The Cadillac of Trucks

Priced 25 percent higher than Ford, Dodge and Chevy trucks of the day, this Diamond-T has a class all its own.

[@1984xlx]

It's a crying shame to see that beautiful old truck rusting away. I sure hope someone with the resources sees this video and rescues it.

[@MiamiMillionaire]

Yes, I thought exactly the same

[@lelandthomosoniii4743]

Then buy it and start saving it everybody's just hot air!!!

[@MiamiMillionaire]

@@lelandthomosoniii4743 wouldn't be worth it i live too far away

[@1984xlx]

@@lelandthomosoniii4743 If I was wealthy enough, I surely would. But I'm not, I'm just hoping someone else is.

[@BruceLee-xn3nn]

Maybe that's why he's making videos to bring in buyers.

[@joshuagibson2520]

Wish I knew in the 80s and 90s what I know now.

[@Welcometofacsistube]

I was in auto wreckers before I had my driver's license. The amount of rare, salvageable cars I saw would make any man weep

[@privateprivate1865]

This is a simple but top comment without a doubt.

[@lilmike2710]

Me too. Then I'd have known how dumb I was.

[@saddletramp6935]

Don't we all. Cars , trucks motercycles ... guitars.

[@samholdsworth420]

Back to the Future amirite?

[@ericcranston8158]

I am the proud owner of 4 Diamond T's. They are getting as rare as Mack Jrs...

[@RaymondWillbanks]

The year was 1966, I was 19 years old and 15 months out of high school. I was hired by the power company. I was assigned to the power line construction division. I was put on a Diamond - T truck, with a A - Frame derrick. The truck driver drove and set the truck in position at the job site. The foreman road in the passenger side of cab. The remaining members road in the back year around. This brought back fond memories, Thanks

[@DiamondTTrucks]

Love the video Steve, thanks for making it. Worth noting, that truck is the more rare, valuable and better equipped 'Deluxe" model (as opposed to Standard)., having more polished stainless trim, six-gauge dash with the engine-turned gauge bezels and flanking decorative panels and the banjo style steering wheel. Would have had cat-eye cigar lighter as well. The grille, hood ornament , stainless rock guards as well as entire dash and steering wheel on the truck are extremely valuable. Hopefully someone in that part of the country will see this video and save that truck. Thanks again for posting it.

[@voyageoflostart9463]

Nice trucks !👍

[@andrewhoward7200]

My father raved about Diamond Ts. He served in Germany , as the war was closing , with the Royal Engineers and was very glad to have the use of American kit for heavy recovery. He admired the yanks enormously. Gone now like most of that generation.

[@nelsonrodriguez2263]

Were all praying for you Steve get well soon brother 🙏🙏

[@jakem.6359]

Amazing style and history to these trucks. Back when people took a lot of pride in what they made.

[@freemansgarage]

At that point in time they were hand crafting those trucks.

[@RinkyRoo2021]

Why do I learn more from Steves Videos than I ever did in High School?

[@sporty196071]

I've always wanted a diamond T, I think they are the best looking truck built. I have never been able to find one during all my junk yard hunts. I have a small bus frame with a 5.9 Cummins, Alison auto and air ride. I've been looking for 30 years.

[@jfu5222]

You better get up to Massachusetts quick!

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

I also agree!😎👍

[@freemansgarage]

You got a Diamond T on that bus chassis yet?

[@Wheres_MyVetteParts]

Love waking up to another junkyard crawl video, keep ‘em coming Steve!

[@mattwhaley9917]

Highlight of my mornings!

[@SteveMagnante]

More to come!

[@remko1238]

Again watching them to support a legend

[@marioncobaretti2280]

Early friction modifiers in gear oil was whale oil till the mid 70,s

[@mattwhaley9917]

I think I spy with my little eye, a small back window "Fridge" ('57-'60) F100, the forgotten body style Ford. I had a shortbed style-side '57 that I bought when I was 15 and drove in High School with a 272 Y-block and three on the tree going into the first year 9 inch 3.70 geared rear. Maybe check out the Fridge? Love your channel and knowledge.

[@throckmorton8477]

Yes, they are overshadowed by their older and younger 'brothers'. But the prices are rising rapidly! I'd love to find a non-running, mostly surface rust only for less than $5,000 here in the snow belt!

[@deucerider430]

Look again at that shift pattern - it’s a FIVE speed! We disassembled a Diamond T years back! What a truck!

