OK, So how dumb am I?

[Swifster]

I couldn't help it. Ever since I was a little kid, I always wanted this kit. And the prices have dropped into the low to mid $20 range. I really don't plan on starting it just yet, but I started looking for some reference pictures and wham! Slapped in the face with reality. Most websites that popped up, and I'm paraphrasing here, said this kit is a P.O.S. Is this really that bad?

[Aaronw]

I'm working on one, it is definately something of a challenge, but I haven't run into anything a little care and patience can't overcome.

[Wagoneer81]

You have to consider that this kit is an old MPC kit and the tooling is getting up there in age. Having said that, it's really not that bad of a kit. Yes, there are some fit issues... and the instructions can be pretty vague about where exactly a part is supposed to fasten but, if you take your time and check and adjust your fit along the way, it can be turned into a pretty nice truck.

Here's one that I stretched into a stakebed a little over a year ago... I glued the pass. door closed and posed the drivers door open as I didn't want to fuss with making them open and close properly. To me, the doors are the weakest link in the kit but otherwise not that big a deal... Having built this one, I really wouldn't mind doing a few more. I do want to do the tractor/tanker combo someday. Now, I wouldn't say that if the kit were a real pain or as horrible as some people say it is... I have an aversion to horrible kits...lol!

I'd say, find a few reference pics and dive in and start building... If you need any help, detail pics and answers are only a PM away...

[george 53]

Actually, it's an old IMC kit. It was a bit of a task to build when it was NEW(About 45 years ago!) and with the condition of the NEW kits I've seen(I got one in a trade) Not much has improved. As with ALL IMC kits, it has ALOT of moveing parts. The cab is hinged, as are the doors, and the steering also steers. ALOT of stuff needs to be trimmed of extra flash. BUT with patience (and askin some questions) it CAN be buil;t up as a VERY NICE truck. BUT it WILL NOT fall together for ya. THIS is one kit you HAFTA build, and put some quality time into, and it can be a REAL nice truck. Don't be afraid to tackle it, it'll be a nice addition to your collection.

[Bastardo]

I finished one some time ago. Yes, the kit is a pain the you-know-where to work on... Parts have no numbers, fitment is just poor, ... Details are so-so and the opening door and tilt-cab try to make up for the bad quality of the kit

Don't get me wrong - it's worth givin' a shot, but expect problems and take your time.

A very short WIP to my build is on this URL:

Link to WIP

Sorry for the slovene language - if you want to know anything, just ask

The finished truck can be seen here:

Link to a galery

Enjoy your build as much as possible

[scale trucker]

yes it has its fit issues. but a little time and adjustments you will have a nice truck..here is a pic of the 1 im building

[mackinac359]

I did the majority of the box-art models for Lindberg on the Dodge..(green with flatbed, white tractor and Skelly tanker) even after all of those, I still find the kit very challenging. The worst part is the door fitment. If you must have operating doors - then you have to be really really REALLLLY patient with the finicky hinges. Test fit everything. Twice.

Once you realize the kit will test your frustration levels, it will test them again.

With all that said.. I still like the kit and the finished model. I really want to build one as a flat bed combining the AMT Ford C600 stake truck kit.

This one was built from an original IMC/Testors kit that ModelKing had

This one was built from a partial built kit I bought in '02

The doors don't open on this green tractor. I built this from parts back in '01 or 02.

This Skelly L700 and the tanker were built from fresh kits.

I seem to remember gluing the doors shut long before painting it?

The 1st run of the tractor with flatbed and car for a load that were sold through WalMart were full of flash. An unbelievable amount of flash. The later runs didn't have the flash, and the plastic was more white than the washed out white of the early run.

Tim

Nice idea for load ! A matched set all the way around.

Tim

yes it has its fit issues. but a little time and adjustments you will have a nice truck..here is a pic of the 1 im building

[Jim B]

I agree, this kit will try the patience of a Saint. That being said, it does look nice when it's done. Here's one I finished a couple of years ago:

Mine always look a little "down in the nose", if you know what I mean. And I think I had parts left over. Hmmm.

Edited June 30, 2011 by Jim B

[Swifster]

This doesn't go together like the Monogram '59 Impala???? Whaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

OK, so I'll give it a shot. I do have a question for those who took this wrist-slicing challenge. These have the appearance of a hot rod (tail up). Has anyone lowered the rear to even out the truck (as with a load)? I'm thinking of a loaded reefer of a local grocery store chain.

[Wagoneer81]

Actually, it's an old IMC kit.

IMC... I stand corrected, George, thank you. I actually knew that but for some reason (I blame the pain meds...) last night, I thought MPC...

JimB, I like that tractor, It looks good!

Swifster, when I built the green stakebed, I added a .040 styrene strip between the front leafsprings and axle and removed about the same from the rear springs to get it to set properly.

On a side note;

Tim... The funny thing is that when I built that stakebed, I thought, 'Gee, the guy that built the box art trucks has to be a really talented modeler...' Until today, I didn't know how right I was! Good job!

Edited June 30, 2011 by Wagoneer81

[Guest Johnny]

This doesn't go together like the Monogram '59 Impala???? Whaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

OK, so I'll give it a shot. I do have a question for those who took this wrist-slicing challenge. These have the appearance of a hot rod (tail up). Has anyone lowered the rear to even out the truck (as with a load)? I'm thinking of a loaded reefer of a local grocery store chain.

I couldn't find it right off but there is a thread about this truck where if I remember correctly BluesmanMark showed how to level it by removing the overload springs.

[The Modeling Hermit]

It's a fun but very challenging kit to build. I couldn't resist and put 3 deuces on one that I built. The next one needs a hemi.

[mackinac359]

Jim B,

Nice Transcon version !

Tim

[Jim B]

Chris & Tim, thanks for the compliments. I think if I build this kit again I'll do a straight truck of some kind. They seemed to be the most popular. Tractors not so much.

[Guest Johnny]

How about this?

[Aaronw]

How about this?

On my to do list (but it is a very long list).

[Jim B]

How about this?

Never seen that before!

[The Modeling Hermit]

I built this one some time back as a "homebuilt" wrecker. The 3 deuces would just make it a little more fun to get the job done. I used small pieces of plastic to raise the front end, but I probably should have used more.

[Swifster]

I may try to put the frame together tonight. Any ugly surprises I need to worry about other than the stance? I'm just looking at getting this going and will work with leveling the suspension at another time. I also want to find a 1:1 A100 to see what is behind the grille. I'm looking at opening the grille and not just painting it black. I have an idea of what it's like, but I want to see a real one.

While I'm thinking of it, is anyone aware of a photo etch set of this truck?

I did see a vintage picture from the 1960's for the trucks/tractors used by Publix here in Central Florida. It's hanging in the grocery cart area at the local store. While this one is B & W, I think I'll call their Public Relations Dept to see if there is a color photo. The truck in the picture is a conventional day cab, but this truck would be representative of the time.

Edited July 1, 2011 by Swifster