DRIPTROIT 71 Posted August 28, 2018 Posted August 28, 2018 (edited) The 37 Chevrolet has been my favorite prewar Chevrolet since I was a kid. I just really like the design of the front end. I have been wanting to do something other than a pulling truck with the Orange Blossom Special kit that I've had for probably twenty years. About a month ago I decided to try to convert it into a road tractor, so I went and dug it out of the basement. I didn't realize that the body had so many issues. I decided to fix what I could and build it as a barn find. The Revell 41 Chevrolet kit was happy to donate a few parts as well. To begin with the fender openings had to be enlarged for the bigger wheels and tires. The windshield was way too small and made the cab look chopped. I decided that if I was going to open up the windshield and make it bigger that I would build it glass open. On the real trucks the front of the side windows are narrower than the rear, but AMT took it to the extreme on this one. I repaired that the best way that I could without major surgery. I extended the rear of the front fenders, and converted the interior bucket back to stock. I also modified the kit running boards to represent stock. One major issued that I didn't see until it was too late is that the cab seems to be angled forward or the grill is too high. Every build that I've seen in hindsight is the same way. I used the kit hood filling in the center and making sides. The wheels and tires are resin from an unknown source. This was meant to be a fun build with a few experiments along the way. IMG_1508 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1521 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1523 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1525 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1528 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1531 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1534 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1532 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1384 by Brian Smith, on Flickr IMG_1386 by Brian Smith, on Flickr Edited August 28, 2018 by DRIPTROIT 71
OldTrucker Posted August 28, 2018 Posted August 28, 2018 Great weathering! I almost can remember seeing that tractor sitting in the bone yard years ago! Neglected old truck always make me sad. I try and envision what they must have been when new and wonder the stories behind them!
misterNNL Posted August 28, 2018 Posted August 28, 2018 Looks great and photographs very well. Thanks for sharing.
Jim B Posted August 28, 2018 Posted August 28, 2018 Great job on the '37, Brian. I don't think that road tractor has seen the open road in a long time. Very convincing weathering.
drinkone2 Posted August 28, 2018 Posted August 28, 2018 Outstanding build Brian! The rusting technique is very realistic, and the box of parts on the front seat is a nice touch.
towman1271 Posted August 28, 2018 Posted August 28, 2018 Amazing job on this..Very real looking. Your imagination and thought on all the builds lately is wonderful
cdgamble Posted August 29, 2018 Posted August 29, 2018 Amazing job with the weathering, looks like a vehicle I see sitting on some of the farms I pass, Great work
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted August 29, 2018 Author Posted August 29, 2018 23 hours ago, OldTrucker said: Great weathering! I almost can remember seeing that tractor sitting in the bone yard years ago! Neglected old truck always make me sad. I try and envision what they must have been when new and wonder the stories behind them! Thanks!! I used to old trucks sitting around as well, but they all seem to be gone. 21 hours ago, slusher said: Great looking build my friend! Very realistic! Thanks Carl! I was a pretty fun build. 14 hours ago, Mopar - D said: Nice build Brian. Thanks Dan!! 14 hours ago, David G. said: Nicely done, great patina! David G. Thanks! It was an experiment. 13 hours ago, Scalper said: that rust looks great Thanks! It was also a learning process. 13 hours ago, misterNNL said: Looks great and photographs very well. Thanks for sharing. Thanks! The sun light helps. 12 hours ago, Jim B said: Great job on the '37, Brian. I don't think that road tractor has seen the open road in a long time. Very convincing weathering. Thanks Jim! This one definitely has been sitting a while. 12 hours ago, Warren D said: Came out great! Thanks Warren! Looking forward to your Chevrolet! 9 hours ago, drinkone2 said: Outstanding build Brian! The rusting technique is very realistic, and the box of parts on the front seat is a nice touch. Thanks! The gasket set was definitely an experiment. 7 hours ago, towman1271 said: Amazing job on this..Very real looking. Your imagination and thought on all the builds lately is wonderful Thanks Dave! And my wife says that I have no imagination. 58 minutes ago, cdgamble said: Amazing job with the weathering, looks like a vehicle I see sitting on some of the farms I pass, Great work Thanks!
misterNNL Posted August 29, 2018 Posted August 29, 2018 A quick search on the net will reveal a host of images if real '37 Chevy semi tractors for those interested in seeing what the vehicles looked like. Thanks for taking some low angle photos of your model. Those give an added bit of realism your photos as so many take theirs as though the photographer is on top of a 20' ladder which is an angle real vehicles are seldom if ever seen from.
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted September 4, 2018 Author Posted September 4, 2018 On 8/29/2018 at 8:55 AM, misterNNL said: A quick search on the net will reveal a host of images if real '37 Chevy semi tractors for those interested in seeing what the vehicles looked like. Thanks for taking some low angle photos of your model. Those give an added bit of realism your photos as so many take theirs as though the photographer is on top of a 20' ladder which is an angle real vehicles are seldom if ever seen from. Thanks!! My photos are much like my building; "learn as I go," but I do like the lower angle shots better.
BKF Posted September 4, 2018 Posted September 4, 2018 The rust on both body and interior is very convincing. Well Done!
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted September 7, 2018 Author Posted September 7, 2018 On 9/4/2018 at 7:59 PM, BKF said: The rust on both body and interior is very convincing. Well Done! Thanks! On 9/5/2018 at 9:47 AM, ChrisR said: Looks great! Thanks!
leafsprings Posted September 9, 2018 Posted September 9, 2018 Another incredible build. Looks like were looking at a real 1:1 survivor. I assume a period trailer is in the works?
Roger U Posted September 9, 2018 Posted September 9, 2018 Really nice build! Very realistic looking rust/weathering.
Ken Gilkeson Posted September 13, 2018 Posted September 13, 2018 great build, love the sepia images on flickr.
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted September 14, 2018 Author Posted September 14, 2018 On 9/9/2018 at 1:27 PM, leafsprings said: Another incredible build. Looks like were looking at a real 1:1 survivor. I assume a period trailer is in the works? Thanks!! No room for trailers right now though. On 9/9/2018 at 1:52 PM, Roger U said: Really nice build! Very realistic looking rust/weathering. Thanks so Much!! 1 hour ago, Ken Gilkeson said: great build, love the sepia images on flickr. Thanks Ken!! I like to experiment.
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted September 25, 2018 Author Posted September 25, 2018 On 9/24/2018 at 6:58 AM, DrKerry said: That is awesome!!! Thanks Kerry!! It was a learning experience!!
DrKerry Posted September 25, 2018 Posted September 25, 2018 2 hours ago, DRIPTROIT 71 said: Thanks Kerry!! It was a learning experience!! Welcome
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