Dennis Raper built this model at the request of a customer from a die-cast Tonkin Pete 389 model. The customer sent him a link to a photo of the real truck that was built by the Chrome Shop Mafia guys in Joplin, Mo. Dennis says he tried to get as close as he could to it in 1/87 scale. He lengthened the frame to a 320" wheelbase, made a "billet" grille from Morton pattern brass sheet from Plano, added Plano's tread plate to the frame deck, changed the headlights to single headlamp versions, made an open "suicide" door (door hinged at the rear, opens from the front), dropped the seat to the floor, added twin "knuckle scraper" shift levers, painted the entire model flat black, shaved the horns, marker lights,and door handles, made the rear fenders from styrene sheet, and built a low-pro visor over the windshield. Dennis constructed the little diorama just take photos on. The 9 ft. Western Diamondback rattle snake and cactus were made from styrene while he was "goofing off", waiting on glue to dry...

Posted July 16, 2011