ultraliner13 Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 (edited) I managed to buy this Peterbilt off Ebay a few months back and had it sent to me here in New Zealand. It was already built but it was in need of a major rebuild. when auctioned. I had no idea it would be the sought after Peterbilt with the Detriot V8 untill I unrapped the bubble rap and saw the engine half hanging out of the chassie. I was even lucky enough to have been sent the original instructions which I have very carefuly put away. I intend mainly to rebuild it to original spec. I have replaced the glass with evergreen clear sheet as the kit glass was way to thick and after 35 Years of being knocked around it needed replacing. I hope you all enjoy my project and I hope to have some more pictures soon. Cheers John Edited November 15, 2007 by ultraliner13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Semi Trailer Mechanic Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 What's goin' on... Wasn't that the AMT T500 359 little window Peterbilt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackinac359 Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 That is the little window 359. AMT #T500. Wasn't that the AMT T500 359 little window Peterbilt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABC Auto Industry Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 Wow! That looks nice! Wasn't that the AMT T500 359 little window Peterbilt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultraliner13 Posted October 20, 2007 Author Share Posted October 20, 2007 Yes it is the AMT T500 359 little window Peterbilt. And i'm glad to have it in my workshop. Cheers John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultraliner13 Posted October 29, 2007 Author Share Posted October 29, 2007 Well here is the latest update from last time. I beleave I have nearly finished her but I may have to use some non genuine kit parts as there are a few missing. A good little joke on me was trying to find the hood hinges. I went through the box several times with no luck. My other half told me to look at the instructions. To my shock and relief there are no hood hinges you just have to use manual labour to lift the hood off. Hope you enjoy Cheers John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackinac359 Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 John The 359 looks good. AMT never designed hood hinges for the kit, much like some of their model cars at the time. The Ford LN kits are the same way. Tim Well here is the latest update from last time. I beleave I have nearly finished her but I may have to use some non genuine kit parts as there are a few missing. A good little joke on me was trying to find the hood hinges. I went through the box several times with no luck. My other half told me to look at the instructions. To my shock and relief there are no hood hinges you just have to use manual labour to lift the hood off. Hope you enjoy Cheers John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABC Auto Industry Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 A good little joke on me was trying to find the hood hinges. I went through the box several times with no luck. My other half told me to look at the instructions. To my shock and relief there are no hood hinges you just have to use manual labour to lift the hood off. The T501 issue introduced in the mid-70's has hood hinges. So do all subsequent issues of the Peterbilt 359. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crashalot2 Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 Did the first issue of the peterbilt tow truck have the V8? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultraliner13 Posted October 31, 2007 Author Share Posted October 31, 2007 The T522 Peterbilt 359 Wrecker AMT 1-25 is powered by the V8 Detriot. It must have cost AMT a fortune to change the parts over to update to the newer Peterbilt we are used too. If anyone can explain to me why AMT went throught this upgrade of kits I would really like to know. Cheers John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABC Auto Industry Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 (edited) I believe it was a result of the TV show "Movin' On", starring Claude Akins & Frank Converse, which premiered in 1974. AMT released a "Movin' On" version of their Kenworth W-900 kit, and soon, they upgraded a number of their truck kits: GMC Astro/Chevy Titan, Peterbilt 359, White Road Boss, etc... These reissued kits included any of the following: CB radio, dragfoiler, new decals, new engine, etc... In the 359's case, it even got a new larger-window 1100 series cab + a larger bumper & new grille to bring the kit into the 70's. However, some of AMT's kits went on without these upgrades, such as the Peterbilt 352. Edited October 31, 2007 by ABC Auto Industry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Albion Posted November 4, 2007 Share Posted November 4, 2007 John, The 359 looks great. The little window 359s are my favourite. I have plans to build a Little Window 359 with an extended hood as a heavy hauler in the near future. This little restoration gives me ideas. I've never attempted a restoration but can only have admiration for the efforts of those who do. This one looks like a new build. Well Done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultraliner13 Posted November 12, 2007 Author Share Posted November 12, 2007 I have finaly finished rebuilding this grand old lady and given her a new lease of life. The sun was out to day so out came the camera. Thanks to you all who left positive messages of support. Thanks to those also who look the time to have a quick look. Cheers I have another restoration project to undertake as soon as I have cleaned up my work bench. John Wilson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sourkraut Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Very nice work! I have never done a restoration, always feared more broken parts than I was willing to deal with and getting a total pile of junk in a box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABC Auto Industry Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Wow! Nice job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Albion Posted November 18, 2007 Share Posted November 18, 2007 John, This old Pete looks great. Superb project. Look forward to your next truck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brent Posted November 19, 2007 Share Posted November 19, 2007 Nicely done. I reckon she is ready for another half a million miles or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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