1941 Autocar U60

[RoninUtah]

Over the years, I've probably accumulated over half of the AITM catalogue, first from the late Dave Natalie (one of the finest people I've ever met in this hobby) and then Doug Wagner when he purchased the company from Dave. For those who don't know, American Industrial Truck Models, or AITM for short, had a wide variety of cast resin truck cab conversions, as well as parts and complete kits. They focused on American trucks from the late 1930s through the 60s, specializing in Mack, but they also offered just about every other brand out there. They closed down about a year ago; every once in a while one of their kits will pop up, but they are few and far between and priced accordingly. 

One of the ones that alway eluded me was this one, an Autocar U-series COE. These trucks were offered from about 1935 through the early 50s, and a modified version helped win WWII. They were tough trucks; from 1939 on the heaviest models were powered by Cummins diesels.  Here is the original AITM catalogue page:

And this is one of the reference photos I'm using- as you can see, it's a brute of a truck.

Unfortunately, this kit was not available neither when Dave nor when Doug was running the AITM site, apparently there was a problem with the mold by then. So when I saw this on the Sourkraut Truck Models site, and at a relatively reasonable price, I jumped on it.

It's a typical AITM conversion kit- cab, tub, dash, other resin parts, a "pewter pack" with accessories, another pack of small resin parts, a sheet of clear styrene for the glass, some decals, and a brief instruction/ glass template sheet. The only thing missing was the steering wheel, but I've got a few extra AITM steering wheels in my stash so that's no problem. Here it is, after I washed the resin to remove any residual mold release, dust and fingerprints.

For a donor, I found an old Ford C-series kit on eBay for $20; the box was crushed but all the parts seemed to be undamaged and in their bags. This is an original AMT kit, not a Round 2 repop, not that it makes any difference.

So, I built as much of the chassis as I wanted to, and added a 3-D printed fuel tank to match the reference photo. For wheels, I had the right 6-spoke rear wheels in my stash, but I didn't have any proper 6-spoke fronts. I remembered that I had some on my '59 Diamond T conventional (another AITM conversion; I actually bought it from Dave's brother). The Diamond T agreed to give them up in trade for a set of 5-hole Alcoas, also period-correct for that truck. I printed some up (thanks again, Jurgen!), painted them and made the swap.  

Here is the Autocar, primed and mocked up on the Ford chassis, in the model truck maintenance facility on my kitchen counter. I'm using the Ford engine bottom and back, as well as the transmission, for the parts you'll see. These early COES did not have tilt cabs; as far as I know the earliest US. tilt cab COE was the White 3000 in 1950. This cab actually is fitting very nicely on the Ford chassis.

The Diamond T with its shiny new Alcoas is next to the Autocar,

Next is paint. I'm dreading it.

Thanks for following!

[Old Buckaroo]

Now that is a impressive truck. That Ford chassis has been perfect for a lot of those oldies.  Ive always liked the original AMT kits over the round two, I like the harder plastic. The new ones remind me of rubber maid plastic when you cut or try sanding it.  Have you decided on a color yet ?

Keep up the great work 👍

[Biggu]

Wow Ron!!! This is just a bit cool!!!! I am in for this.  What a cool build this will be. Autocar built some very stout trucks and this one is no different. I am excited to see what you do with this. I miss AITM too. 

[RoninUtah]

42 minutes ago, Old Buckaroo said:

Have you decided on a color yet ?

Thanks! the cab swill be a butterscotch yellow, with a green chassis and fenders. I wanted to do cream and green, but my cream paint is 2 years old, and my local hobby shop is out. And I’m too impatient to wait to order some online. Actually, I think the butterscotch/ marigold yellow will look great.
 

I might build the C-cab, just for the hell of it. Maybe replace my old one…

[RoninUtah]

39 minutes ago, Biggu said:

Wow Ron!!! This is just a bit cool!!!! I am in for this.  What a cool build this will be. Autocar built some very stout trucks and this one is no different. I am excited to see what you do with this. I miss AITM too. 

Thanks, buddy! Unfortunately, this won’t be nearly as detailed as your stuff. There are very few useful reference photos of this truck, so I’m more or less winging it. Just trying to make something that will look cool on the shelf.

[Biggu]

1 minute ago, RoninUtah said:

Thanks, buddy! Unfortunately, this won’t be nearly as detailed as your stuff. There are very few useful reference photos of this truck, so I’m more or less winging it. Just trying to make something that will look cool on the shelf.

Don’t sell yourself short, pal, this is very unique and will come together beautifully. Takes a lot of talent to do these conversions. It is a very interesting rare subject.  I will be checking in for updates. …. I’m in the front row. 

[Jürgen M.]

