Vehicle Description
1948 Diamond T 306 Tanker
The Diamond T Motor Car Company was founded in Chicago in 1905 by
C. A. Tilt. Reportedly, the company name was created when Tilt's
shoe-making father fashioned a logo featuring a big "T" (for Tilt)
framed by a diamond, which signified high quality. The company's
hood emblem on trucks was a sled dog in harness. From its
beginnings manufacturing touring cars, the company later became
known for its trucks. By 1967, as a subsidiary of White Motor
Company, it was merged with Reo Motor Company to become Diamond Reo
Trucks, Inc.
For consignment, a restored and mechanically sound 1948 Diamond T
306 truck in tanker format. Once referred to as the "Cadillac of
the truck world", this Art Deco inspired hauler is ready, willing
and able to haul whatever liquid goods that need to be
delivered.
Please Note: NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY*
Exterior
Drenched in a coating of Shell red, the body with its well minded
gaps and straight panels retain all of the original Art Deco charm
that Diamond T incorporated into their trucks. Bullet style
headlights flank a divided horizontally barred chrome grille with a
shiny red bumper below. The big "T" logo sits proudly in its
flowing chrome spear leading back to the twin cowled center hinged
hood with each side decorated with chrome venting and brass Diamond
T plates. Framing the hood are rounded front fenders which flow
back into short running boards with ribbed grip lines. A raked back
windshield forms the front of the cab giving an almost custom look,
but it's exactly the way it left the factory in 1948. On the back
we see a fluid tank dressed in full Shell livery. This unit has 3
separate compartments with separate dispensers for different fuels
or possibly to haul your homemade Merlot, Sauvignon, Pinot Noir to
the local wine tasting. Long yellow wooden tool/storage boxes are
running the length of the bed and provide ample room for any
necessary hoses and tools. Bringing up the rear is a black steel
bumper frame and industrial style round taillights. Red steel 17"
wheels with chrome T logo dog dish caps are on the corners with
dual tires being on the rear. Breaker Breaker, any smokies ahead?
I'm hammer down with a load of high test.
Interior
Extreme utilitarian would best describe the door panels which are
gray painted stamped steel with chrome cranks and levers. Moving
inside we see a sprawling gray vinyl covered bench seat with a wide
tuck and roll pattern stretches from door to door. A slightly
cracked 3 spoke black plastic steering wheel sits atop the factory
installed gray painted column and fronts the full metal jacket gray
painted dash with a central Diamond T logo speedometer being
flanked by supporting gauges. Chrome knobs and pulls are throughout
the rest of the dash and a heater unit is mounted on the
passenger's side down low. Of particular note is the flooring,
which is covered with bevel cut oak up to the upward skew of the
firewall, all buttoned up and easy to use.
Drivetrain
Lifting either side of the narrowing cowled hood reveals a 236ci
flathead inline 6 cylinder. Fuel and air is delivered via a 1bbl
carburetor positioned underneath the oil bath air cleaner. Attached
to the back is a 4-speed manual transmission which sends power back
to a 4.62 geared heavy duty rear axle.
Undercarriage
While too big to traverse our lift we did our best belly crawl and
worked our way under this hauler. The flooring, rockers, frame and
body hangers are all structurally solid. Drum brakes are seen on
both ends as are leaf springs for the suspension. A single exhaust
system is in charge of removing spent fossils and all is looking
ready to haul.
Drive-Ability
With a twist of the key this big truck fell into a smooth idle and
off to the test track I went. I really enjoy driving these old
trucks and with my partner in crime crack decoder and all-around
good guy in tow I wasn't able to make deliveries to my favorite
ladies of Morgantown, PA... but I digress... On the patented and
well-hidden Classic Auto Mall test track this drove like, well a
truck. Acceleration was very good for a truck of this size, the
ride was acceptable, and braking was adequate. All told, it handles
like a 1948 Diamond T and all functions were operational at the
time of my drive. Eastbound and down!
A well-built truck, worthy of the restoration that has befell it.
Retaining almost all of its high-class hauler charm from the
skilled pens of the Diamond T engineers and the vision of our
talented consignor has crafted this into the head turning hauler
seen before you. Guaranteed, you'll be the only one in your
neighborhood with one and dare to dream, while hauling fuel may
require permits, does a mobile wine truck require the same??? Y'all
got your ears on good buddy, come back.
