Turnpiker, Box Stock

Bozzer
So, I started this, basically to keep my sanity. It's an old kit, and I won it on eBay, years ago. I love the look of the truck, so let's see what I can do with it?

Martin Oostrom
Shotgun!

Bozzer
This isn't the "Walk in the park" kit, that I thought it was, Martin. I've tried the hot water treatment, on the cab, with no effect. So, it's a ceramic tile on the radiator, and weight on the roof. Hopefully, tomorrow will see some better results?

Nigel Chapman
My food dehydrator I use for drying painted items has a variable temp setting. Would anything like that help with the cab? I.e. a constant heat flow around the cab may soften it allowing it be reshaped.

Bozzer
I like that idea, Nigel. I unfortunately, don't own a hairdryer, but I do have a heat gun. I don't particularly want to use it. As I type now, the tile and weight method, is underway. The heating and cooling of the radiator, should assist the process, but you've definitely given me a new train of thought.
Thankyou, my friend. The collective minds of the hive, strike again 👍

Bozzer
Wow, I didn't realise how long it's been!
I've been tinkering on with this, along with many other projects, when time allows. I'll pick up on the pictures tomorrow.

Martin Oostrom
It is tomorrow already! Where are those pictures?

Bozzer
Just for you, Martin.

Bozzer
The saga of the cab warpage, didn't get any better. Even after 2 weeks on the radiator and a week outside in the sun, nothing happened. So I painted it and consoled myself, that once the clear parts were added, and the interior, that would stiffen things up and back in shape? Then suddenly, a cheap Peterbilt 352 kit, appeared on eBay. Three days later, it was in my hands. Cab was perfect, so black it went!

Martin Oostrom
Nice work Bozzer. That gloss black is really reflective. Happy that you managed to buy yet another kit 😂

Bozzer
Thanks mate. I'm a bit gutted about the decals, and they took an awful long time, to get anything like they should be.
My advice to anyone thinking about building this kit, is to ditch the decals and use them as templates, for airbrushing. Much quicker, more effective, and no headache.

Bob Hall
Old school, I'm in 👍

Nigel Chapman
Bozzer, you did an excellent job with those decals. They do look good over the black paint.
Any mods or is it box stock?

Bill Newcomer
Late to the party (again). That must be a vintage kit. I have never seen that aero package over the drive axles before.

Martin Oostrom
I doubt it'll do much. The cab is just a square block of metal fighting against airflow. So relieving the drag of the fifth wheel is relatively pointless.
But it does look good 👀

Bozzer
Welcome gents.
Nigel, this started out as bog standard, box stock. It was just something to keep me going? Like most of us here, I have other projects going on, so I was just building a cool kit to fill in gaps? Man, I've never fought a kit, so much!
That being said, it does look kinda funky. It's basically AMT's early 70's version, of a show truck. As a spoiler, it's just an ordinary 352 Pete, with a couple of extra sprues.
I've always wanted this kit, and when I got the chance, I snapped it up.
Like the old saying goes, be careful what you wish for.

nikfrost
Good luck with this one Bozzer!

Nigel Chapman
I've fancied one myself but prices put me off.
This is the only Custom truck kit out there (?) are there any extra chrome parts as well?
Everything else AMT produced tended to be work trucks.
The Pete would look good with a roof chop and lowered all round!

Bozzer
Thanks Nik!
Nigel, to my knowledge, this is the only USA, customised truck? Of a show truck type, anyway? Basically, there's an extra chrome sprue, and a couple of extra white sprues. It's mainly the fancy wheels and a few bits for the engine, not forgetting the Texas style bumper. The white sprues are body parts, plus a few bits of steering linkage, etc? Interesting that the chrome sprue that comes standard with the kit, is also the same as the Peterbilt California Hauler, 359 kit?
I have to admit, that I kinda like the fancy mirrors.

Brandon H
Looking good Bozzer! This is a tough kit to find, even here in the US. Excited to see your final result!

Bozzer
Thanks Brandon.
Hopefully some updates over the weekend 🙂