Choosing a Semi Truck Model Kit: With Average Prices

Semi truck model building continues to grow in popularity among model enthusiasts. Some of us drive them, we all drive with them on the roads, and we know semi truck drivers. I remember looking up to the big rig drivers when I was a kid on the farm driving our bobtail hay and potato trucks.

I was amazed how they could easily handle a rig that is over 70 feet in length on the busiest highways and maneuver them around through city traffic and in tight loading and unloading docks.

I have a lot of respect for someone who is willing to live their life on the road for weeks at a time to keep our country going. These men and women are real front liners in my book.

This is a list of some of the most popular selling model trucks over the years. These can be hard to find, but you can usually track them down eventually. These are the best semi truck models with approximate prices (these can change based on availability and market):

AMT 1:25 Mack Semi Tractor: $35-40 Range

I had a close friend growing up and this was his all time favorite truck. Mack trucks have their own engine line including the MP10 engine that has 605 horsepower and 2,060 lb. -ft. of torque. These awesome trucks are still American made with American parts which is something they are proud of.

The Mack R685ST tractor is a super-detailed big rig that has all the great parts truck modelers want including the wheel options that have been left out of previous releases.

It has been spruced up with expanded and improved decals, and features fantastic Retro Deluxe™ vintage packaging to boot.  

This kit is a skill level 3, with over 200 parts molded in white. Super-detailed engine, chassis and interior.

Glue and paint required for assembly. Recommended for ages 10 and over.

Hobby Boss Vehicle Model Building Kit: $100-120 Range

If you like driving big rigs imagine yourself driving this tractor and trailer. Then imagine driving it with mortars going off around you as you are going down that sandy road in the Gulf. I have a couple of friends at work who have done that and lived to tell about it.

The Oshkosh M1070 is a U.S. Army tank transporter tractor unit. It currently has in service the A0 and A1 configurations. The tractor is coupled to a M1000 semi trailer. The primary purpose of this combination is the transport of the M1 Abrams tank.

This huge rig is powered by a 500 horsepower Detroit diesel engine or a 7000 horsepower Caterpillar with a 5 speed or 7 speed Allison automatic transmission.

The E-HETS consists of a tractor and semi-trailer to transport, recover, and evacuate an 80+ ton combat loaded M1 Abrams which is anticipated to weigh more than 84 tons.

This truck has over 1447 parts built to 1/35 armor scale, with photo-etch detail parts included. Decals and color painting guide for 2 typical vehicles. The perfect companion kit for your ultimate M1 Abrams project.

This kit features highly detailed chassis with intricate driveline, 1st and 4th axle wheels, full cab interior, pivoting 5th wheel coupling and excellent winch with control panel.

This is a skill level 4 for ages 14 and older.

AMT Peterbilt 359 California Hauler: $85-95 Range

This rig will bring back a lot of memories for those of you who are around my age. There were a lot of these rigs sold in the sixties that were used for every kind of work imaginable. The ones I remember driving did not have power steering so you had to get strong real quick.

Resurrected from the late 1960s, it’s the long sought after Peterbilt 359 California hauler conventional semi-truck 1:25 Scale Model Kit.

The tooling for this model was thought to be destroyed, now rediscovered and built again. This rig measures 11 1/4-inches long when assembled.

Featuring over 250 parts, more than 70 of them plated, this kit includes 10 hollow vinyl Firestone truck tires, dual rear axles with Stabilaire suspension, and a decal sheet with optional stripes.

The vintage style packaging is a great reproduction of the original. Paint and glue required, not included.

Skill level 3 so recommended for ages 12 and up.

Revell Peterbilt 359 Conventional Tractor: $25-30 Range

Peterbuilt discontinued manufacturing of the 359 model in 1987 after 20 years of production. There were always lots of complaints of the rough ride and some electrical issues. Still this rig has always had a loyal following so be careful what you say and where you say as you will always find Peterbuilt fans in any crowd.

This is a very authentic replica of the Peterbuilt 359 built from high-quality plastic parts with the highest level of detail and accuracy by Revell which is one of my favorite model builders.

Tilting hood reveals the highly detailed 6-cylinder turbocharged CAT diesel engine with realistic bedding on the bed in the sleeper.

