When thinking about old trucks, Diamond T is not likely to come to mind at the same time as Ford, Chevy and Mack. Founded in Chicago in 1905, Diamond T was originally a manufacturer of automobiles. After a four-year run of cars from 1907-’11 with meager results, founder C.A. Tilt turned his attention to commercial vehicles and trucks. Diamond T would quickly gain a reputation for building rugged trucks, in impressive quantities, to serve the transport industry as well as the military.
This Chicago area oil truck was available in the May 1978 issue of Hemmings Motor News. From the seller’s description:
1935 Diamond T oil truck, short style, 22-feet long x 6-1/2 feet high. Running with excellent tires and hose, the truck is complete with pumps and meter in good running condition. Last used in 1974, always stored indoors. Spare parts included. $2,750, Berwyn, Illinois.
The asking price would equate to $10,000 today and this oil truck is just one of many different commercial vehicles Diamond T would build. We’ve seen all types over the years in Hemmings, ranging from military vehicles used to transport tanks during WWII to auto wreckers. We’ve also seen our fair share of modified T’s such as popcorn wagons and this Shell Oil tanker truck.
Of course, Diamond T fans are also well aware of their rugged light-duty pickup trucks (Model 80 and Model 201), produced from 1936-’49. After WWII, Diamond T’s model line expanded to over a dozen trucks ranging from the 201 pickup to the 910 diesel. Most T’s were powered by the Hercules QX series as well as Continental engines. Tilt would retire from the company in 1946 and the company would eventually be purchased by White and merge with Reo to form Diamond Reo Trucks in 1966. Over a quarter million Diamond T’s were produced during the company’s history.
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