I’ve just been hired by a local museum to do research and restoration work on a 1939 Diamond T truck with a bus body. This vehicle has an extensive local history, being used for door to door grocery sales in the 1940s, 50s and early 60s.It was one of several vehicles owned and operated by a local grocer. My first requirement is information on the restoration or leads for purchase of replacem... »
Hey! This may be old news to some of you, but was news to me, apparently Andy Rooney drove a Diamond T during WWII. I got the info from the book, “My War.” Just thought it was interesting…. My War by Andrew A. Rooney The author recounts his experiences as a young reporter to “Stars and Stripes,” the American forces’ daily newspaper in Europe, including his perso... »
Here is a tantalizing tidbit… Apparently after WWII, North Korea couldn’t get permission or didn’t have the capital to import heavy equipment such as Russian tractors and specifically, American Diamond T trucks – so they simply disassembled them and copied them without license. If this is true, it may mean that there are still counterfeit Diamond T trucks out there (at least in Korea).... »
I assume you diehards have the info, but just in case some don’t, the 1948 Woodie from Wisconsin is on the auction at Atlantic City. The auction is a Kruse sale and runs Feb 24-27. »
My Granddad bought a brand new red Diamond T pickup in 1948 and used it as his farm truck in Goshen Ind. until 1970. I remember hauling calves and hogs to and from Shipsewauna auction with a feed sack in the back window because a calf had kicked out the glass. My uncle has stored it on the home place since then. He told me this fall I could restore it if he could have a ride. It is rusted, dirty, ... »
After years of searching for a better grille i have finally decided to bite the bullet and have mine fixed.The nice thing about a 36 grille is…….nothing actually.They dont come apart.Short story,big price.$1600 to fix and chrome.With the exeption of the paint i have restored the truck myself so i guess i shouldnt complain to much.Its the end result i am looking for,not the cost…&... »
“A truck doesn’t have to be homely,” C.A.Tilt always claimed. He was right dead right. Tilt was president of the Diamond T Motor Car Company Chicago and he believed that passenger car styling and comfort features had a big place in the truck world. It was a novel concept at the time when trucks were angular and as beautiful as cast iron could make them. Putting his theories to work Tilt evolved a ... »
I received some info from Leroy that was typed up by Lon Arbergust some time back and I thought I would pass it on to you. The original name given to Diamond T Trucks was “The Nations Freight Car” Please click read more(or discuss) for the rest of the article….. In the late 1880 Mr. J.E. Tilt of Chicago was a shoe manufacturer. Mr. Tilt had several shoe stores and around 150 employees. The s... »
I found this onfo on the a ATCA Bulletin Board and thought I better pass it on. We have a large garage full of disassmbled REO trucks. All seem to be pre-WW2. Maybe even chain drive models. Axles (front and rear), wheels, engines, gearboxes, steering, wheels, radiators, cowlings, etc. etc. They had belonged to a family run lumber company, and everytime they “de-commissioned” a truck, t... »
Go to the website www.armybooks.com They have a book on 56 Years of Diamond T. Basically a compilation of old advertising, but fun to look at nonetheless. It gives you quite a bit of information on vairants, model numbers, cab options, etc. About $48 with shipping. Looks like a limited production of 1000 copies, and whoever made it , looks like they are planning a Volume 2. »