In today’s world, a Caterpillar diesel in a tank seems like a naturally good idea. In World War II, however, diesel-powered tanks were not common. Certainly not with American ground forces.…
Sometimes the best ideas come to a company and bear fruit at the worst possible times. Such was the case when Allis-Chalmers designed and built a new line of 60 degree V6, V8 and V12 diesels.
While this Vintage Smoke column usually centers around period original diesels, this Mack drew our attention. While it’s technically a “resto-mod” it’s a resto mod done in a vintage way. Have…
Case was within sight of the top power tier of the tractor market when it debuted the 70 series tractors in 1969. Just in time for the ‘70s. The ‘70s…. 70 Series… get it? The top…
Making diesels user friendly was an uphill struggle in the late 1920s and early ‘30s. The advantages of the compression-ignition engine were generally known but the PITA involved in using one…
The engine in this story is one of the last built in the United States with a direct connection to the beginnings of internal combustion. If the name “Otto” tickles your memory a little, it’s…
In 1970, the United States Air Force announced it’s first operationally ready Bare Base squadron, the 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron. Part of the 4th Fighter Wing, which dated back to the…
Anybody here think their truck will still be in service 111 years from now? Here’s a 118 year old tugboat that remained in service for all but seven years of it’s life. The tug we now know as…
The M-Series Minneapolis-Moline tractors debuted in 1960, replacing the 5-Star tractors of the late 1950s in the middleweight tractor role. It was not a particularly good time for…
If you follow Vintage Smoke you will know we’ve covered engines from the Coolspring Power Museum several times and there are many more lined up for future articles. It’s truly a magical place…
Public and governmental outcry after the oil shortages of the early ‘70s forced U.S. auto, light truck and commercial truck makers towards economical diesel power. Inroads had already been…
John Deere was just couple of years away from debuting a completely new line of tractors when they found a giant hole in their small agricultural tractor line. They didn’t have a small diesel…
Whether you’ve seen them in person or not, you know there are diesel in ships and boats, road vehicles of all types, off road vehicles of all types and in every conceivable stationary use. If…
