AMT Peterbilt 359 California Hauler Wrecker

[Superpeterbilt]

Thanks again guys!

The more I look at it the more I feel it needs a little more "clutter" in the back. Since the kit came with a bunch of accessories, I've decided to paint them up and add them to the wrecker body deck to "busy" it up. Also, I think the 50 gallon drum needs to be secured somehow, any of you truck experts know how this would be done in real life? Would they wrap a chain around it? Bungee cords? Any suggestions would be welcome. As a matter of fact, if any of you think it might benefit from other things added (chains, cables, tools, etc.) let me know.

Thanks.

Tory

There should always be some blocks of wood also(some dirty 4"x4" blocks, balsa wood will work), some pieces of angle for chocks, a shredded tire(blowout), and some wreckers have an extra fuel tank mounted in the bed with a siphon pump, hose and nozzle to provide roadside assistance.

[Tory]

Here's the under glass link.

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=101417&page=1

Wow, beautiful model Clayton, love the color combination and detail you added to the bed. Thank you for sharing the link!

Terry thanks for the suggestions I will certainly keep them in mind as I attempt to clutter the bed!

Tory

Edited July 2, 2015 by Tory

[cruiseliner]

WOW great job .She's a show stopping workhorse, i would be proud to drive.

[gatorincebu]

Tory,

great looking wrecker you have here! To secure the barrel.I would suggest a ratchet strap! Or you could make a homemade tie down using a flat piece of plastic across the top of the barrel. And some round rod with a hook bent into the bottom end going down to a hook pocket on the floor.??? Hope this makes sense to you.

For a good idea of what I am talking about .Look at the grease and oil drums on the back of a heavy equipment lube truck..

Be Well

Gator

Edited July 4, 2015 by gatorincebu

[Tory]

Gator,

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm thinking the ratchet strap might be the easier way from a modeling point of view, although since this truck is meant to be from the late '60s-early '70s would that have been in use at the time?

[RAMBENNA]

sweet tow truck looks great

[gatorincebu]

Gator,

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm thinking the ratchet strap might be the easier way from a modeling point of view, although since this truck is meant to be from the late '60s-early '70s would that have been in use at the time?

Tory,

Actually to make it is quite simple. And to answer your question. that or similar systems are used to this day on fuel

and service truck to secure the barrels. I think you can handle the task. go for it!

Be Well

Gator

[SpreadAxle]

That really looks nice. The matching oil drum is a nice touch.

[jacobus]

everything is already said

its a winner in my opinion , great work , nice and clean build

i think a do a restauration on my old peterbilt wrecker and use your,s as example [ great colours ]

jacobus

[Tesla]

Your weathering is excellent!

Edited July 14, 2015 by Tesla

[Tory]

Thank you all again for all the kind words on my Wrecker! I am so glad it has found favor here. I am currently putting the finishing touches on some accessories to add to the back to "busy" it up a little. When they are in place I will post some additional photos.

Jacobus, I am honored to be an inspiration for a restoration of your old Wrecker. Glad you like the color, I thought it worked well for this vintage truck.

Tory

[martinfan5]

I would say it turned out pretty good , nice work

[BKF]

Very nice and the weathering is great!

[Old Buckaroo]

Top Notch work all the way around.  I keep going back and looking at the pictures as this Wrecker really stands out.

 

[Tory]

Again, many thanks for all the kind words on my Wrecker! As I mentioned, I had hoped to add additional details to the deck, as it does look a little sterile for a work horse. Here are some photos of what I have done since the original post.

The tool box, floor jack, gas cans, broom, shovel, fire extinguisher, spare hook, and wood planks were all included in the wrecker kit. I scratch built the boxes for the chain and gas cans as well as the rack that holds the broom and shovel out of Evergreen Styrene stock. The chain was purchased at a Michael's Craft Store. The securing strap for the 50 gallon drum was made from some soft wire stock along with the ring that it is attached to the side of the body. Some additional chrome was added to the body storage door handles using Bare Metal Foil. I also added some paint chipping along the rear deck edge as I am sure this area would have gotten chipped up while loading and unloading the various tools and supplies. I also chipped up the orange towing apparatus as this too would have been subject to this sort of abuse. All in all I think it really fills out the work area nicely.

Tory

[Petetrucker07]

Very nice work. I think it looks like an operator that is organized, not sterile. If I were a tow truck driver, that's how mine would look. Excellent work overall.

[Force]

Nice additions.that lifts the appearence of a allredy very nice model.

Edited July 27, 2015 by Force

[Danno]

Spectacular!

[tbill]

not much to say that hasn't already been said, great build!

[kilrathy10]

I really like this rig.....All of the improvements are fantastic....Excellent work.....Man, I like this thing....

[GearUpJammer]

Great looking wrecker Tory!

[Truck parts]

Great looking build

[Old Albion]

This is an excellent build.  The paint scheme is perfect, superb work.  Well done.

[camaroman]

Beautiful wrecker with the fuel station linkup... whatz not to love,

SUPER!

[Brutalform]

On mine, I was gonna take about 1/8 inch out of the middle. But I switched the rims and tires out for Moebius and didn't have to cut anything.

The Moebius Big Rig tires set will fill the wheels out to the body without narrowing the body?  I'm currently  working on The California Hauler reissue, but plan on building the wrecker next.