Diamond T was a storied U.S. brand that built commercial and military trucks, although they tinkered for a while producing automobiles, too. From 1905 to 1967, they assembled all sorts of vehicles for a variety of purposes, including the delivery of beer. In the case of this 1937 Diamond T Model 80, it had the honor of toting around Budweiser, “The King of Beers” (according to their advertising). Having sat for ages and needing tons of work, this old workhorse is in Auburn, California, and is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $7,950 (firm). Thanks, heaps, to T.J. for this cool tip!
Founded in Chicago, Illinois, the company’s name supposedly came from a logo fashioned by the founder’s father, 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 a harness. They were in business through two world wars, so they helped with the military effort during those times. By 1967, it had become a subsidiary of White Motor Co. and Diamond T was merged with Reo Motor Co. to become Diamond Reo Trucks.
The Model 80, of which the seller’s truck is a ¾ ton panel delivery, was in production from 1936 to 1938 and was powered by a Hercules QX-Series 6-cylinder engine. We don’t know how or when this truck became a servant for Anheuser-Busch, but most likely it was owned by a local bottler who did deliveries to local bars and stores. We assume it once wore Budweiser red paint, but that has seriously faded over the years although you can still make out the lettering. The seller says there are only three of these trucks known to exist (how does he/she know this?). One has been restored, another is in pieces in Poland (as we’re told), and this one.
This is at least the second time the seller has tried to make a sale. The last go around the buyer put down a deposit and then disappeared. The claimed mileage is 75,000 which could be accurate as we assume these trucks made a lot of short “hops”. The gasoline-fed motor is frozen from sitting and the starter is gone. There’s a lot of structural work that will be needed to restore this once-hauler of brewery delights. It will need new wood or metal support fabricated for the body. Since there are no rear doors, new ones will have to be made. And, alas, the cool hood ornament has flown the coop.
There could be a lot of potential with this old truck, but the finished product won’t come cheap. A true Budweiser fan who thinks he has “everything Bud” might find this a cool piece of lawn art. Maybe a local microbrewery would put it on display, as-is or fully restored, depending on how deep the pockets go.
Seasoned BarnFind-ites will know, I can’t keep my big mouth shut on this one. In most cases, a truck was sold as a front clip on a bare chassis, and outside manufacturers would put whatever rear portion the customer wanted. Again, bottom of the barrel here, as most have already been found, this is what’s left.
If I may make a correction, Diamond T was bought by White in 1958, a year after buying REO, but kept them as separate makes until 1967, when they merged the names to Diamond Reo. That lasted until 1975. “Ambitious” restorations, and this would certainly qualify, are falling away, just no interest in this stuff when completed, with little, if any hope of getting your money back. Time has passed on projects like this, but one thing IS clear. This truck was a welcome sight in the 30s and 40s for many.
This would make for a suitable prop on a movie set.
I remember riding in a Diamond T truck that carried soft drinks (7 Up) in 1950. There were also several delivery trucks in the area that were Diamond T….. lumber yards, freight companies, and Beech Aircraft.
I believe that the sled dog in a harness logo was for Brockway trucks and not Diamond T
I got my CDL in a 1964 Diamond T in winter 1978 at a Tech School. Single axle COE. 6/72 Detroit. I ended up working at that Tech School. 44 years ago today as a matter of fact. You could get a 2 cycle Detroit to run backwards sometimes if you let the clutch out too fast and then stepped it down quickly. Happened on the T. We had a K Whopper with an 8 V Detroit in it. A student got it running backwards and took off down the street. Smoke coming out of the air filter housing. Funny. Had to chase him down. Those were the days as some of us can say. I still have the diamond shaped emblem from the cab heater housing.
Wasn’t this truck was one of those 400(?) trucks that were recently auctioned at the Sidney, Nebraska auction.?
Lot 445 Sold for $8,500
What’s the alternative to bottled beer waaaay back when ?! Straight from the keg ??
Correct me if I’m wrong. But wasn’t it “Brockway” trucks that had the “sled dog/malamute” hood ornament?
This would be worth about $150.00 in the shape it is in with all the missing parts.
Sad to say, but the cost of restoration vs restored value is such a wide canyon that this might be better off if the body sides were cut off and made into wall hangings for an upscale bar or restaurant.