Charles Tilt, the son of a shoemaker, preferred motors to shoes. So after working for his father starting in 1896 for eight years, and managing a farm for another year, he began working for Charles Knight in 1904. Knight was the inventor of the Silent Knight Engine, and his influence was just what young Tilt needed. Tilt founded his car-making company in a corner of his father’s shop, using the “T” in the family name – synonymous with quality – to brand his vehicles. In 1911, a customer asked Tilt to produce a commercial truck for his plumbing supply business, and from that point on, Diamond T focused exclusively on heavy-duty trucks. The 201 was one of two Diamond T “light” haulers, rated at one ton. About 7000 were made from 1938 through 1949, ranking the model as one of the company’s best sellers. This example, available here on eBay, is located in San Antonio, Texas. It’s bid to $6,799, reserve not met.
Originally equipped with a Hercules 236 cu. inch L-head six cylinder, this one has seen a swap to a Chevy 292 cu. in. six. The seller indicates that the original four-speed crash box (with granny gear) is still in place. If you’re a stickler for stock, a Hercules QX engine has been located for an extra $1500, plus shipping. In factory configuration, these beefy trucks ran comfortably at 45-50 mph; the Chevy engine provides more horsepower for potentially better usability. No word on whether the axle is original, but the brakes apparently work fine.
Inside, “the Cadillac of trucks” offered generous instrumentation centered in the dash, crank-out windows, nice tan leather seats, and by 1949 options such as a chrome mirror, chrome hubcaps, and bright window trim. The rear window affords limited visibility. The flashy Diamond T grille elevated Tilt’s trucks above the rest of the rabble. This example comes with a “transistor” AM radio, installed where we’d normally expect to see the speedometer. The lights and gauges work as they should.
Immerse yourself in Diamond T forums, and you’ll find endless debates around the configuration of the bed. Everyone has an opinion regarding whether this or that bed is “original”. Personally, I figure if it’s not rusted, has a few tie-downs and a couple stake pockets and – yes – can haul eight bales of hay, it’s good enough for me. This one looks like it will do the job. On the other hand, the paint has seen better days all the way around. While these trucks can command prices in excess of $50k when restored, driver-quality examples will sell for much less.
Just about the time that wound heals over, almost forgot where it was, BAM,,wide open again. With the unpredictable interests of the author, this is bound to happen. Oh, it’s okay, there is merit to “better to have loved and lost” hooey ( try it sometime) and those memories make me a wealthy soul( thank you Bob S)
For me, there isn’t a clearer indication of falling interest than right here. I sold my 201 pickup( bought for $100 in 1987) in the early 2000s, ( 2005?) to a friend for $5grand, in very similar condition, only all original. Over the years, I watched these climb to close $100grand, in restored condition, the peak probably 2015. I lost track of what they are worth, and am quite shocked that with over 200 viewers, not even $7grand, but a worn ’64 Chevy wagon, for , how much, $50grand?( had to get that in here). I’m not sure the motor swap has anything to do with it, most people today don’t know their touchas from home plate, motorwise and the crash box surely cooks the deal. If nothing was done to the gearing, even 45 is a stretch, and from experience, I wouldn’t go much faster anyway. Why, those wheel covers alone used to be over a grand for a set, it’s tough, folks, seeing something like this with lowered interest. All this, and this site tells me, is we’ve gone a lot farther than I ever imagined. It’s a different world, and I imagine my elders said the same thing,,,Turn the page,,,
Oh, can’t add anything about the truck itself to the authors typically well written articles. Diamond Ts usually cost TWICE as much as a Chevy or Ford, but by golly, you rolled in the feed mill with a Diamond T, well, there was an unmatched sense of pride, and I’m blessed to say I knew what that was like,,,
Couple corrections, it was 1980 for $100 and $4grand, not $5. I know many may think I’m full of it, and that very well may be, but it actually was $100, and, AND, had a rebuilt motor to boot, temporarily stuck. I have a picture somewhere of how it looked in the junkyard, overgrown and forlorn, no wheels( someone already took the wheels) I was clearly meant to see it and at the time, old trucks were just that, old trucks. It was towed to the yard after a no-sale at a local estate, dragged through the yard with a forklift by an employee who didn’t care, they were just about to scrap it! I found another one through a tip, no internet, you know, and it was a 201 milk truck, complete, but in poor shape, that had the wheels, I paid $200 for that, without the milk body.
