Peterbilt "CanDo"

[DasWiesel]

Very nice Pete! I especially like the working lights!

If you are a fan of Peterbilt-trucks and models you should take a look at that site (if you do not already know):

http://www.timstrucks.com/tim.htm

[Serioga]

Originally Posted by CrateCruncher

Serioga, thats an impressive amount of work and a beautiful model. It makes me feel good to know someone half way around the world appreciates old Pete's. (I was a Peterbilt engineer for 15 years and sometimes get sentimental.)

Hi, CrateCruncher. I'm gonna start another Peterbilt project. It will be custom with long wheel base to accept 160" sleeper, with lower suspension and plenty of extras. By the way, if you have pictures of Pete's rear low suspension brackets I would very appreciate it.

Originally Posted by CrateCruncher

Here's a piece of trivia you may already know: The reason most of the large "truck wreckers" like this have a big 63" sleeper is to add wheelbase so the front axle stays on the ground when the load is lifted. The drivers usually use them for storage, only rarely to sleep in.

Thank you, I didn't know that.

Originally Posted by DasWiesel

Very nice Pete! I especially like the working lights!

If you are a fan of Peterbilt-trucks and models you should take a look at that site (if you do not already know):

http://www.timstrucks.com/tim.htm

Thank you, Julian. I know Tim and his site.

[CrateCruncher]

Serioga, that sounds like a neat project. Unfortunately all I have are some dusty memories, no photos. The Pete Low Air suspension has been redesigned a couple of times in the last 30 years so make sure you get the right one for your era. Also, I should caution you that some of these Revell Pete kits have been "partially updated" only. They sometimes have 379 headlights/grilles but still have the 70's era 359 cab with corvette dash etc. If you want it absolutely correct stick with mid-70's American kits. The CB radio craze ("breaker 1-9 good buddy") during that time period here in the US caused an explosion in great plastic truck kits. Unfortunately, that investment hasn't been justified since here. Italeri's stuff is accurate for the late 80s -mid 90's and a good choice. I always planned to do their Pete 377A/E but never got around to it. I did more design/marketing on that model than any of the others. (More Trivia: A/E stands for Aerodynamically Enhanced). I don't know why they tooled the 378 instead of the 379. The 379 with 127" hood and flat top sleeper is the classic Pete look IMHO. The 378 was just a poor mans 379, and don't get me started on those new 389 headlights).

[Serioga]

2 CrateCruncher: See Private Message.
PS: Your Trivia is very interesting information.