1934 Diamond T 406 Deluxe Express

Trucks were often considered utilitarian vehicles meant for work, leaving little room for style or creature comforts. Things began to change after World War II when trucks and wagons assumed various other roles. The Town & Country, for example, was both a workhorse and a means of transportation. One such truck, the Diamond T, began to stand out from the crowd and was offered with all the style and flair of a fine motorcar. The Deluxe range of Diamond T trucks broke new ground during the 1930s for styling of commercial vehicles. They were decorated with chrome and stainless steel that was done in both a modern and progressive way.

The mid-1930s Diamond T Deluxe series was given a grille reminiscent of the Zephyr locomotive. They had large chrome hubcaps, cast-iron Budd wheels, whitewall tires, and their own unique mascot. The interiors were equally impressive, with a dashboard similar to that of a 1934 Packard unit.

This particular example is equipped with an express bed. It is finished in the livery used by Diamond T at the 1939 World's Fair. Power is from an inline-6 cylinder engine offering 90 horsepower. There is a three-speed transmission with duplex, and four-wheel hydraulic brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2016