Dear V-8 Buick fans of classic pickup trucks, I ran over to Orinda Motors to get some advice on an electrical component housing I'm building as part of a headlight upgrade for my trusty wagon: Waiting in the access ramp was this absolutely beautiful pickup truck: I didn't know a thing about this line of trucks. Diamond T started out as a car manufacturer, but switched to trucks before World War I: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_T This has to be a model 201 pickup truck and comparing it to pictures on the web it appears to be from the late 1940s. Here are a few more pictures: Greg replaced the fuel tank and upgraded the fuel lines and related work. He certainly gets a diverse collection of classics to work on. What a neat advertising platform for an antique store and glad someone was able to save such a rare truck. Cheers, Edouard P.S. . . . According to Hemming's this was the "Cadillac" of 1940s pickup trucks. However, I see no reason why this truck wouldn't compare favorably to the top automotive car line - Buick! No need to degrade it by comparing it to an "inferior" line! . . . .:Brow: P.P.S. I always try to bring my camera when visiting Orinda Motors. They almost always have at least one classic getting some luv and some of the vehicles that come in are really neat!
Started out as Diamond -T then merged and became DIAMOND-REO, as in Ransom E. Olds. I think he was the black sheep of the family. Bill in TR https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_Reo_Trucks
That's a model year 1948 Diamond T :TU: Here's another photo: Hubcaps are as rare as hen's teeth :Smarty: Good to see that you are buying Dutch products (Royal Philips)! Further reading + photos :Comp:
I had completely forgotten about Diamond T. They were fairly common when I was a kid, but I haven't seen one in years. The two trucks in the photos are beautiful. Another truck name from the past that apparently has been resurrected in recent years is Sterling. They were chain-drive, and were widely used as "pit" trucks. When I was about six, I remember watching a house being built in our neighborhood. The contractor was using a real steam-powered shovel, and two Sterlings. I think that was the last time that I have ever seen a real steam shovel in operation.
Glad you liked it! (Re: The "Buick" 1940s pickup trucks? Diamond-T model 201) Dear Jerseysky66, yachtsmanbill, Erik, Mark, Tom, John, and V-8 Buick pickup truck fans, Glad you all got a kick out of this little truck! I sure am glad the owner took the time to keep it and maintain it to these high standards! :TU: Cheers, Edouard :beer
Thanks for posting that Edouard. I've known about Diamond T , and REO. I've not seen the pickup Diamond T, in person
Been pretty busy for the last few weeks, but wanted to ad some pics to this thred. Theres a hit-n-miss engine show in town every summer and this guy shows up with a TRAXON tractor on board. It was an accessory kit that went on a FORDSON unit. How do you steer tracks with a wheel?? Bill in TR 1939 Diamond T
Very nice and interesting Bill, thanks for sharing :TU: I think that it works like on a regular tractor: you can block the right or left wheel from turning so only the other wheel turns and steers you in the right direction. It looks like the front axle is solid and only moves up and down, maybe the steering wheel is only there to hold on to?
Interesting tractor, Bill. It is, most likely brake steered. The rear wheels may be on individual systems. Still would be tricky to maneuver. No sharp turns.
