Our story began in early 2018 when we purchased an extremely rare, original and unrestored 1938 Diamond T streamlined Texaco tank truck.
1938 Diamond T Texaco streamlined tanker
A full restoration was carried out over the next 4 ½ years with help from a team of incredibly talented craftsmen and, in February 2023, we unveiled the finished truck. The full restoration journey has been shared on this site so we invite you to take a moment to read the updates and follow each step in the order it was taken.
We also discovered much of the tanker’s history with help from locals in Newberry County, South Carolina who recognised it online. Our research over 5 years has revealed that this truck is the only complete Diamond T streamlined tanker known to exist with a Heil tank.
The Texas Company (Texaco), Diamond T Motor Car Company and Heil Company all made significant contributions to the early years of transportation. These three iconic companies came together in 1938 to create this streamlined beauty.
But five years earlier, these same three companies created a futuristic, streamlined tanker that was originally called the “Diamond T Texaco Special”. Only seven were ever produced and it is believed that none exist today.
1933 Diamond T Texaco Special
Our next project is to build one of these “Texaco Doodlebugs” as the first faithful and correct recreation ever undertaken.
Thank you for your interest and taking the time to visit our blog. We hope you join us as we embark on a new journey of discovery and challenges.
Steve & Sue Keys
Auckland, New Zealand
May 2023
Click here to view the latest updates