Green Dash Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 My Dad drove many a truck, but owned only one. In late 1977 with no business plan and a few thousand dollars, he bought a 1970 Diamond Reo cabover and was now an owner/operator. He did this for a few years and was actually successful. He just got tired of the extra work involved in running your own truck and was looking for a little less stress as he entered his 60's.It had a 318 Detroit, RTO-913 trans, and 4.44 rears on Hendrickson "walking beam" suspension.Folks from the NYC metro area might recognize the trailer in this next pic. It was owned by Pinter Brothers Trucking from Deer Park,NY. They had recently gone out of busniess and were renting out their equipment. My Dad used their trailers before eventually buying himself a '69 Great Dane 40 x 12'6 reefer. 1 Quote Jim Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 That must have been one rough ride. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-102611 Share on other sites More sharing options...
smorse54 Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 That is one fine looking truck!My first truck was a 1974 GMC Astro with a 318 and a 13 speed.Nothing sounded any better than a well tuned Detroit,even if you you weren't going as fast as it sounded. Steve Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-102614 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Dash Posted February 18, 2012 Author Share Posted February 18, 2012 That is one fine looking truck!My first truck was a 1974 GMC Astro with a 318 and a 13 speed.Nothing sounded any better than a well tuned Detroit,even if you you weren't going as fast as it sounded. SteveI still remember feeling that my insides were "vibrating" for a few minutes after getting out of the truck. That must have been one rough ride.I had rode shotgun in several cabovers by this time and I don't remember this one being any worse than the others, including a KW with torsion bar. I'd say they all sucked equally. Of course what I thought was normal back then would probably kill me today. Quote Jim Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-102655 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bollweevil Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 One of the smoothest riding cab overs that I ever sat in was a very short wheel base 72 Marman with a twelve leaf front suspension. I bob tailed it from Atlanta to Houston to pick up a trailer, and ended up bob tailing back. My ears are still ringing after 30 or so years from the 318, but I have never owned a cab over or conventional that would handle the the pot holes and bridge approaches across Miss. and Louisiana, as well as that little truck did. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-102667 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bollweevil Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 My Dad drove many a truck, but owned only one. In late 1977 with no business plan and a few thousand dollars, he bought a 1970 Diamond Reo cabover and was now an owner/operator. He did this for a few years and was actually successful. He just got tired of the extra work involved in running your own truck and was looking for a little less stress as he entered his 60's.It had a 318 Detroit, RTO-913 trans, and 4.44 rears on Hendrickson "walking beam" suspension.Folks from the NYC metro area might recognize the trailer in this next pic. It was owned by Pinter Brothers Trucking from Deer Park,NY. They had recently gone out of busniess and were renting out their equipment. My Dad used their trailers before eventually buying himself a '69 Great Dane 40 x 12'6 reefer. That was a pretty neat old truck, my best guess, is so was your dad. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-102695 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Dash Posted February 18, 2012 Author Share Posted February 18, 2012 That was a pretty neat old truck, my best guess, is so was your dad.A unique man to say the least. Then again, his cb handle since the early 1960's was "Boll Weevil". Quote Jim Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-102708 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Blais Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Your Dad had good taste. Not too many of those left today. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-102828 Share on other sites More sharing options...
vision386 Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 Nice pictures! thanks for sharing,i always enjoy seeing pictures from other families evolved in the trucking business...........................................Mark 1 Quote Mack Truck literate. Computer illiterate. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-102893 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Dash Posted February 19, 2012 Author Share Posted February 19, 2012 Your Dad had good taste. Not too many of those left today.Thank You.Nice pictures! thanks for sharing,i always enjoy seeing pictures from other families evolved in the trucking business...........................................MarkHe was the first and it's looking like I'll be the last. Oh well, we had a good run! Quote Jim Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-102968 Share on other sites More sharing options...
vision386 Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Mines kinda unique,my grandfather was the oldest of two brothers in the trucking business,my dad also the oldest of two brothers in trucking,and i am also the oldest of two trucking....i only have one son,and unless he smartens up,does better in school,he may find his ass in a seat before its over!...........................Mark Quote Mack Truck literate. Computer illiterate. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-103006 Share on other sites More sharing options...
storkmack Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 I am the third generation of my family to be involved in the trucking industry. I grew up around it, so I knew what I was getting into. The way I look at it, trucks always kept food on the table and a roof over my head. I also enjoy everyday that I get to go to work. -Brad 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-103016 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Dash Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 I am the third generation of my family to be involved in the trucking industry. I grew up around it, so I knew what I was getting into. The way I look at it, trucks always kept food on the table and a roof over my head. I also enjoy everyday that I get to go to work. -BradAbsolutely. I knew from an early age that this was what I wanted to do but didn't actually become a full-time driver until I was 38. I had let myself get talked out of it when I was younger and thought I would eventually lose the desire to get into trucking. That never happened so here I am. I still look in the mirrors and out over the hood and think that I have to coolest job in the world.I once told my Wife that she may not want me to offer career advice to our children. If they had come to me saying that there was nothing in the world they rather do more than shovel $hit for a living, I'd be down at the hardware store buying a shovel. Quote Jim Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-103042 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Maikshilo Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Very nice photos and nice story. I had a wagon with duals on the back and would put that thing everywhere and when I parked it I would make air brake noise. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-103066 Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Nice photos and great memory. I remember Pinter Brothers, they were all over central L.I. One of their trailers is in the RV dealer next to Gabarelli Mack in Medford. Wish I had pics of my pops and uncles stuff when Walton P Davis from when was a good company. Did you live on the Island? Paul Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-103077 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Dash Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 Nice photos and great memory. I remember Pinter Brothers, they were all over central L.I. One of their trailers is in the RV dealer next to Gabarelli Mack in Medford. Wish I had pics of my pops and uncles stuff when Walton P Davis from when was a good company. Did you live on the Island? PaulYes in fact I graduated high school from William Floyd in '80. Born in Mineola and lived in Carle Place, Westbury, Terryville, Selden and 3 places in "Shirley and the Mastics"I just noticed that trailer has the new logo on the nose and the old logo on the side.Was Walton P. Davis a moving company? I remember the name but can't picture the equipment. Quote Jim Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-103098 Share on other sites More sharing options...
