I recently found a 1942 Diamond T 969 hard cab at a local steel
fabrication yard. The owner only want's $ 1,000 for it! The cab is in
excellent shape with no dents or cancer just minor surface rust. Interior is
still O.D. with canvas seats and 48,000 miles on the odometer. It has not
run in twenty years although the engine oil is full and there is coolant in
the block. With a little work it should run. Drivetrain and PTO's appear
fine, air brake system appears intact also. Front winch and winch behind cab
is present.
These are the good points. Here are the bad points. The entire wrecker
system to include bed are missing and a lift boom system has been added.
Chassis has not been altered except for some brackets for the boom have been
welded onto it. Also I have been told that the truck was parked because a
PTO started acting up? No obvious external damage upon inspection.
More good news is that a local tow truck operation that is still in
business
originally purchased the truck from the military after the war. It may be
possible to track down more info on the truck and the possible existence of
the wrecker body? Current owner is the third civilian owner.
Question time! Is the truck worthy as a restoration project or parts?
Are parts even available for this truck? Are there any weak points to this
model truck? If the wrecker body cannot be obtained I would like to add a
steel cargo box possibly a M-series drop side (sorry purists) so that the
truck will be of some use. Is this feasible?
Last question I promise! The $ 1,000 asking price seems fair but is it
resonable for a 969 with no wrecker system and a possible inop PTO?
Any help in this matter would be great. Thanks, James
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