While the power has been replaced, it’s still a ’49 Diamond T and for any kind of real use, should be updated to a modern chassis. It should be noted, the 201 was not the last pickup, they made the 222 for 1950 & ’51, but was essentially a rebadged IH cab, was discontinued for 1952, and never made a pickup again. Diamond T became part of the White group in 1958, kept the name, but merged with REO( also a White company) in 1967 and became Diamond REO until 1975. Thanks again, “Shel”.
This is such a great old truck. Currently bid to $8199 at the moment, there’s hope that it will goto a good new home. Thank you very much for your excellent research Michelle. I know I sound like a broken record when I say I appreciate all the time that you ( and other writers too) put into getting the history, etc. I enjoy learning about those things.
And Howard, your truck looks a lot like this one, I’m impressed that you were able to save it and even hunt down the correct rims as well. One comment on the bed, I know this is not the case, but it almost looked like it may have had a Gooseneck set up there with the safety chain hooks still in place. I’m guessing its tie downs? Having the torque rich 292 AND a perioed correct Hercules could be had leaves you with options. I have no idea what had to be done to convert it to the GM six or what it would take to get it converted back. ( Geomechs would know). If it were mine, I’d keep it stock, it’s how I roll ( Pun intended).
Once again, I enjoyed this a lot love the old trucks and the comments too. Thank you.
I thought it looked like it had the remnants of a gooseneck too…. Thanks as always for the compliments, you guys always make me smile.
Thanks Michelle. We really do appreciate your write ups, and they make many of us smile too.
-Dave
Yeah! Flip that lid up and show that goose-neck ball! This beast could handle a trailer like nobody’s business if you’re man enough to drive it!
Amen to that on the GM 292. I had the use of a late 60s Chevy/GMC pickup at work in the late 70s and I was amazed at the power of that 6 cylinder truck. I was using it to haul a tractor with a bushhog attachment around. No problem at all. It felt like you could pull stumps with it.
My first drive in a big truck was a 1933 Diamond T winch truck used to deliver oiling equipment 55 gallon drums to drill fields. Truck was huge, especially to a 5.6 junior high school kid. My job was to load the barrels from the warehouse onto the truck bed for the driver to take to the oil fields. Everything about that truck was huge. Quite a find here.
That does not sound like an easy job at all. Even for a young guy in shape. Its nice to see the memories these old trucks bring up.
That’s what the winch and boom were for, loading and unloading. Was in good shape then but not good enough for hauling full barrels of oil.
Bobhess….IF, and I mean IF, my brain was functioning, I should’ve figured that one out!!! Still, neat experience!!!
Daggone it! All you need to do is back away and try to recover from a whopper of a cold and you miss all the good stuff!
Personally, I’m a big fan of these trucks. The 201 has always been one of my favorites.
As Howard would attest, the stock Hercules engine was no powerhouse, especially if you loaded that truck to capacity. That fed through a Warner T-9 crashbox to a stump-puller of a rear axle. It seems to me that the axle was made by Rockwell; I could stand to be corrected there.
I would love to have this truck at my place. If the stock engine came along I would be almost fussy enough to pull the 292 back out and drop the Herc back in.
Actually, a 292 is not a bad swap at all. Relatively compact, easy to find parts for, strong as the proverbial ox, and ultimately reliable. Of course there’s always the one to pull out ALL the stops and get a Cummins Diesel in there. You’ve gotta admit, some folks do an amazing job on those too…
That is so cool!!!! And they’re pulling a 5th wheel Scamp too. ( Actually they’re a gooseneck). Love it!!!
Lovely truck. IMHO, it’s the best looking truck with the name Diamond T on it. I regret that I’ve never seen one in person.
Thank you Michelle for the great write up. The only thing I can add is that of the 7000 built there are only about 400 to 500 left known to exist, thus I think the prices are holding in the $40k to $50k for restored units. I am a dumb butt member and cannot figure out how to post pictures to be able to show you my 49 model 201!!! I was parked next to the truck Geo pictured at the 2023 ATHS national show in York PA and had several conversations with the owner. If I remember correctly it is the 201’s big brother a 404(??) which he has modified extensively to enlarge the cab and repowered with a Cummins. He said he has put over 50k miles on it touring all across Canada.