Moving one step closer to getting the ’38 Texaco tanker painted, the cab and Heil tank have been blasted and epoxy primed. Diamond T rubber parts have been manufactured, and Steve is currently painting suspension and brake components.
Category: Restoration (Page 1 of 3)
Continuing with the chassis restoration, the next step was to affix the fish plates to the chassis rails. Replicating the original construction would involve hot riveting the two steel surfaces together.
The stylish dash instruments from the Diamond T Texaco tanker have been fully repaired and restored, and have undergone a dramatic transformation. In addition, I have looked back at the history of the manufacturer of these stunning gauges, Stewart-Warner Corporation, being another chapter in the Texaco tanker’s story.
The modified, Heil built roof on the Diamond T cab has now been removed, and repairs have continued on the 614 cab body.
Steve has disassembled the rolling chassis and, in doing so, has discovered an important date in the Diamond T tanker’s history.
We are very excited to once again witness the talent of Simon Tippins and Craig Garland at Creative Metal Works. The work being undertaken this time, is the reinstatement of the Diamond T 614 cab.
The vitreous enamel process on the recreated TEXACO letters has been carried out at Procote Industries Limited in Dunedin, New Zealand. The “rolling billboard” signage is simply stunning.
As the fabrication work on the Heil body came to an end, Steve was focusing on the tanker lighting and hardware.
The fabrication work and repairs on the Heil tanker over the past month have continued to challenge the team at Creative Metal Works. Simon and Craig have battled with the heavy 16 gauge steel, and the extensive amount of lead that was applied during construction.
We have sourced a manufacturer of vitreous enamel here in New Zealand, and initial trials have been done to replicate the lettering on the Texaco tanker.
