Old Irish Racing Keeps on Truckin

Fill ' er Up? - Knowing what I do now and the models available, if I were to start over on building my collection, I think I would have focused on trucks; especially European trucks from the 50's and 60's.  They just have a style and elegance about them I find irresistible.  Italian trucks are some of my favorites and models done by GILA Modelli are the prides of my truck collection.  I found this one-off custom built tanker combination irresistible.

1966 Fiat 690N2 Caltex Tanker & Trailer

The popular Fiat 690 range was introduced in 1960 and was Italy's first heavy truck. It was available as a rigid 6x2/2 truck capable of pulling a trailer, or a tractor unit. Initially powered by a 11.6L Fiat diesel engine, in 1966 the N2 was introduced with a larger 12.8L six-cylinder diesel engine with 180HP. The N2 was the third series in the 690 range, with the rigid version like this truck discontinued in 1968, although tractor versions continued until 1973 when replaced with the N3. A truck in this configuration had a 50 ton load capacity. It was intended for long distance hauling and probably took some maneuvering on narrower European roads.



Caltex was formed in 1936 as a joint venture between the Chevron and Texaco oil companies. At one time, they had refineries in twenty countries. Although Caltex brand petrol stations may have existed longer in Europe, in 1967, the Caltex European interests were transferred to the individual Chevron and Texaco companies, to focus Caltex on the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Southern Africa regions. Chevron and Texaco merged in 2001 and Chevron continues to operate Caltex in those regions today.  There is an old Caltex station in rural Hawaii that I wish I had the presence of mind to have taken photos of several years ago before it more or less collapsed into itself.  It would have made a great backdrop.  Lesson learned.



The Caltex truck and trailer model was handbuilt by Italian modeller Giuseppe Alba, based on an actual Caltex truck. He used a GILA Modelli Fiat 690N2 kit and some parts from a IXO Fiat 682 tanker truck to make the custom built truck. Truly a model the late master modeler Roberto Gilardoni who started GILA Modelli would have been proud of.



Its a big model with a length of over 15" (40 cm).  Its too big for my light box, so I will have to take some photos outside once the weather improves. 

 

Here is an image of the actual rig.  I may try my hand at making the sign on the cab.

That’s a magnificent piece Jerry. It’s easy to see the attraction with these historic trucks and I hope we keep seeing more from the likes of IXO.

Stunningly good looking and interesting.

Thanks Jeff!  My interest in oil tankers started with a Dinky like this, although since my Dad was in the dairy business, it was more often than not a pretend milk tanker.  

Ecosse Blue - Several months ago I was given the SMTS Ecurie Ecosse Commer transporter kit and have been waiting for the Fall to start its build.  I have finally started early phases of the build, but not with the first kit.  I recently found a kit that had been partly started on eBay for a fraction of the value and I am building it instead.  A very well detailed model, it will take me some time to assemble the transporter.  I want to take my time, do it right.  Getting the closest match to Ecosse Blue is my immediate challenge before I start to paint body panels.  I am going to try and document my progress here.

1959 Commer TS3 Ecurie Ecosse transporter



Here are all the parts.  Its nice that SMTS were able to use the restored transporter for reference and they have listed the color that each component should be painted to be correct.  That and a host of pictures I have will be a big help!  You can see that someone did some prep work and have started to build the truck body.  Being of white metal, it is a heavy model.  I read on a forum post from someone that had built one of these kits that they soldered the cab pieces together.  Even though they had been assembled using what looks to be strong epoxy, I subsequently did the same for strength.




To figure things out, I sprayed primer on the body to see where I needed to go back and correct casting flaws, epoxy residue, etc.  I also painted the chassis.  Because the interior of the transporter is so well detailed, I decided to cut out the door on the left side.  Ideally I would like to hinge it, but the window pillar ahead of it is very thin.  Something to work out and since my modelling skills are more blacksmith than artisan like Jean, it make just have to be glued open.  Anyway, the result is intended to show the detailed workshop area of the transporter you don't see on other models (sorry the Corgi sliding door is wrong).  Early days, but I hope to have the body panels painted in the next couple weeks.  More then...

I image that’s going to weigh a tonne (or ton) when it’s finished and you’ll something pretty strong forge axles to stop them bowing with the weight.

I like the idea of displaying it with the door open to show some of the detail. I think there are quite a few pictures of it from over the years to assist how you finish it.

As for the colour, while I appreciate you want to get it exact, the other consideration is the colour of the cars you’re going to display on/with it (the Tojeiro ?). I think it will look best if it matches the cars, even if they’re not 100% accurate (unless you respray the cars to match at the same time).

A lack of skill isn't stopping me Tom!     I have that extra kit I can let go of and I am not in it that much that I could let it go for a price that wont drain your budget.  Let me know if you get the itch to build one.  I am hoping my experience will show it isn't that hard, taking more patience than skill.