Autocar A64b Questions

[PatRedmond]

Got mine today. Thanks Stevens Int'l.

Now, until the review comes out from Tim, can anyone give me some idea on engine colors for this?

Edited December 11, 2007 by PatRedmond

[ZIL 111V]

The A64B is Surely a welcome kit after over 25 years of absence:

Think the last year this kit was available was in 1978 0r 79!

...Engine color you say! can't go wrong with Cummins Beige (tan) on amt's NTC350.

[Aaronw]

I don't know which engine is in the kit, but I stared this thread on engine colors awhile back that might help.

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2453

[ZIL 111V]

I don't know which engine is in the kit, but I stared this thread on engine colors awhile back that might help.

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2453

Excellent list, think I'll print it!

[ABC Auto Industry]

The engine supplied with the kit is a Cummins NHC-250, but it includes parts for the NTC-350, which I used (despite the instruction sheet placing those parts under the section "Parts Not To Be Used", I think the instruction sheet is angry at me). I'm glad that kit finally came out. I just finished the engine, and I started work on the chassis, so I'll try to post pics later. My plans are to paint this rig in Baranski Construction Company colors: dark red with green-over-blue stripe. Eventually, I plan to get a Loadcraft Lowboy trailer and a Caterpillar D8H bulldozer to go with it. I also plan to get an Autocar DC-64 dump truck kit & paint it with the same paint job.

One thing I noticed was that the 5-spoke rear wheels are chromed, which is odd to me considering that the Chevy Titan had white 5-spoke rear wheels. Then again, it seems that each of AMT's truck kits has their own little quirks. Anyways, I'd like to give a big thanks to AMT & Stevens International for re-issuing this kit! It was a huge surprise to see a hard to find kit like that reissued! I can't wait for the Mack Cruise-Liner kit in April. Also, it would be neat if they reissued the gas turbine option for the GMC Astro.

[PatRedmond]

Thanks, guys.

I saw that thread but I didn't know which engine it was. I'm not a usual big rig guy.

[ZIL 111V]

Odd that the nice chromed 5 slots wheels where only available in this tractor kit.

Turbine engine optional parts in Astro 95 still existing?

Read that all the "Turbine" parts of the original 1971 edition, where "removed" when the Astro95 & (Titan90) kits where "updated" in 1976.

[ABC Auto Industry]

Odd that the nice chromed 5 slots wheels where only available in this tractor kit.

Turbine engine optional parts in Astro 95 still existing?

Read that all the "Turbine" parts of the original 1971 edition, where "removed" when the Astro95 & (Titan90) kits where "updated" in 1976.

If you're referring to the rear wheels, then the chrome 5-spoke rear wheels are also available on the Kenworth Challenge cement mixer kit. If you're referring to the front wheels, then this is the only AMT kit that has those.

About the turbine option: Are you saying that they got rid of the mold for the turbine parts, or that they simply were not included in succeeding issues of the kit & the mold was stored somewhere? If the mold has been destroyed, then I'll have to damage my bank if I want that Turbine edition Astro 95.

Another comment on the whole Astro 95 Turbine topic: Though the real GMC Astro was more common than the real Chevy Titan, for some reason the model version of the Chevy Titan was more common than the model version of the GMC Astro (well, the first issue was, anyways). Then again, it seems that AMT has been known for quirks like this, but I'm not sure, because I don't know everything about AMT. Does anyone have a good source about AMT? I found this real good source on AMT's history, but it's in Russian, and translating it using Babelfish results in gibberish. If anyone can find a good source on AMT, then I've got this really good source on the GMC Astro Turbine edition: http://gmtblog.blogspot.com/2006/10/how-to...as-turbine.html

Ah, the mysteries of the world.

[PatRedmond]

OK, where do I find spoked wheels for the front of this rig? I don't have any 'parts' kits.

[ABC Auto Industry]

OK, where do I find spoked wheels for the front of this rig? I don't have any 'parts' kits.

You could get some from a Chevy Titan or GMC Astro kit, but you said you don't have any parts kits, so here's a link to a site that has 5-spoke rims for sale: http://www.danmodeltruckworld.com/shop/ind...th=106_95_34_37 However, the Autocar A64B has slightly larger tires & rims than other AMT ruck kits for some reason, so 1/25 scale rims might be a bit small for the tires.

[ZIL 111V]

The front ones, the same rear spokes (not plated) are also available in the White Road Boss, Diamond Reo, Western Star & Autocar Dump truck all with those nice Uniroyal tires, the font sloted ones only in the A64B?...like you say Amt's quirks!

