In the world of big trucks, the name Diamond T stands above the rest. The name comes from the company’s founder, C.A. Tilt, and for nearly 50 years, the trucks bearing his initial were the highest-quality, most stylish, and most durable machines you could buy. Putting your company’s logo on a Diamond T was also a way to advertise your success as well as your name, and we have to believe that people noticed trucks this handsome making deliveries in their city. In 1967, the company merged with White Motor Company, which also owned REO, and the spinoff was called Diamond Reo Trucks, which lasted until 2010, and there’s even some speculation that new investors will bring the Diamond T name back to life once again.

A Diamond T was distinctive, and by 1942, they were arguably the most attractive trucks on the road. This wasn’t by accident, as Chevy learned after the war with their Advance Design pickups that were handsome as well as practical. That means that starting with a fantastic vehicle means the results can be spectacular, and this 1942 Diamond T Model 201 half-ton pickup certainly proves that looking good is always an advantage. Like most manufacturers, Diamond T gave their trucks a facelift in 1942, making this a fresh-looking machine just before the war effort shut everything down. Only a handful were built (fewer than 200) in 1942, so you’re not likely to see another one, and this one was rescued from what was surely the fate of many of its siblings. The fellow who built it, who is a musician of some note (no pun intended) discovered it sitting on a farm in Marshall, Indiana, slowly decomposing into its original elements. It was completely intact and complete and actually ran well enough that he bravely drove it home some 400 miles. It was November, so there wasn’t any heat, and while the radio worked it pulled in only static. Nevertheless, for an untested machine to travel that far is a testament to Diamond T’s quality.

Sadly, the 201 was pretty rough albeit completely solid. It was entrusted to Jim Remick of Rennick Custom Paint & Body Restoration in Akron, Ohio, and the transformation began. The two-tone paint is very close to what it wore originally, and the darker blue you see on the fenders and top of the cab was apparently the truck’s original color. Remick thought it needed to be dressed up a bit, so it received a lighter color for some contrast, as well as the silver insert along the door, which is a Diamond T trademark. They didn’t alter any of the trucks’ dramatic original styling, which was cutting-edge in 1942, and kept the tall barrel-shaped grille, the faired-in headlights, and gracefully rounded fenders. Original details like the hood ornament and side vents on the hood were re-chromed and reinstalled, and even things like the factory bumpers and running boards remain intact. The only notable mods include shaved door handles, late-model commercial mirrors, and a modestly re-sculpted bed in back where the license plate is affixed. There is no tailgate and according to the owner who discovered it in that farmer’s field, it never had one. There is, however, a cool vintage trunk that was installed in the bed and painted to match, and it’s a weather-proof place to store your gear. Finish quality is very good, with a high gloss finish to the paint, beautiful chrome, and just the right stance.

The goal inside was to make it comfortable without erasing the basic utility of a pickup truck, so there’s a custom-fitted blue leather bench seat that’s tucked tight to the rear bulkhead of the cab to maximize legroom. Separate lower cushions make it feel a little more upscale and custom door panels with map pockets were stitched to match. Dark blue carpets provide a bit of contrast and there’s a beautifully fitted headliner overhead with custom speaker holes for the stereo in the B-pillars. Because of the shaved exterior door handles, there are no interior handles, either, but the doors pop open easily by pushing the lock button—clever! The multi-spoke wheel is a cool aftermarket piece that looks vaguely like a wire wheel and it has a custom leather wrap to make it easy to grab. A tilt column, ice cold A/C from Vintage Air, and a kickin’ AM/FM/CD stereo make it as comfortable as your daily driver. Note that the paint job wraps around the door jams and onto the dashboard and there are custom brass Diamond T logo pedals for the brake and accelerator, as well as a custom T knob on the Gennie shifter. A big central speedometer is flanked by a collection of aftermarket gauges, all of which are fully functional. There’s also an auxiliary input for your iPod (that cable hanging underneath) and a functional cigarette lighter for charging your phone. Even the original crank-open windshields are operational. Get in, turn the key, and enjoy, that was the idea and it was superbly executed.

Although we have to take our hats off to the original Hercules flathead six that powered this Diamond T, it wasn’t going to be adequate for a vehicle intended to travel long distances in comfort. So it was yanked in favor of a bulletproof GM 350 cubic inch V8 that fits so neatly in the Diamond T engine bay that you’d almost think it was born there. It’s not radical, but it is reliable and competent, offering a 4-barrel Edelbrock carburetor on an aluminum intake, a few splashes of chrome and billet aluminum for show, and as much OEM componentry as possible to make it easy to maintain. HEI ignition, for example, lights the fires and there’s a giant radiator up front with a big electric fan that ensures the small block never gets fussy. There’s also a vacuum power assist for the brakes with a color-matched unit on the firewall, so the brakes feel natural and service access remains quite good. It starts easily, idles well, and cruises down the highway at 75 MPH with ease, A/C blowing cold. Isn’t that the whole point?

Part of its competence comes from the late-70s Firebird subframe that was grafted onto the T’s original truck chassis, adding power steering and front disc brakes. The transformation was seamless with appropriate reinforcements as needed. The Diamond T’s perimeter frame with X-bracing was so beefy that it didn’t need any help, although custom cross-members were installed to support the TH350 3-speed automatic transmission and late-model leaf springs for the GM 10-bolt rear end. Ride quality is excellent—this is no bare-bones pickup any more—and from behind the wheel it feels quite modern and agile. There’s also a brand new dual exhaust system that offers a nice rumble without being annoying and the twin megaphone tips out back are just plain awesome. The chassis isn’t detailed, but this was never built to be a trailer queen and it has proven to be bulletproof reliable, as it has never been on a trailer. To keep with the old-school look, a set of custom-sized steel wheels were ordered and painted to match the truck, then fitted with hubcaps, trim rings, and staggered Goodyear wide whitewall radials, so it certainly retains its vintage vibe.

We can pretty much guarantee that you will never see another Diamond T pickup like this, and the combination of quality build, wonderful old-school details, and creature comforts make it a slam-dunk. Sure, you could spend less and get a garden-variety Chevy or Ford, but if you’re going to do the hot rod thing, why follow the crowd? Call today!