AMT 1984 GMC pickup

[DJMar]

I just mocked this up today. I've worked on it sporadically over the last few years and decided to get it out of the box and see how it looks tacked together.

This is the AMT "Hot Trucks" reissue of the older MPC Fall Guy (most recently the Deserter) kit. If you've built this one before, you know the kit leaves a lot to be desired, fit-wise. My sample had a slightly warped cab back and bed sides, so I fixed those both with some sheet styrene backer to hold things in place. Also, the panel lines in the pickup box were filled in to get rid of the hideaway compartment from the TV series.

I lowered the lifted suspension by leaving out the lift blocks and cutting down the leaf spring perches. It still sits a little high but I like it. Wheels and tires are from the AMT "Hot Trucks" issue of their 1975 Blazer. The Goodyear Wrangler tires are 2 piece plastic and have minimal tread detail, but I'm going to use them. The wheels need hub detail, which I'll add with Plastruct tube and some doodads.

Paint is Reaper Master Series Volcanic Orange over gray primer, shot through an airbrush. I'll use the Reaper colors when I'm building something that I know I'm going to weather. They cover well, are dead flat and spray out nicely. They're mainly used as figure paints.

I'm thinking I might do some white bumpers to go with the white wagon wheels, because 1980s.

I stole the SBC for another project because it has the auto transmission, so this is going to be a curbside.

[av405]

Looks great! I'll be watching this one.

[DJMar]

4 hours ago, av405 said:

Looks great! I'll be watching this one.

Thanks! I think 1980s GM trucks look good no matter how you build them.

[Rod666]

The white bumpers are good idea!

[RW033]

Squarebody for the win! Looks great!

[bobss396]

Iceman Collections may have grilles for this era truck. I did a '77 GMC truck recently and opened up the grille from the back, really changed the look of it.

White bumpers for sure, maybe a step and hitch on the back bumper?

[DJMar]

21 hours ago, Rod666 said:

The white bumpers are good idea!

17 hours ago, RW033 said:

Squarebody for the win! Looks great!

Thanks, I do like this build the more I look at it. It's almost a shame I let it sit for so long, but I was a bit of a bear to get together.

 

5 hours ago, bobss396 said:

Iceman Collections may have grilles for this era truck. I did a '77 GMC truck recently and opened up the grille from the back, really changed the look of it.

White bumpers for sure, maybe a step and hitch on the back bumper?

The grille would definitely benefit from an upgrade. Iceman has the Chevy version of these grilles, I've seen those. Also, the grille in the kit has the turn signals, but the front bumper also has them. It's a mix of the older bumper ('81-'82 IIRC) with the newer ('83-up) grille, so there are a few options here to sort that out.

The rear bumper is a small step style, and I think there's a hitch on the sprue!