[@don66hotrod94]

When I was a kid, waiting in line at the cherry factory to unload our 52 Dodge 1 ton, we would see an older man waiting in line with his Diamond T heavy duty pickup truck. It was fire engine red and a real beauty.

[@googleusergp]

Yep, Diamond T was started in Chicago by C.A. Tilt and eventually merged in 1967 to become Diamond-Reo. That would eventually be part of White Motors and what "exists" today is under Volvo's truck division. Volvo and Mack also merged some years back. Mack Trucks does support their history with their "Functional Museum" in PA. I've written to them several times over the years and they will, for free send you all of the appropriate documentation for your truck if you supply them with the VIN #. I did that for a B Series Mack we have in storage and it turns out according to Mack that the truck is "1 of 1". Yes, some of these old trucks have that "industrial character" and for many years they just went about their business in the commercial world. I think more and more people are seeing that the country's "industrial past" is worth saving and documenting.

[@albertgaspar627]

If memory serves, that REO was Ransom E Olds, when GM bought him out of Oldsmobile.

[@googleusergp]

@@albertgaspar627 REO was Ransom Eli Olds, and yes that was the precursor to what would become Oldsmobile.

[@rayt1590]

@@googleusergp There's an official plaque in Geneva, OH on US 20 on the site where he was born.

[@googleusergp]

Very unique.

[@scoobyroorogers]

Very Cool !

[@bozodog428]

Years ago one our customers had a fleet of 1954 Diamond T tandem dumps, and I would ride shotgun with my Dad taking them through state inspection. The grill and trim really did set these apart from the other trucks.

[@piggy310]

Your totalitarian Dems are still inspecting these antiques?

[@steveperry1344]

beautiful grill and trim, classic.

[@bruceprentice6441]

Exactly what I thought, take the cab and mount it on a late model truck frame. Another great video. I like the way you do heavy trucks and delivery vans , and not just passenger vehicles. You keep crawling the junkyards, and we will keep watching, lol

[@patdesrosiers6423]

The trucks are a great part of transportation history. We got my wife a nice car recently but I prefer my clapped out old trucks

[@scoobyroorogers]

@@patdesrosiers6423 Same here . I love my old F250 , there's just something about driving an old truck or car as your daily. Let the wives drive the new stuff lol.

[@TrashcanGarage]

I'd fab my own frame for that truck and include a nice healthy C notch in order to give it an altitude adjustment. It would be a fun project.

[@Oscars_fur_racing]

Thank you for showing us this beautiful truck. Have a speedy recovery, pal! Best wishes!

[@krazi77]

when I was a kid, my uncle had a 48 Mack parked in our backyard. it was very similar to this Diamond T. I played in it alot and my dad taught me how to drive stick with it, even though it didn't run.

[@VitoVeccia]

Wish I had the room. That truck would be perfect for a restoration.

[@alvonfinster2915]

My father was in the Canadian Army and operated Diamond T in England and northern Europe during the war. When he returned to Canada he operated them on the Alaska Highway. They were larger than the featured truck, heavy wreckers/recovery vehicles or highway tractors. He always spoke very highly of them -

[@freemansgarage]

That’s incredible

[@steveperry1344]

brings back memories. we used to hang out in an abandoned junk yard as teenagers back in the early 60's. it was in massachusetts.

[@zzzoo2]

Thanks Steve! I love old Diamond Ts, REOs, etc, and old tech. Trucks used to be more artful. These driveline lessons have been very interesting, too. So much more to it than we know.

[@patdesrosiers6423]

Trucks and cars had great styling back then. Part of why I like old movies is to see the vintage iron which was contemporary then

[@michaelbabella9012]

my dad actually owned a diamond T semi that he had leased to Roadway back in the late 30's...he lived in the mountains in Pennsylvania then, Johnstown, and he said it pulled that 24' box trailer well...sadly after attending a wedding reception one night, his co-driver was driving and my dad was in the sleeper when the co-driver fell asleep and cracked up the rig. my dad actually hiked to a mercantile store to rent, yes rent a camera so he could take pics of the wreck...i still have them today. great find, Mr Magnante

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Morning Mags ! OMG ! Can not believe that vehicle is still around. I saw one in Brooklyn , NY . As kid you do not forget that grill ! Do not remember what it was it use for had a box and windows . Steve you can fine some vehicles that have not seen by many ! Keep them coming ! Outstanding !

