Vintage Fire Truck: 1936 Diamond T Fire Truck
Here at Barn Finds, we’ve seen a few firefighting appliances appear over the last couple of months, and this one is a beauty. This 1936 Diamond T 221D is in largely original and unrestored condition. You will find it listed for sale here on eBay. Located in Olympia, Washington, it is being offered for sale with a clear title. Obviously, I’m not the only person who is quite taken by this vehicle, because at the time of writing it had received 36 bids. This has pushed the price to $5,311, but the reserve hasn’t been met.
The body of this truck appears to be quite good, and I suspect that it is wearing all, or at least most of, its original paint. There are no obvious rust issues, but the seller states that there is some surface corrosion on the underside of the vehicle. The new owner will receive the truck as it stands now, which includes all of the attached fire-fighting equipment. Some of these vintage items are in remarkable condition, with plenty of polished brass and copper to catch your eye. I particularly like the brass extinguishers and the copper siren. The truck is fitted with a 400-gallon tank, and the original pump is said to work perfectly.
The upholstery on the seat isn’t original, and the truck has also been fitted with safety belts. The speedometer currently doesn’t operate, although the odometer does. The fuel gauge is also inoperative, but everything else functions as it is supposed to. The truck has also been fitted with turning indicators and brake lights. That appears to be the full extent of the modifications on this otherwise original truck.
Under the hood is a Hercules 263ci 6-cylinder engine. This produces 68hp, and power is then fed via a 4-speed non-synchro manual transmission. The drive-train has undergone a fair amount of recent work, which includes the brake system having been completely rebuilt with stainless sleeves added to all wheel cylinders and master cylinder. New rubber brake hoses, new radiator hoses, new fan belt, rebuilt water pump seals/main shaft, new rear tires and tubes, and the pinion bearings have been replaced. The seller says that the vehicle does have some minor oil drips, but no major leaks. He also states that the top speed for the vehicle is 45mph.
I am quite taken by this vehicle. As a conversation starter at a show, it is a real winner. The truck has been recently used for parades, weddings, and has been entered into car shows. Some people would be tempted to undertake a full restoration on this Diamond T, but I’d be inclined to leave it exactly how it is.
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Comments
Now this is an entirely different story than say the ’34 Ford, or even those ALF’s. The Ford, while cool, was too far gone, and nobody wants to drive around a cabover ALF, but this, it’s a rare truck to begin with and is presentable, and ready to go. Whole different story. This is the only way vintage fire trucks are desirable, I think. People love vintage fire trucks in parades and couple times a year, be fun to bring this old gal out.
Wow nice truck, now what to do with it and where to put it. I guess you folks south of the boarder have a lot more parades then we do which might justify its existence in the hands of a private owner. For me I literally have no use for a truck like this. I’d want to build it into something else so its best left in the hands of someone that wants a fire truck. I think a simpathetic restoration would be the best bet.
Yeah, us yankee doodle dandy’s love a parade, but maybe 3 a year? Matter of fact, many parades in small towns are almost entirely marching bands and fire equipment now ( from 2 towns over), but not sure it warrants having something like this. Storage is the biggie for most. It almost needs it’s own building that not many have.
What does use have to do with the collector car hobby…………this is a hobby, if you are concerned with use…….go buy a new Toyota (gag)………I have over 30 collector cars, many I have never driven but am content to look at them as I gather parts to make them operate again. I find the hobby best enjoyed by appreciating the journey to bring machines that interest me back to life. A simple collector only requires a deep checking account…….little skill or talent. This is off course a lovely old girl that has been (most likely) loved and adored most of her life by dedicated fire fighters. Reason enough for her existence and admiration.
Well Dave and your 35 cars if all it needs to do is exist why don’t you buy it and park it in your collection and get out a nice comfortable chair put it in front of this truck and gaze away at it.
Now that’s one attention getter! Whether a parade or a show, that one will catch people’s eyes. Wish I had room for that one, it would have a new home.
Perhaps a bid retraction has occurred? It shows that it didn’t hit the reserve and only climbed to below $4K….
Hope and pray that this old girl gets the climate controlled home she deserves, and not some farmer/collector with an itchy bidding finger and an open field. Best lines I’ve even seen in a fire truck.
What an absolutely beautiful truck. Should NOT be restored but just maintained as is and be shown in fourth of July parades, car shows, benefits, and maybe in a museum.
Dirk
What’s to be restored? This thing is close to prestine, just a beautiful example. And, it’s got water storage. I have a friend that takes off his Summers duiring fire season. He has a beater fire truck that he trailers out to fire hot spots. He gets paid a ridiculous amont to drive the truck to a drop off point… and just sit, waiting for forestry tankers to come and pump water out of his unit. Most times, he’s never even pumped, just gets paid for sitting ! I don’t know if this units compacity would meet standards though ?
Awesome looking truck! I agree with leaving her just the way she is and only taking her out for parades and such to stretch her legs.
Just needs a Dalmatian.