Extremly rare indeed is the 1971 Turbine engine Astro 95...think the parts section for the Turbine Option engine on mold was "Retooled-Erase from mold?"! OR it's roting somewear in Troy near former AMT plant!, OR an Ex AMT employe got it in some dusty box in garage!..............personally think that the chances of getting a Turbine engine Astro95 are very, very slim.

Never seen the Turbine stuff in later Matchbox, ERTL, & recent RC2 reissues of the Astro95.

The Titan90 T509 was made in 1970, from my point of view, Chevy (like Ford) was a more "popular brand name" for AMT's main buyers.... "kids" back then, that's probably why the Titan90 came first ....with NO Turbine engine option, after few investement in logo & Turbine engine (tree) tooling came the 1971 the T510 Astro95.

Where is the "Turbine" section of the Astro95 mold....Mystery since the mid 70's

[ZIL 111V]

OK, where do I find spoked wheels for the front of this rig? I don't have any 'parts' kits.

Astro 95 are to small in diameter for Uniroyal tires: try the front spokes from Am't's Diamond Reo or Autocar Dump Truck will fit perfectly.............Maybe ex IMC Lindberg Dodge L700, these look huge on the small L700!

[PatRedmond]

try the front spokes from Am't's Diamond Reo

That's what Tim said. I'll look around. Can anybody spare a set for me?

[ABC Auto Industry]

Tim has built an A64B model, long before the reissue came about. Now that you mention it, I think he used the rims from the Diamond Reo kit (I think the Diamond Reo in that kit is an Apollo 116, I'm not sure).

[Jim B]

Dylan,

You say that the parts for the NTC-350 & NHC-250 are included in the kit? That's pretty cool. I'll have to remember that when I eventually build mine. Do you know if this is true for the Autocar dump truck as well?

[PatRedmond]

Tim has built an A64B model, long before the reissue came about. Now that you mention it, I think he used the rims from the Diamond Reo kit (I think the Diamond Reo in that kit is an Apollo 116, I'm not sure).

Thanks. After consultations, i'm going to keep the front 5 holes.

[ABC Auto Industry]

Dylan,

You say that the parts for the NTC-350 & NHC-250 are included in the kit? That's pretty cool. I'll have to remember that when I eventually build mine. Do you know if this is true for the Autocar dump truck as well?

Yes, the DC-64 dump truck uses most of the same parts as the A64B, except for the bumper, 5-hole aluminum front wheels, and fenders. It also has parts for the dump truck body as well, in addition to 6-spoke front wheels.

[sourkraut]

And now the answer to the original question! Cummins beige (tan).

[PatRedmond]

Quickie progress pics.

[41CHEVY]

One item about the front wheels. The practice when the kit was made and the trucks were on the road was, light weight front wheels and no front brakes for over the road trucks. The idea was better steering with less weight and the lack of front brakes would prevent pull and jack knives. Paul

[Old Albion]

Pat,

Looks like your off to a good start, the colours look interesting. The white plastic of the cab goes well with the orange frame. Will the cab be painted white? Also what theme are you using for the build? restored, new, well used etc. With regards to the colour Cummins Beige. The transmission probably matt or satin finish Black or dull red. Depending on your theme will determine the colours and the condition. For example if you build the truck as a hard working truck but well looked after (My favourite theme) You might paint the engine beige and the transmission black with some light weathering. But if you build it as a restored truck its really up to you you might want both the engine and transmission the same colour as the frame. Its really your choice.

I have an original A64B but will probably keep that untouched and get hold of a couple of these new re-issues. I'm very close to completing my Twin Steer Autocar dump truck and may just build an Autocar A64B as a heavy Michigan Tractor and Scratch built dump trailer in the same colours as the twin steer. So I will be interested to see how you get on with this? I like the old Autocar its a great looking truck and its a shame that they aren't around anymore!

Good Luck with the rest of the project and keep us posted with updates.

[PatRedmond]

Thanks.

Going with a well kept work look. No chrome. Trans will be dull red. Body will be Oxford/Wimbledon White.

Edited December 15, 2007 by PatRedmond

[mackinac359]

Wheels that fit the Autocar:

Spokes: From the AMT Diamond Reo.

10 hole Alcoas: White-Freightliner, White Road Boss, White-Western Star.

You could drop down a tire size and use the spokes from the GMC Astro/95.

Or.. check with Dave Natale at AITM or Dan at Plaskit for resin parts.

Tim

[PatRedmond]

Tim, you've been a great help on this. Thanks yet again !

[ABC Auto Industry]

Another question: What makes this kit easier to assemble than the other AMT big rig kits? The box claims that there's over 250 parts, about the same as all other AMT big rig kits, yet assembly seems to be easier than the other kits. Why?