A New Restoration Project - 1938 Texaco Tanker Truck

Greetings from Auckland, New Zealand.

We have just started to fully restore a 1938 Diamond T Texaco tanker truck.

We are hoping there might be folks out there with information on this great piece of history. The tanker truck is very complete with everything in it but we still need help with the finer details of the restoration and also any historic info.

We have started a blog to share the restoration so anyone interested in following our progress can visit us at www.texacotankerproject.com

We will be posting on The Antiquated forum with updates and questions from time to time.

Thanks for your interest and the opportunity to share our project.

Steve & Sue Keys

 

That is really awesome! What do you know of it’s story?

 

Not a lot unfortunately. We know it came from the East Coast 6 - 7 years ago and it has a 1959 South Carolina license plate on the grille although we haven't verified that yet. We are hoping to research the VIN and find out where it was in service originally. A couple of the companies involved are searching their archives at the moment which we really appreciate. It has been so interesting so far trying to piece all the information together.

 

And now you have it in New Zealand?

 

Yes we do. It has been here since 2013 but we have only just bought it in February 2018.

 

Someone payed a pretty penny to ship that across the ocean. It’s a really great project, I wish you the best of luck!

 

I believe that if this were MY build project.I would prefer it tp be moved to the main message board where many more folks would see it Not near as many read the Introduction page.

 

We are certainly trying to get the project seen in the hope that people might have historic information. Thanks for this suggestion.

 

As easy as....... @corncobcoupe can you move this to the main board please?

 

Where art and function met...
Diamond T was a beautiful truck. Love it.

Larry

 

Thanks @corncobcoupe

 

Appreciate your help with this. Thanks.

 

Thank you.

 

Good luck with your project. BTDT myself with a '48 Dodge Fire Truck. My best advice? get it done while you are young.

 

Damn sweet. I have been after a 40s pickup Diamond T for ages.

hey if you are after info on it give Bill a call at TransportWorld in Invercargill. https://www.transportworld.co.nz
They have done a similar project but also have a large library of and very well may have the history info on your truck in NZ.

EDIT: oh nvm. see you imported it. guess they wont have the history you are after.

 

The definition of "art deco" for sure; and no, Art Deco is't a little Italian fellas name. Someone steal the "A"? Must be a shortage of lug nuts down there also. It's really cool, in a Mad Max sort of way. Keep posting!
I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Really neat looking rig. Reminded me of Mad Max too.

 

Way COOL!!! Are you planning on keeping it as a tanker or converting the insides of the tank or something else? Camper, open storage, etc....?

 

We are restoring it back to original as a Texaco tanker. Luckily it still has all the original fuel distribution units and pipework.

 

Looks like the same truck....

 

Yes it sure is.

 

@Texaco Tanker Project You might want to post at the oldgas dot com forum. Someone there should be able to help you with original photos, etc and maybe even more. Those guys are all about old gas stuff.
Great truck. In my opinion the pinnacle of art deco style for trucks.

 

Really appreciate the info. Thank you.

 

Really ambitious project. Very cool

 

Oh myyyyyyyyyyyy.Looks like the"bigger is better"thing going on here.Wishing you and your team the best.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

 

I hope you have the door for that!

 

Thanks. Really enjoying it so far.

 

Fortunately we do. All the loose panels came with it.