DRIPTROIT 71

On 9/27/2023 at 7:10 PM, vincen47 said:

Understandable you’d like them to be able to roll, and there’s nothing stopping you from experimenting with metal rod.

As a side note, I used to try to get the wheels to roll as well, but found the extra effort not worthwhile. Often, they’d be wobbly if they did roll at all. I found it better to get the wheels set perfectly square and plumb and glue them there, as it’s stronger (wheels don’t fall off later) and prevents the model from rolling off the shelf or workbench.

But if you’re going for working wheels, big rig kits tend to be harder to get them to roll because they lack the simple solid metal axle rods that a lot of cars have. So, you have to contend with the plastic wheel to plastic axle connection. The Revell 359 is about the worst kit as far as the design and functionality of the wheels and tires. Other kits are better, but they’re not sure thing either. It’s been a while since I’ve built an AMT truck, but I think they may roll better.

Aftermarket wheels and tires are often a better choice for accuracy and detail, but they usually require you to adapt them to the kit axle, by drilling them out larger or using a plastic sleeve, which often forces you to glue them in place anyway.

One option to consider is the Moebius big rig wheel and tire sets. They’re not too expensive and they look nice. But, when I used them on my 359, I glued them in place, I didn’t look into making them roll, but that might have been possible.

Another idea, I used metal tubing to reinforce the Italeri axles for my current 379-based RV project. The reasoning was to allow the axles to better support the weight of the body going on the chassis. It’s going to be a heavy build. I adapted the Italeri axles to mate with aftermarket aluminum hubs and wheels, resin disc brakes, and resin tires. But again, I wasn’t looking to make them roll, so everything is glued in place.

However, I bet the basic concept could be applied to the rear axles of Italeri kits with a solid rod or open tubing to make them roll as you describe. Try to drill out the axle to fit the rod or tube, and sandwich the two halves over it. Then, making sure it still rotates, glue the wheel sets onto the rod/tube. I’m not sure how you’d approach the front axle, or other brands, but other builders may have ideas.

That looks pretty awesome Victor!!

I don't like my wheels to roll, at least not on every axle. For me it is an accident waiting to happen! I like to leave the brakes on.

Very nice!! I like it!!

Thanks guys!!

That looks real sharp!!

On 10/22/2023 at 1:16 AM, VicVavic said:

Looks great! I was considering putting the same engine in mine, did you need to do a lot work to get it to fit in?

Thanks! It wasn't much trouble, no worse than any other engine swap. 

Looks Great!!

Awesome work!!

On 9/1/2023 at 5:52 PM, Gary Chase said:

Such a great build, nice detail

Thanks so much Gary!!

Thanks Victor! The ones of these that I usually worked on were gas burner 700 series, but vertical much similar. I’m not terribly tall, I would have to climb up on one of these and then almost stand on my head to reach back down to work on the engine. Sometimes I just climbed up and sat under the hood.

Thanks Brian! I always liked how these trucks looked, I just hated working on the ones that didn’t have a tilt front end.

I like the paint scheme and the 4 door cab! Nice work!

This was a resin conversion from an unknown caster. The chassis was made from spare parts.

On 7/3/2023 at 7:31 PM, Brian Dutz said:

Great looking build! A+. 

Thanks Brian!!

On 7/4/2023 at 9:20 PM, vincen47 said:

Excellent build. Neat subject matter, for sure. I love the interior detail and the aftermarket wheels and tires. I too, noticed the asymmetrical stack placement. Who knows why they did that, but it’s a unique and prototypical feature to include. Great job on capturing those details and things like the Ford Blue 8v71. 

Thanks Victor!!

13 minutes ago, Johnny M said:

NIce! Looks great -- love the fuel decals and the fifth-wheel grease.

Q:  Why did they have the exhaust stacks off-center like that? That would make me crazy if I had to drive it. Not that I'm OCD or anything (well maybe a little, but only sometimes -- ok a lot, I admit it, full disclosure.)🤪

Johnny

Thanks! I don’t know the reason, but that is one of the reasons that I put duals on this one. Ford actually did them this way, so I thought that it would be a neat detail to put on this build.

This began with a A.I.T.M. Cab. It has an 8v-71 Detroit, Clint Freeman 2 hole Budds, Double Take steer tires and Scenes Unlimited drive tires.

On 5/4/2023 at 5:57 PM, jpage said:

Very nicely done and a unique model! Love that weathering!

 

Thanks!!

Very cool Chuck!! Did you use the engine from the C cab?

Looks great! I like the weathering!

On 5/3/2023 at 5:44 PM, Cornbinder said:

Lovely Autocar!

The Autocar Driver Cab (style we're all familiar with in the AMT kits) first came out in 1950. There are some design differences but that's the newer style cab with the curved glass. 

Thanks Chuck!

3 hours ago, jpage said:

Beautiful job!  Does Mr. Rowley make custom decals? if so, do you have any contact info?

Thanks! Charles is on this forum under the name “Chariots of fire.” You can send him a pm.

1 hour ago, Johnny M said:

Driptroit, do you know what year model that truck might be, with the flat windshield? I think all the Autocars I've ever seen on the road have the later, curved, windshield. I'm guessing this one must be from the late forties. I kinda want to say they didn't introduce that set-back front axle tractor until after the war but...

As always, I could be wrong.

Johnny

I think 49 was the last year for this cab, but a friend of mine had one with the newer cab and I think that he said that it was a 49. With that said, I assume 49 was the transition year. I’m going to say post war to 49 model. In my research it seems like very few Autocars are exactly the same. 

8 hours ago, Johnny M said:

Wow -- that's beautiful!

Congrats -- super job.

Johnny

 

 

Thanks Johnny!

1 hour ago, vincen47 said:

Really nice work. Those are interesting drive tires. I’ve never seen a tread pattern like that before. Neat stuff. I imagine those came with the kit? Also, what’s the layout of the rear of the cab? Cool truck, for sure.

Thanks Victor! I’ve only seen a tread pattern like this once in an old picture of an old International. I picked up these drive  tires from a supplier on Ebay. 
The sleeper has a button tuck bed cushion.

This is the Strao-models Autocar DC 75/100 kit. The decals are thanks to Charles Rowley.

This looks Awesome! The paint scheme is perfect!!

9 hours ago, 02fusoFG said:

May I ask were you got the wheels/tires ?

 

I truly don’t remember where the wheels and tires came from, but I probably picked them up second hand on Ebay.

I like it!