Hey Ron, nice build Idea! I'm also a fan of old and rare trucks. My next build will show but it's a surprise! 

No hints till I finish the trailer for my Pete! 

I'm anxious to see this one painted. Sounds really authentic what you have planned!

[BK9300]

This will make a unique addition to your built collection!

[RoninUtah]

10 hours ago, Jürgen M. said:

My next build will show but it's a surprise! 

No hints till I finish the trailer for my Pete! 

Can't wait to see it!

[Chariots of Fire]

Looking to see this for sure.  I did the earlier Autocar cab as a WW II piece.  Cool looking trucks.

[RoninUtah]

That looks great! Thanks for sharing it.

[gotnitro?]

Good looking Autocar ! 

Good tip using the Ford as a donor 

[Gary Chastain]

Oh, man, this is gonna be a cool build. 

[RoninUtah]

14 hours ago, gotnitro? said:

Good looking Autocar ! 

Good tip using the Ford as a donor 

 

16 minutes ago, Gary Chastain said:

Oh, man, this is gonna be a cool build. 

Thanks, Jeff B. and Gary!

 

[RoninUtah]

As I predicted, painting was kind of a disaster. Entirely due to my impatience.

I had my heart set on a cream and green color combo, one of my favorite classic combos.  So, I set up my airbrush and shot a coat of Testors cream onto the cab, tub and dash, from the tiny bottle, slightly thinned down. 

Big mistake.

Although I usually have excellent results with these paints, this one was about two or three years old and had started to separate. It shot uneven and too thin, with almost no coverage and running away from the high points. I gave up and cleaned off the cream as best I could, let it dry (not long enough, as it turned out) and then hit it with a Rustoleum rattle can of Marigold Yellow. I've used this paint before, and liked its results.  Well, this time, since the thinner I used to clean off the Testors paint hadn't dried completely, the spray didn't cover evenly- too thick, except where the thinner had accumulated, such as door grooves and changes of geometry. I let it dry a little and hit it again, and it was somewhat better.

Meanwhile, I used Humbrol green enamel for the chassis. It's a good, tough paint but it takes forever to dry. It shot reasonably well, but wound up kinda thick in some places and thin in others.

So, three days later, I'm still waiting around for this mess to dry. I can eventually salvage it, I think, but it will take some careful retouching here and there to pull it off.

[sigh] I need to learn to be more patient!

[BK9300]

Sorry to hear - very frustrating, but sounds like you have it in hand!  Would you ever consider using lacquer paints?  I had never used them before my current build - tried both Tamiya lacquer spray cans and Model Car World bottled lacquer for air brush - and swear by them now.

Edited December 10, 2024 by BK9300

[Biggu]

Ron,,, I used the Humbrol gloss green enamel on my Hayes conversion…. You are so right the paint takes days to dry, it took so long I actually thought I had used the wrong thinner, but alas it did dry and is beautiful paint ……. Now let’s discuss those little tinlets 🤬🤬……….. looking forward to seeing how the paint comes out. …..

[RoninUtah]

1 hour ago, BK9300 said:

Would you ever consider using lacquer paints?  I had never used them before my current build - tried both Tamiya lacquer spray cans and Model Car World bottled lacquer for air brush - and swear by them now.

Thanks! I’ve had good results with the Tamiya lacquer rattlecans too, but I need to pick up some lacquer thinner. I usually decant a little from the spray can for touch-ups, and need the thinner to clean my brushes after.

[RoninUtah]

6 minutes ago, Biggu said:

I used the Humbrol gloss green enamel on my Hayes conversion….

Thanks, Jeff! I guess great minds think alike!

[RoninUtah]

I judged the yellow paint on the cab to be dry enough to do the green details.  I think it looks pretty decent- a few fish-eyes to battle, and both the yellow and green will require some touch-up before all is said and done. Did a second coat of green on the chassis and wheels as well. The vertical grille bars will be chrome, as will the windshield frames. The windshield cranked open from the inside, so the rubber gaskets were actually on the outer edges, not the inner.

Now I wait another 3 days before I can do anything more!

[Biggu]

That color combo is really sweet ! Looks period correct. Even the green grille doesn’t look out of place, green or chrome either  would be excellent. This is going to be a cracker !! Keep going , you’re over coming the bumps …..

[Jürgen M.]

Looks really cool Ron! Sorry to hear about the unlucky Paintjob but you managed IT like a pro!

Keep going! 👍

 

[Gary Chastain]

Lookin good

[DRIPTROIT 71]

I like the colors!!

[RoninUtah]

On 12/11/2024 at 9:09 AM, DRIPTROIT 71 said:

I like the colors!!

Thanks! Didn't you do one of these a couple of years or so back? I seem to remember that it was amazing, as usual for your builds.