vision386 Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 I am the third generation of my family to be involved in the trucking industry. I grew up around it, so I knew what I was getting into. The way I look at it, trucks always kept food on the table and a roof over my head. I also enjoy everyday that I get to go to work. -Brad Same here,bad part is i STILL play with trucks!........................................Mark Quote Mack Truck literate. Computer illiterate. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-103154 Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 Yes in fact I graduated high school from William Floyd in '80. Born in Mineola and lived in Carle Place, Westbury, Terryville, Selden and 3 places in "Shirley and the Mastics"I just noticed that trailer has the new logo on the nose and the old logo on the side.Was Walton P. Davis a moving company? I remember the name but can't picture the equipment.Born and raised in Oyster Bay spent summers as slave labor at family potato farm in Mattituck , transplanted to Shirley a few years ago for the space. WAlton P Davis was a moving and storage company in Locust Valley at Barneys Corner and ran bright red COE Internationals and F Macks. They also hauled race horses from Roosevelt and Aquaduct race tracks to Saratoga Fla.. Rode right seat with my uncle when I was a kid on local runs. Pop worked weekends servicing their trucks and trailers. I was head tool hander at about 6 or 7 years old. Started my career in mechanics and driving then. Paul Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-103164 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Dash Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 I vaguely remember the moving vans but the only local horse carrier I recall pulling out of Roosevelt was Woodbury Horse Transportation. They had black IH Transtars.Is that farm still putting out potatoes? Quote Jim Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-103201 Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 I vaguely remember the moving vans but the only local horse carrier I recall pulling out of Roosevelt was Woodbury Horse Transportation. They had black IH Transtars.Is that farm still putting out potatoes?I've got the last 16 acres left out of the original 500. 3 have my shop and equipment on it, one is a buffer and 12 are leased to Pindar Vineyards. Not any market for L.I. potatos any more.W.P.Davis carried the trotters that each of the Pratt, Schiff and the Woodward families owned. Paul Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-103281 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Maikshilo Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 I've got the last 16 acres left out of the original 500. 3 have my shop and equipment on it, one is a buffer and 12 are leased to Pindar Vineyards. Not any market for L.I. potatos any more.W.P.Davis carried the trotters that each of the Pratt, Schiff and the Woodward families owned. PaulI always liked the farms on L.I. They were very beautiful and green. I would take the ferry out of New London and spend the day out on L.I. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-103385 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Dash Posted February 22, 2012 Author Share Posted February 22, 2012 I've got the last 16 acres left out of the original 500. 3 have my shop and equipment on it, one is a buffer and 12 are leased to Pindar Vineyards. Not any market for L.I. potatos any more.W.P.Davis carried the trotters that each of the Pratt, Schiff and the Woodward families owned. PaulI figured it would be producing either grapes or condos. Good to see it's still being farmed.I always preferred car rides to the North Fork versus the South. Seeing all that farmland was enough to make you forget you were still on the island.Did the New London Ferry allow tractor trailers? i'm thinking we may have used it to bring a load from Quincy,MA to Waldbaum's in Central Islip. Quote Jim Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-103392 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Maikshilo Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 I figured it would be producing either grapes or condos. Good to see it's still being farmed.I always preferred car rides to the North Fork versus the South. Seeing all that farmland was enough to make you forget you were still on the island.Did the New London Ferry allow tractor trailers? i'm thinking we may have used it to bring a load from Quincy,MA to Waldbaum's in Central Islip.I know they allowed ten wheelers but I'm not sure on trailer trucks. I'm sure the farm land is worth more planting houses than veggies now. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-103395 Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Back in the mid 80's I started to sell off because I was taxes equal to the abutting homes. That changed in the mid 90's with the Save the Farm push, but by 2000 we were all limited by local enviromental laws concerning dust from plowing, water usage and fertilizing (mostly created by the city people at their summer homes). Sold most to Pindar and leased 12 and donated the house to Suffolk County Historical Society. Here is me a few winters ago with some of whats left, including Granpa Stazweski's tractor. New London Ferry takes all trucks here is the link to fees.https://www.longislandferry.com/Common/Help.aspx?page=fares Paul Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-103403 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enck762 Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 (edited) Green Dash -very cool truck, I like the paint scheme. Look great next to my Brockway cabover at a show(when i get it done)! Edited February 23, 2012 by Enck762 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/23322-my-dads-diamond-reo/#findComment-103536 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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