Plenty of chrome including fuel tanks, stacks, mirrors with antennas, grille and bumper, and steps with crosshatch detail.

Simulated high mileage radial tires and alloy Reynolds wheels make this rig shine.

Molded in white and clear, with water-slide decals to give it that authentic look. Paint and glue required which are sold separately .

Recommended for ages 10 and older.

Revell Kenworth W900: $60-70 Range

Its hard to believe that Kenworth started building the W900 in 1961. That is almost sixty years of producing the same model which is unheard of in the industry. If you have a good thing going keep building on it. This has always been a staple of the Kenworth lineup of tractors and will be for many more years.

This Kenworth W-900 is a very detailed model kit for intermediate to advanced model builders as it is a skill level five with over 230 pieces.

Comes with beautiful water-slide decals to customize to your liking. You will need glue and paints to complete.

Illustrated multilingual assembly instructions that include extensive instructions. Recommended for ages 12 and older.

AMT White Freightliner 2-in-1 SC/DD Cabover: $35-40 Range

If you’ve ever driven a cab over semi before you know that its a totally different experience than driving a conventional. You are sitting right on top of the road with nothing out in front of you.

I drove one here in Idaho for a couple of years and I often wondered what would happen if the cab came unlatched when I used the brakes. I’ve never heard of that happening to anyone so don’t you start worrying about it.

The model builders at AMT have pulled out all the stops for the 75th Anniversary of this White Freightliner. It is a very special release of the ever-popular semi tractor.

This kit includes all the parts necessary for the modeler to build it with single drive/day cab, R dual drive/sleeper cab configuration. Never before offered with these options together in one kit, this model exudes what it means to be Retro Deluxe.

Also featured is a new decal sheet with multiple stripe and graphic options, none of which have been included in any previous single or double-drive release of the kit.

This super-detailed semi will come in spectacular 75th anniversary packaging with new retro-style illustrations from veteran AMT artist, Don Greer.

This is built in 1/25 scale, Skill level 3, paint and cement required. Molded in white with over 250 parts and illustrated instructions. Recommended for ages 12 and older. 

AMT White Western Star Coca-Cola Semi-Tractor: $45-50 Range

Western Star is an American truck manufacturer headquartered in Portland, Oregon and is a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America. They started building trucks in 1967 and are still going strong today.

You pass Western Stars on the freeway a lot as they are a very popular selling semi. I had the opportunity to drive one for a few months back in the seventies and it was a comfortable and easy to drive truck.

Nothing is as rewarding as assembling a 250-part vehicle from scratch. Give it a try with this classic Coca-Cola hauler. It is designed for skill levels 3 and higher.

When built, this 1/25 scale semi-truck tractor will look exactly like the original, complete with authentic Coke decals and intricately detailed parts.

This model truck kit is a vintage rarity that is becoming a classic. It comes in collectible AMT/Coca-Cola illustrated packaging for an added touch of authenticity.

Paint and glue required to finish this kit. Recommended for ages 12 and older.

AMT Autocar Dump Truck: $40-45 Range 

I owned an Auto constructor when I had a potato farm here in Idaho. It was a tall rugged truck with a 3208 Cat and a 13 speed transmission. I bought it from a dealer who brought ten of them to Idaho from the O’Hare airport in Chicago. They are a very well built workhorse and we got a lot of use out of it. This dump truck model reminds me a lot of the one I owned.

Here is your chance to build a replica dump truck. Give it a try with this classic Autocar dump truck. It’s designed for skill levels 3, since 300+ parts are provided. Paint and cement are not included.

Has a great authentic look and once built this 1/25 scale dump truck will look exactly like the original, complete with a “heated” working dump body, special front fender assembly, an opening hood an expanded multi-option decal sheet.

This model truck kit is a vintage rarity that is back by popular demand! It comes in beautiful reproduction AMT vintage packaging for added authenticity.

 AMT Peterbilt 359 Wrecker Model Kit: $45-50 Range

If you have never watched a big wrecker truck doing its job, I suggest you look up some videos on youtube and see what kind of work they do. It’s amazing to see these trucks pull trucks that have tipped over back up on their wheels and then lift the front end up and tow them in. It’s pretty amazing what these unsung heroes of our society do.

