The Texaco Doodlebug (also called the Diamond T Doodlebug) was a futuristic American

tanker truck Tanker may refer to: Transportation * Tanker, a tank crewman (US) * Tanker (ship), a ship designed to carry bulk liquids ** Chemical tanker, a type of tanker designed to transport chemicals in bulk ** Oil tanker, also known as a petroleum tan ...

of the 1930s. The vehicles were streamlined and highly aerodynamic. The overall shape, a flattened half-cylinder rounded at the front and tapered at the end, has been described as a "pill" or "breadloaf". The passenger cabin was blended into the body, and there were no fenders, hood, cowl, or running boards. The windshield was compound curved glass, quite advanced for the time. It stood only tall, very short for a tanker truck then or since. The bodies were made by Heil Trailer in Fort Payne, Alabama (museum there with references and photos from the build shop that produced them) and the chassis by

Diamond T The Diamond T Company was an American automobile and truck manufacturer. They produced commercial and military trucks. History The Diamond T Motor Car Company was founded in Chicago in 1905 by C. A. Tilt. Reportedly, the company name was creat ...

. The first model was publicly displayed in January 1933. The Texaco Doodlebug probably featured a rear-mounted Hercules L-head six-cylinder engine. The clutch and gearbox were actuated by air pressure. A microphone in the engine compartment connected to a speaker in the driver's position allowed the driver to hear the engine, so he would know when to shift. The Doodlebugs were part of an overall project by Texaco, contracted to industrial designers

Norman Bel Geddes Norman Bel Geddes (born Norman Melancton Geddes; April 27, 1893 – May 8, 1958) was an American theatrical and industrial designer. Early life Bel Geddes was born Norman Melancton Geddes in Adrian, Michigan and was raised in New Philadelp ...

and

Walter Dorwin Teague Walter Dorwin Teague (December 18, 1883 – December 5, 1960) was an American industrial designer, architect, illustrator, graphic designer, writer, and entrepreneur. Often referred to as the "Dean of Industrial Design", Teague pioneered in the ...

, to modernize their brand look. This project produced the Texaco star-T logo still used today and other updates, including the Doodlebug, which was designed by Bel Geddes and his design team. However, not many Doodlebugs were produced (some sources say six, but the actual number may be lost to history).

References

{{reflist, refs= {{cite web , url=http://www.diseno-art.com/news_content/2014/04/texaco-doodlebug/ , title=Texaco Doodlebug Tanker Truck , work=Diseno-art.com , accessdate=March 9, 2016 {{cite web , url=http://theoldmotor.com/?p=148721 , title=Texaco's Futuristic Streamlined Doodlebug Tank Trucks , first = Michael , last = Lamm , date=August 25, 2015 , work=The Old Motor , accessdate=March 9, 2016 {{cite web , url=http://www.banovsky.com/archive/diamond-t-doodlebug , title=February 13, 2015 , first = Michael , last = Banovsky , date=February 13, 2015 , work=Weird Cars , accessdate=March 9, 2016 {{cite web , url=http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2013/06/16/sia-flashback-the-1933-texaco-doodlebug-bel-geddess-truck-of-the-future/ , title=SIA Flashback – The 1933 Texaco Doodlebug: Bel Geddes's Truck of the Future , first = Daniel , last = Strohl , date=June 16, 2013 , work=Hemmings Daily , accessdate=March 9, 2016 {{cite web , url=http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2013/06/16/sia-flashback-the-1933-texaco-doodlebug-bel-geddess-truck-of-the-future/ , title=Bel Geddes's Truck of the Future , first = Michael , last = Lamm , date=September–October 1995 , number=149 , work=Special Interest Autos , accessdate=March 10, 2016 , page=38

External links

Article at The Gentleman Racer
with several pictures Tank trucks Trucks of the United States Vehicles introduced in 1933 Texaco Norman Bel Geddes