[@butcher390]

What an incredible find !! That Hercules engine looks amazing !! Even the brass emblem adds attention to detail I never knew about Diamond Ts before. Thank you Steve . Saw split rims being serviced at Tucks Trucks , when I was a teenager. No thanks ⚠️ You're Absolutely 💯 right ✅ These sights should be preserved as museums and mechanical class rooms

[@Daniel-fd3wp]

Neither did I what a score to see this video. 👍

[@boston1111111]

Every time I see one of those diamond T trucks it reminds me of being a kid getting "Diamond P" home videos in the mail. I would watch them tapes religiously!

[@MikeL-vu7jo]

That radiator pressed into the fan and hood popped up had a sudden stop into that tree back in the day even though that tree wasn't that big , cheers .

[@Beandiptheredneck]

Its crazy as a truck driver now, to think what they drove back in the day, my company's oldest truck is a 2001, and the newest are currently late year 2022s, they've got all the fixings with Bluetooth and what have you. I can't imagine being back in the day looking at that truck and thinking "wow what a nice new truck" but someone was happier than a pig in mud to drive it 😅 thanks for bringing this one to view and showing us around, I like the old commercial vehicle videos

[@scoobyroorogers]

That's a very good point. I wonder what the past driver would think of today's commercial truck...?

[@thedwightguy]

@@scoobyroorogers Dad owned five trucks on the go in the fifties and became his own mechanic. He could rebuild any part, bearings and seals, and kept his Class 1 in both Canada and California until he died. Today's drivers I think couldn't find the damn dip stick.

[@scoobyroorogers]

@@thedwightguy you're probably right! Your Dad sounds like a heck of a guy. Driving and keeping the big rigs running down the road.....

[@Bbbuddy]

Looks like that tree has been growing around the grille for many years.

[@duncanmacrae6384]

What a cool find. Sdaly it looks like the tree growing in the front is slowly pushing the whole front end in and the fan into the radiator. Great show, Happy New year Steve!

[@hotrod4d]

I went to a junkyard once to ask the old man about any of the old trucks they had out front, especially the neat one i couldnt readily identify. He said "oh you mean the Diamond T" It was then I knew it wasn't for sale

[@richardturk7162]

I drove a 1960 Diamond T box truck for a local freight company back in 1980. Still had the Hercules 6 banger and it was a bull dog first gear 4 speed. It was old and worn out but still a good usable truck. I hauled inter plant stuff for IBM mostly. The interior at one time was fancy for a truck. All the original gauges worked .

[@geraldlafleur7776]

I Rembrandt seeing a few on the road back in the 70’s-80’s.built like a tank.

[@stuartb9323]

My Grandfather had a 1940 Diamond T panel back in the day. He was a plumber and my father tells me stories about loading her up with tons of metal going to the scrap yard and the "T" wouldn't even feel it! Sold her when they purchased a new 51 GMC 1 ton panel truck. We still have the GMC and are in the process of restoration. Awesome video Steve 👍 Happy New Year

[@vlady8me]

Yo Steve! I grew up in vermont, born in 63. During the oil crisis in 72 my dad bought a beat up 47 Dodge pickup and brought it back to life so we could haul firewood in it. 2 wheel drive. Best truck ever. . Truck was all rusted out and he got it for 35 bucks. He and my uncle repaired it in various ways, including creating a new headlight from an old sap bucket as one was rusted away. Anyway, it was green and black with a daisy sticker on the hood. He sold it about 1977 and i have no idea where it went from there. Let me know if you should see it!

[@olivei2484]

Ayup. VT'er here too. Miss the state. All we had were old International trucks on the farm, one stank to high-heaven when hauling. Never found out what it was or was burning.

[@davidciesielski8251]

Never even heard of the truck....Thanks

[@t.s.racing]

Steve, let's not forget the BANJO steering wheel. That's a traditional style Hot Rodders dream. ( and of course those headlights )

[@nastybastardatlive]

The steering wheel looks awesome.

[@mjg263]

Something you never see in the wild around here. That yard truly is a museum!

[@timclosson7166]

What a treasure trove! Can't wait until tomorrow!

[@jonathangehman4005]

Having spent some time driving and riding in vintage trucks I can tell you Diamond T's are in a class by themselves. Just so fine. That sloping windshield looks cool but it's alot closer at the top than most other trucks and can feel a little claustrophobic, especially when it's dirty or splattered with bugs, not as bad as some Studebakers though, they're like driving around in a phonebooth, lol

[@jamespetersen3933]

Yes, the classic trucks. Keep on crawling!

