International CO-4070A Transtar (Fool’s Gold)

[Pete68]

The other night I was looking at Cabover Transtars on the internet and stumbled across this very different Transtar. I thought this would make a good winter project as winter settles in. At first glance it looks like a 4070B but as you look closer it is actually a 4070A. The lower half where the headlights are have been changed to a 4070B as well as the side trim and bumper and a later 4070B visor has been installed. Those organ pipes on the Muffler’s most of the time is a dead giveaway for a screaming Jimmy. I thought maybe they moved the wipers to the bottom and add older doors because there not slam lock type like the 4070B there push button like the 4070A but as I looked though the windshield it has the Pod Speedo and tack and the flat dash and it has the older Air Cleaner set up. I had a junk Ertl cab that I’ll replace the lower half of the 4070A cab and add the other components. More than likely I’ll block the front axle up to get the right height instead of raising the cab which I think they have done on the real truck. I’ll be painting it Testors Pure Gold with Black stripe. I’m naming this Model “ Fool’s Gold” because at first glance I’m sure it fool many people that it was a Transtar 4070B it Fooled me.  Hope you follow along with my Winter project. 

Edited Friday at 01:18 PM by Pete68

[Pete68]

No Dump Trucking this morning so thought I would get to work on this cab in case I have a window to paint it. The fit was easy and painless. I decided to sand off the decals and paint because the plastic is so brittle instead of soaking it I never had much luck soaking brittle plastic. 

[Biggu]

Wow. That initial detail write up was interesting. I have never studied these particular trucks as they were very rare here even in the heyday of cab overs.  It takes a real expert to m ow those fine details, I had no idea. Its cool to have that knowledge to be able to identify year and model and to be able to modify a scale model to the specific details.  I will be watching this with great interest, Lee. This will be good…..

[Gary Chastain]

Great intro story which makes the build even more interesting. Yes sir, be a watchin this one Lee. Ive never done a Cabover

[Pete68]

2 hours ago, Biggu said:

they were very rare here even in the heyday of cab overs

Thanks for the compliment Jeff. They were plenty of Internationals cabovers in my area growing up. My family was a big International fan both trucks and Farm tractors. My other Grandpa who wasn’t a truck driver he was a Truck/Auto Mechanic he worked at a local International Truck dealership in the early 1970s and when Ertl released the International 4070A model kit in 1973 the International dealership gave him one and he built it straight out of the box no painting. Later he gave it to my brother Bill who still has it today. 

[Pete68]

40 minutes ago, Gary Chastain said:

Ive never done a Cabover

Thanks for stopping by Gary. If you ever do build a cabover The International’s are the easiest by far. 

[Pete68]

Had a productive day. Painted the Engine I painted it Alpine Green as if the owner was rebuilding the truck and he decided to do an out of frame on the engine and he never liked that engine IH red so he repainted it Alpine Green. I also built the frame. Here’s a mock up to make sure everything fits well. 

[Gary Chastain]

I’m likin those modifications 

[Pete68]

35 minutes ago, Gary Chastain said:

I’m likin those modifications 

Thanks Gary I appreciate it 

[Pete68]

Had a major heat wave this morning 46° so I done some painting. The frame is done and the cab is primed. 

 

Edited 6 hours ago by Pete68

[BK9300]

Just catching up here, Lee!  I agree with other comments - you have lots of knowledge about these two trucks.  The build is already looking great!

[Pete68]

2 hours ago, BK9300 said:

The build is already looking great!

Thanks Brian I appreciate it. I’ve always liked these International trucks and owning a real one was a plus too. There were quite a few truckers here in town that were family friends of ours when I was young so I’ve been around these old Binders for years.