Peterbilt California Hauler 359 1:25 Scale AMT Model Kit #866 Review

Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20160404*
Peterbilt California Hauler 359 1:25 Scale AMT Model Kit #866 Review

Review and Photos by Alan Mann

Peterbilt Motors Company was founded in 1939. They are an American manufacturer of medium and heavy-duty Class 5 through Class 8 Semi trucks. From the early 1960s until the mid-1980s the company was based in the San Francisco Bay Area in California, with its headquarters and main plant all in Newark California. The Newark plant closed in 1980 and manufacturing all moved to Denton TX and Madison TN. The Model 359 was Introduced 1967 as the first long-nosed conventional Peterbilt. In 1967–1972 it had the small-windowed “Unilite” cab. The first 359 was spec’d as a wrecker and sold to Coast Counties Peterbilt. In 1973, the 1100 series cab with bulkhead-style doors debuted and the distinctive “Corvette” dash added in 1977 its formal name “Dash of Class”. The 359 was in production until 1987, when it was replaced by its successor the model “379”. 1987 Peterbilt produced the “359 Classic”, a limited run of 359 trucks with numbered dash plaques. The bulkhead style doors of the 1100 series cab are still used today. The sleeper debuted on a 359-127″ and can be seen in the 1978 brochure “Best in Class”. This truck also featured the first set of rectangular headlamps. The first raised roof sleeper was on a 359 in 1986 and with changes carried through to the 379 family.

 

For the Modeler: This review covers the Round2 Kit in 1/25 Scale of the Peterbilt 359 California Hauler. This kit is a Re-release (Re-Pop) and was first seen in the early 70’s. This is released under the AMT line and is Kit #AMT866 in the current catalog. While no Skill Level is given this would be a Skill Level 3 for advanced builders. There are roughly 250 parts molded in White, Chrome, Clear and Clear Red and has Vinyl tires with Metal axles. This kit has seen life as many other kits and been the basis of quite a few other releases over the years. It is one of AMT’s more popular kits. That being said Round2 has cleaned up the molds and the parts are crisp with good detail and little flash. The assembly is detailed with a full motor, chassis and interior to assemble. The cab is one piece with the fenders separate on the hood. There is no sleeper included in the kit. The chrome is bright and details crisp. The tires are good quality and not warped. Unfortunately you get no dash decals but the body decals do give quite a few options of companies and two stripes. The instructions are typical old style AMT. Overall size is: Length: 11-1/4”, Width: 3-3/4″, Height: 6”.

Covered in this Review:  If you want to perfect your build; basic construction; preparing parts for better finishing; alternate assembly sequence suggestions for fit and ease of finishing; abrasive choices; complete paint and adhesive selections and applications; test fitting; using white glue for the window glass; front and rear suspension construction; fifth wheel detailing; shock and torsion bar placement; detailing the tires for realism; chassis construction and detailing; engine construction and detailing; fuel tank notes; interior detailing; optional finishing ideas are explained; air ride construction and installation; duallie assembly sequence; perfect accents with marking pens; detailing the turn signals and roof lights; adding blackwash detailing to the grill; detailing the dashboard with homemade decals; mirror construction sequence; installing the driveshafts; using Alclad II paint for window tinting; removing unwanted chrome plating; mounting the fuel tanks; roof accessories  map; leftover kit parts; attaching delicate parts; using floor wax to make crystal clear window glass; decal preparation and application; using decal setting solutions for that “painted on” look; are all examined in this 27 page, full-color Step-by-Step review in PDF format.

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