Thread started by musclecarfan
Bill Newcomer@BozzerI just read the following info about Pete 359 kits. Is this your experience as well?
"The blue and white version of the Peterbilt wrecker is based on the Unilite small window cab kit and came 1972 as kit number T-522. The 1100 series cab kit did not come until 1976 and the red and white version of the wrecker is based on that 1100 series cab kit and its first issue was in 1977 as kit number T-533. It has been reissued at least 3 times before the latest which is the red and white version and it came in 2019.
The wrecker body and parts are the same between both kits but the base kit is different.
The first California Hauler 359 with the Unilite cab had kit number T500-500 and came 1969, the later brown version with the sleeper had kit number T-500 and came in 1973, and the wrecker had kit number T-522 and came 1972, both the T-500-500 and T 500 has recently been reissued (2014 and 2022) but with different kit numbers, and nothing before that.
The first 1100 series cab kit had kit number T-501 and came 1976, the wrecker had kit number T-533 and came 1977, these have been reissued several times from those dates with different kit numbers."
"The blue and white version of the Peterbilt wrecker is based on the Unilite small window cab kit and came 1972 as kit number T-522. The 1100 series cab kit did not come until 1976 and the red and white version of the wrecker is based on that 1100 series cab kit and its first issue was in 1977 as kit number T-533. It has been reissued at least 3 times before the latest which is the red and white version and it came in 2019.
The wrecker body and parts are the same between both kits but the base kit is different.
The first California Hauler 359 with the Unilite cab had kit number T500-500 and came 1969, the later brown version with the sleeper had kit number T-500 and came in 1973, and the wrecker had kit number T-522 and came 1972, both the T-500-500 and T 500 has recently been reissued (2014 and 2022) but with different kit numbers, and nothing before that.
The first 1100 series cab kit had kit number T-501 and came 1976, the wrecker had kit number T-533 and came 1977, these have been reissued several times from those dates with different kit numbers."
25 May 2023, 04:16
BozzerIt's interesting that you should mention this, because I read something similar, a few years ago. I'm aware of a cab change, but not the wrecker bed? I have been curious about the small window cab, simply because it's a neat little feature, but as yet, I've not got my hands on one. I will, but other things keep popping up. I try to follow the trend of eBay, over there, as much as over here, and I'm finding that rarer kits are selling for dirt cheap, as opposed to the newer kits being a ridiculous price? I've just picked up a sealed 1/16 Kenworth Aerodyne, for £80! That's like a £250 kit here, normally? So I'm pretty much focused on bargains at the moment. Obviously, with all my builds coming on too, and the amount of scratchbuilding I'm doing on the Bethlehem steel build, I'm busy. Not to mention that I've just cremated my eldest brother and my sister? Both died within 10 days of eachother. So, I've had a fair bit going on. That's why you haven't seen anything of the Lonestar? I'm struggling to touch it.
Back to the 359 though.
Definitely, there's a cab change. The wrecker bed, I'll try to get confirmation about that? I have a buddy over here who's a collector and I'm sure that he has the earliest wrecker? I'll find out more and let you know mate.
25 May 2023, 06:47
Bill NewcomerSorry to hear about your loss. I have a feeling I will lose my baby sister before my mom. With the cost and time required to build semis, I am trying to build one of everything I like first, before building any duplicates. Learning that there are TWO Pete 359s from AMT gives me an excuse to get the small window 359 that has just been reissued. Otherwise, I would have skipped it since I have the red and white wrecker (which will not be built as a wrecker)
27 May 2023, 04:28
BozzerI thought you might appreciate this mate. Have a read, and please share your thoughts.
31 May 2023, 17:24
Bruce HuxtableI'm so sorry to hear of your losses, Bozzer. This must be a tough time for you all.
31 May 2023, 17:36
BozzerThanks mate. It's been a kick in the nether regions, and we're still not over everything, however we're trying to get some kind of normality now. Focussing on work and model building, is my main distraction. Keeping an eye on our mum, has now become my priority though. At 89, I can't get her to swap knitting for kit building, however she can still make tea 😉
31 May 2023, 17:44
JarrettBill that blue peterbilt wrecker, the blue box art correct is the only one I cannot find sealed, I was told and if by one of you guys I am sorry I forget that people were so excited they all wanted to open the kit and check it out. My deepest thoughts and prayers to you during this difficult time Bozzer.
11 December 2023, 17:35