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

I bet these were just phenomenal looking in their day. I'd love to see a fully functional one

[@jonathanmorrisey5771]

That gauge cluster is upscale enough to be at home in a Packard.

[@renchjeep]

Love those old Diamond T trucks. Amazing how that tree in front actually grew and pushed the radiator shell back, even to the point where the radiator is pushed into the fan. It looked like there was a weld repair on top of the head, right behind the thermostat housing. Great content, as always, Steve. Thanks for the junkyard lessons. Motor Trend definitely screwed up when they canceled Junkyard Gold! I really enjoyed that show. Motor Trend, you should be ashamed of yourselves.

[@Houndini]

I only saw 1. It got crushed in 1979. Only If we only had internet & computers back then. You was lost of didn't have Hot Road & bunch other delivered through the US mail maz.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Steve, I would have thought a corporate venture into the world of pinball machines would have been a better move for someone named Charles Tilt. 😉

[@patdesrosiers6423]

Great idea for a chassis upgrade on the Diamond T. I built a rat rod with a rusty 41 Ford cab dropped over a 74 Chevy chassis and running gear. Most fun and show awards of any restoration I’ve done and it was very inexpensive to build it

[@brustar5152]

Jeeez Louise! Yards like that one are a special find and if they only spent a couple of hundred in internet, or even print advertising in books like Truck Trader of their entire inventory, they'd be swamped with buyers. They're sitting on an untapped retirement portfolio and don't even realize it.

[@geraldlafleur7776]

I saw one minted out at the Mecum auction here in Chattanooga this October. It was a thing of beauty. Definitely the Cadillac of trucks.

[@waiting4aliens]

Companies that had fleets of larger Diamond Ts often purchased the pickups to make parts availability easier.

[@b.abrackus6403]

Diamond's are Forever....beautiful trucks even in this condition

[@Jasona1976]

How interesting, never heard of Diamond T trucks. As you say a classroom!

[@desolategrey]

Best truck vid yet Steve now find me a 1936/37 GMC T16

[@burthenry7740]

That is an amazing find! And I never heard of a company advertising the molybdenum in a cast iron block! Usually they call out a high nickel block, if anything. Most gearheads would recognize the more familiar term 'chrome-moly'. As in "That dragster has a chrome-moly chassis." Which is a steel alloy, 4140 if I remember correctly. 🤔

[@alleyoop1234]

4130 actually ;)

[@burthenry7740]

@@alleyoop1234 Yep! You are correct! I remembered about 3 hours after I posted that the lower carbon 4130 was used. Then I forgot to change it. 😁 Thanks for getting it right!👍

[@specialized29er86]

Wow what a find, here in Australia all theses places have either had the cars sold or been crushed.

[@georgeheissenberger3945]

The Fire Department I belong to has a 1934 Diamond T open cab fire truck we use as a parade truck. Same 6 cylinder Hercules engine but no oil filter as is on the truck you show.

[@kennethsonier1766]

I absolutely love diamond t trucks. My dream is to put a diamond t body on a mid-seventies 1 ton 4 by 4 Chevy chassis with a big block. Thanks for bringing us these amazing vehicles 👍✌️🇺🇲

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Very cool!!!!

[@RC-ml3ne]

In 1968 I found myself driving a Diamond-T tandem dump truck with a Detroit diesel and a 5 x 3 transmission. Unfortunately, the owners had overloaded the truck and it had some problems. I remember how fast the thing was! Coming home empty, from an ongoing job at Newark Airport, I would sometimes catch a few of the Macks on a long, straight, New Jersey country road (Remember, this was 56 years ago), swing into the hammer lane and pass 'em like they were standing still! Eventually, I lost control of the truck on ice and piled it. Too bad, it was a real pretty truck...

[@AlanG58]

What an absolutely beautiful truck. The styling is incredible on these T's!

[@MrCaprinut]

I would have built exactly like Cale Lohr's rat rod. That looks epic. Really good lines on those trucks.

[@davidp2888]

That’d be a great truck to have.

[@gsmith207]

Man knows his parts! Love it. This is what we did kids before video games. We went junk yard hunting. Also had a couple tetanus shots as well because of it! Great vids SM! Memories galore

[@soldtobediers]

You can chase after nature with a pitchfork But it always comes roaring back again ~Tom Waits

[@dougatkins3749]

My buddies dad put one together, 70 Ford chassis, Isuzu diesel.

[@michaelguinn5736]

Afternoon Steve, hopefully someone will rescue that vintage Diamond T!!

