1960 Chevy Fleetside Pickup

[70 Sting]

 

I don't have many good things to say about this kit. The list of issues is lengthy resulting in a less than enjoyable build.

Body colour is Tamiya TS-41 Coral Blue, roof and bumpers are White Primer cleared with Pearl and Semi Gloss respectively.  Chrome trim is decanted Revell Chrome Spray.  Interior is Tamiya XF-19 Sky Grey.  Wheels are kit chrome cleared with Semi Gloss and a light application of Tamiya Panel Liner.

 

Negative:

Chassis frame and interior tub were warped (badly). Used a heat gun to straighten them as best I could. The steering wheel was warped, too.

Required air bit of sanding to make the roof and hood fit flush to the body.

Most of the individual suspension parts had to have the mounting holes widened or locator pins sanded down.

Spent far too much time cleaning and prepping parts in this kit.

Firewall (separate part) had sizeable gaps on each side when installed... filled those with putty.

Could not squeeze the interior tub inside the body (an issue with this kit, made worse with the warpage) - had to cut the back panel off the tub to get it all the way up.  It can't be seen when installed.

Body, truck bed and chassis install was no picnic... had to cut off the locator pins on the chassis as they were not gonna line-up.

Due to all the issues attaching the interior tub and body to the chassis, the front end sat way too high.  I had to cut off the front of the frame and mount the front wheels with a 1/8" offset to get all 4 touching the ground... resulting in a weird stance.  :^(

Decals broke apart and wouldn’t stick.

 

Some Positive:

Opened up the front grill which was easily done grinding only from the inside.

Added small brackets to the firewall for magnets to keep the hood in place as it sits quite loose if you choose the hood closed option (kit comes with hinges for hood open option).

First attempt at wood grain on the truck bed. The grain turned out ok, I went too dark with the colour (IMO), but a good learning lesson.

Wired the engine with a Yamamoto distributer and wires.

First time using Revell Chrome Spray. The stuff is definitely the most chrome looking product I've tried.  I decanted and thinned it 1:1 with Mr. Levelling thinner (a must at that price!).  From all I've read it cannot be cleared with any product.  It seems to hold up to minor handling, though I wore off much of the shine while struggling with final assembly. 

 

Conclusion:

With the price of kits and supplies in Canada, it wouldn't been right to trash it.  Over all, I'm glad I didn't mail it in as it makes a decent 10-footer.

 

 

[thatz4u]

nice build of a difficult kit, well done

[Watertown]

Love it. Nice detailing, subtle, yet attention getting. Nicely done!

[Bob Ellis]

Despite the negatives said, you built a great model

[Jim B]

You fought the good fight & came out on top.  Very well done.

[happy grumpy]

Well you built a very nice little truck there Harry. Everything is so clean. Despite all the troubles, you ended up with a real nice Chevy.

[radiohd10]

love it!  the required work doesn't make me want to build one but the results certainly do.  awesome job!

[Mr. Metallic]

Nice clean build despite all your troubles with it.

How come you didn't get replacement parts from Round2? I hear their customer service is really good.

Edited April 25, 2024 by Mr. Metallic

[espo]

Even with all of the mentioned problems the final build looks great, and I don't think anyone, other than someone who has also built this model would know of the problems. Beautiful looking paint and body trim. Like the well detailed engine. Found much the same problems and the interior issue seems to require gluing the back side of the cab after installing the interior. Fought the same battle since I wanted the rear cab seem to disappear.  

[Zippi]

Sweet looking pickup.

[Dragonhawk1066]

It looks excellent! One would have never suspected any issues seeing the finished product!

[karbuildr]

I'm not a truck builder, but that's gorgeous.

[PappyD340]

Looks fantastic!

[Kah puts]

That’s a real cherry of a build, after the mud the blood and the beer fight we all like it, bravo ?

[Yeah Nah]

In spite of the trials you produced a nice model Harry. I've got this kit in my stash so thanks for the heads up on it's faults.

[Mike Slapattack]

Beautiful work!

[louis Carabott]

Nice work Sir ?

[bobss396]

I have one I put away 20 years ago, converted it to a tow truck. I had issues like you did with getting the roof to look decent. I will call the engine very well detailed for something that comes out of a kit. I recently dug it up again, it will be back in work soon.

[o-man]

For it to be such a pain, it turned out great

[slusher]

Great looking Chevy' Builds like this helps build patience "..

[Camaro lover]

Your perseverance paid off. Look fantastic. 

[XYHARRY]

Well done Harry, I would have to say this is the best cab to bed allighnment of a fleetside I have ever seen. Paint and detail is perfect. Thanks for sharing. 

Cheers, 

David. ??

[70 Sting]

On 4/25/2024 at 1:09 PM, happy grumpy said:

Well you built a very nice little truck there Harry. Everything is so clean. Despite all the troubles, you ended up with a real nice Chevy.

Thanks grumpy.  With the price we pay for kits here in Canada, it wouldn’t be right to just ‘mail it in.’

[70 Sting]

On 4/25/2024 at 1:31 PM, radiohd10 said:

love it!  the required work doesn't make me want to build one but the results certainly do.  awesome job!

I have heard good things about this kit, maybe I got a sample made on a Monday. 

[70 Sting]

On 4/25/2024 at 2:44 PM, Mr. Metallic said:

Nice clean build despite all your troubles with it.

How come you didn't get replacement parts from Round2? I hear their customer service is really good.

Hmm, hadn't considered contacting them. With the price of shipping these days, I probably could have purchased a brand new kit.