With this kit you will build a replica recovery tow truck. Nothing is as rewarding as putting together a vehicle from scratch. Give it a try with the classic Peterbilt 359 Wrecker. It is designed for intermediate to advanced skill levels, since it comes with over 250 parts.

Once this rig is built, the 1/25 scale breakdown truck will look exactly like the original, complete with a fully detailed cab, engine, interior and chassis. Also included are newly tooled tires with pad-printed Firestone sidewalls.

This model wrecker kit is a rarity and could become a collectors item. Its special features include loads of chrome components, a custom wrecker body and 2-piece telescoping boom.

Also included is a colorful new decal sheet. The kit comes in vintage-style packaging for added authenticity.

Recommended for ages 12 and older.

Mack Semi Tractor: $40-45 Range

What more can you say about Mack trucks. They are awesome hard working trucks and you will find a lot of them from the sixties still working their jobs today. Nothing says America like a Mack truck with an American flag paint job.

This classic Mack DM800 Semi kit is made by MPC so we know it will be good. MPC makes their kits to a very accurate scale model.

This kit includes detailed instructions and water-slide decals to give it that real life like feel.

Requires paint and glue to assemble and is recommended for ages ten and over.

MOEBIUS 2010 International Lonestar: $70-75 Range

The first time i passed one of these on the freeway I had to do a double take. What an awesome different look for a conventional truck. There isn’t anything else like it on the road, they are great looking and manufactured by International Harvester so you know they are built tough.

This International Lonestar is one heavy duty upscale semi truck. Over 300 pieces! If there is anything that can be called a land yacht, this is it!

The most upscale semi out there. The 2010 version contains the most up to date drive train offered by International at the time.

Great model that will give hours of entertainment. Glue and paint required. Recommended for ages 10 and older.

AMT Kenworth Custom Drag Truck (Tyrone Malone): $50-55 Range

Tyrone Malone appeared at drag strips across the country to do burnouts, spin donuts, and make quarter mile exhibition runs. This rig is powered by a V12 twin turbo Detroit making 1300 horsepower. It has been clocked at 144 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats and can reach 112 mph in the quarter mile.

This life like kenworth 1/25 scale model is a skill level 3. Paint and cement are required to build this kit. This truck is molded in black, with chrome and clear parts.

Authentic replica of Tyrone Malone’s Kenworth drag truck. Kit comes with authentic colorful water- slide decals and special drag racing tires in soft vinyl.

Vintage-style AMT packaging. Recommended for ages 10 and older.

Italeri Australian Truck: $70-75 Range

This will be a great chance to do an unusual international model. Outback truckers now have their own television series and there are a lot of interesting stories for them to tell us. Watch a few of their adventures while you are building this model.

This is an imported Italeri brand plastic 1/24 scale Australian semi truck. It’s for Modelers ages 10 and over.

Australian outback truckers cover enormous distances on rugged and unsealed roads equip their rigs with special modifications. They include a huge bull-bar, a sheet of wire mesh for windscreen protection, special dust filters, additional long range fuel tanks, heavy duty wheels, air-conditioning, and an array of different driving lights.

This kit features plastic pieces molded in green, light Gray, silver, black, and brown parts, plus chrome and clear parts.

Multiple lights on roof with two horns. Ten authenticly treaded tires with silver mags. Water slide decals include green striping, words road and train, plus plates and a dashboard console with circular panels.

Very detailed pictorial instructions will help you build this intricate model.

Trucks, Trucks, Trucks, pick one and start building! Happy Modeling!

Helpful Tips for Modeling

Choose a model that corresponds to the level you feel you are at. Each package box gives an indication (Skill level 1 through 5) as to how challenging a model is to make. We’d also recommend you consult the staff at your local hobby shop/dealer for additional guidance, and for useful accessories that can help make building easier.

For a perfect fit– cut off the parts – do not break them off: There is a big danger of damaging parts, especially small ones, if you just break them off their sprue. Save yourself the frustration and separate them with a side cutter or with a knife (on a suitable surface); then you can immediately remove residues of the waste material. We recommend using a cutting mat as this protects your work surface and keeps knife blades sharper for longer.

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