[@knutbkristiansen]

Awesome episode

[@brianandglendaharkin9457]

Someone must want this truck it should not be there. Better then any modern lap top small truck.👍🏻🇦🇺💯

[@vettekid3326]

Way back when I worked for Caterpillar Inc. Engine Division we would make the engines to the individual truck manufacturer's specs and believe me I think everybody had their own individual oil coolers and other touches they wanted.

[@josephmayotte8879]

Check out that banjo steering wheel!

[@planetwisconsin9901]

Gotta be observant in the junk yard. And up to date on your Tetanus shots!

[@redneck5356]

Used to be one floating around western mass 20 years ago with a small block Chevy

[@danieljohnson8020]

Looks like a 1941 to 1946 Chevrolet beside the diamond. When I was 8 years old I learned how to drive in a 1941 Chevrolet 1 1/2 ton. My grandfather has owned it since the early 60s he used it as a work truck then and to this day he still uses it as a work truck don't get me wrong it's not beat up or anything he takes very good care of shorty that's the name of the truck LOL. My grandparents raised me on a small farm here in Tennessee but I have memories of being 5 years old helping my grandfather cut firewood in that 1941 Chevy we would have to drive up this pretty steep hill to get to our house and he would have to put the truck in low gear and we would stack the firewood a couple feet above the cab but when he would put that old truck in low gear I swear it would ride a wheelie up the hill it would just crawl up that hill! That makes a big impression on a 5-year-old boy if it wasn't for my grandfather and that truck I wouldn't be who I am today ❤️

[@TwinStix]

That banjo steering wheel is mint - cool vid Steve 👍

[@richdiscoveries]

Obviously I know you already know, but just like to comment for the algorithm. But Chevrolet still uses the torque tube design on the Corvettes. They brought it back with the C5, late 90s I believe? And why not, the center section is mounted solid and doesn't need U-joints. Keeps it clean like you said. I really enjoy the content and like commenting. Thank you for what you do

[@jimdean7335]

A true diamond in the rough…..Happy New Year. Hope you get to 100k this year.

[@SteveMagnante]

Happy new year!

[@brewsky38c]

Love those old diamond T’s

[@blakedawson2129]

dude knows his stuff.

[@billmanzke758]

A little surprised that you didn't mention that MOPAR trunk lid with the center brake light on top of all those axles. I guess that there was just too much there to mention it all!

[@Dingleberry1856]

I got a 1936 and a 1938 cabs with a set of fenders and grille just like this

[@rollin19]

Can you imagine that sob painted in black with chrome wheels,that thing would look sick!!

[@woody2014]

WOW. What an awesome truck. What a great find.

[@brianbloom1799]

Steve That's a Beautiful Truck, Now That needs to be Restored soon, Before it gets to bad, Perfect, For new style chassis, swap.I always thought ,They where a great looking Truck.

[@SteveMagnante]

Thanks 👍

[@jfu5222]

Those chevron patterned Firestone retreads at 6:00 look pretty cool. I'll need four of them for my ten-point junkyard truck restoration.

[@darrellepickering8433]

In the early '70s I owned a '62 Olds 98 2-door with a posi-trac rear end. It got me stuck a lot b/c the car was so light on the rear.

[@christianmccollum1028]

What a Diamond T in the rough! Thanks as always Steve.

[@fhwolthuis]

What a beautiful truck!

[@davidhouse3683]

Time for a new hubcap game. I enjoy them!

[@ricksaint2000]

Thank you Steve

[@TinHatRanch]

Wow, it’s rare I️ see a really old car/truck I️ didn’t know about and what an awesome find to boot!

[@josephhamilton1547]

Your knowledge is much appreciated by this car guy. Thank You, never miss a posting.

[@philippetays4263]

two nieghbours had diamond Ts one hauled grain right up to the 90s i think, probably still has it.

[@frederickhettesheimer2698]

Once again great video Steve, I love Classic Iron the old work trucks that built the Country. Keep up the good work and showing where the good stuff hides.

[@mark_osborne]

Your knowledge base is just astonishing

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

We're all pulling for you Steve. Hope to see you soon

[@franciscoppola1129]

I drove quite a few Diamond Ty’s and the later Diamond Reo’s, I gotta say they were solid good driving trucks

[@rollin19]

REO Speedwagon. The band was named after the truck.

[@TrashcanGarage]

That instrument cluster alone is a work of art. And I love the long shift lever. Would be so fun to cruise in that truck, talk about turning heads.

[@landmarkadventureco.5519]

That banjo steering wheel tho❤