Hopefully I’ll get the building one soon.

Edited 6 hours ago by Pete68

[Rockford]

5 hours ago, Pete68 said:

Thanks Steve. I remember in the fall of 1976 getting a couple Chevy Bison  brochures ( I still have them ) from the dealership my dad always bought his tractor trailer and trucks from They’re probably one of my top three favorite trucks. Hopefully I’ll get the building one soon.

I used to write to the factories from the addresses listed in my Observers Book of Commercial Vehicles. They were usually very gracious.  Kenworth and International Harvester were kind.