Peterbilt Truck Model Kits
Ever since I started building model trucks, I have always been facinated with the Peterbilt Brand, the trucks always seamed a Class above the others. I have built many Peterbilts
as you can see below covering all the different model manufaturers including AMT
, AMT/Matchbox
, AMT/Ertl
, Revell
, Revell Germany
, and Italeri
. by far my Favorite kit is the Italeri Peterbilt 377
, and the Revell Germany Peterbilt Stepps wrecker
. With all the different versions of the Peterbilt
truck line out there there are endless possabilities when building.
Peterbilt 377
Peterbilt's aerodynamically-designed conventional model kit with a fiberglass hood and headlights incorporated into the fenders. Available in set forward front axle (SFFA) and set back front axle (SBFA) configurations. Model Kit was available from 1987 until 2000. Replaced by the 387 in theory but continued as a 385-120.
- - 377 with Dry Goods Van
- - 377 with Curtain Side Trailer
- - 377 Tri Axle Wrecker
- - 377 Massive Sleeper with Extendable Trailer
- - 377 Speedy Trucking
- - 377 Day Cab Freight United Doubles
- - 377 Frustrated Trucking
- - 377 378 combo
- - 377 Daycab show truck
- - 377 NRC Quick Swap wrecker
Peterbilt 378
Peterbilt's aerodynamically-designed conventional with a fiberglass hood and headlights incorporated into the fenders. Available in set forward front axle (SFFA) and set back front axle (SBFA) configurations. Available 1987 until 2000. Replaced by the 387 in theory but continued as a 385-120.
- - 378 Frustrated Trucking
- - 378 Flatbed trailer
- - 378 Flatbed Show Truck
- - 378 Wrecker
- - 378 Big Sleeper Helicopter Hauler
- - 378 CAT Service Truck with Mobile Repair Trailer
- - 378 Tri Axle Knuckle Boom
Peterbilt 359
Introduced 1967 this was the first long-nosed conventional Peter. (289 single drive). 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 the1100 series cab with bulkhead-style doors debuted (late 1972) Distinctive "Corvette" dash added 1977. 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.
Other avalable Peterbilt Truck Kits
| While Amt, Revell, Revell of Germany, and Italeri all have offered many different versions of there Peterbilt Kit, At this time there are only 5 avalable. | |
|---|---|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|---|
Peterbilt History
In the early part of the 20th century, Tacoma, Washington plywood manufacturer and lumber entrepreneur T.A. Peterman was faced with a lumber logistics problem.
He couldn't get freshly felled logs from the forest to his lumber mill quickly,or efficiently.In order to develop forest assets,
it would be necessary to improve upon the contrived methods of the day: floating logs down river, or the use of steam tractors, and even horse teams.
Peterman knew that if he could develop the then nascent automobile technology and build trucks, he could go a long way towards solving his problem.
To this end,
he was rebuilding surplus army trucks, improving the technology with each successive vehicle. Shortly thereafter, he purchased the assets of Fageol Motors of Oakland,
Californiain 1938 in order to supplement his need for a custom built logging truck chassis. Fageol had gone into receivership in 1932.By 1938, the Great Depression
had driven the value of the assets to nearly zero.Peterman acquired the defunct truck manufacturer and began to produce customized chain-drive trucks for exclusive use
by his timber concern. In 1939, he began to sell his remarkable trucks to the public. T. A. Peterman died in 1945. His wife Ida, sold the company to seven individuals
within the organization (management) less the land. They expanded it into a serious producer of heavy-duty trucks. In 1958, Ida Peterman announced plans to sell the land
to develop a shopping center.The shareholders, not having the desire to invest in a new manufacturing facility, sold it to PACCAR. PACCAR (Pacific Car & Foundry Co), then
primarily a manufacturer of railroad freight cars, was looking to expand into truck manufacturing. PACCAR, which had acquired the assets of Kenworth in 1945, was already
an up and coming player in the heavy truck market.





