NOVEMBER 2006 OLD TIME TRUCKS
Mark Welte’s Diamond REO Raider
By John & Shirley Sponholtz

Mark Welte of Richland Center, Wisconsin is the seventh owner of this 1975 Diamond REO Raider. When he bought it in 1995, he saved it from being cut up for scrap. It was in good mechanical condition, but needed a lot of body work due to rust. Mark estimates that he performed about an 80% restoration on the truck, which was finished in 1997. Diamond REO produced a large number of trucks with a setback front axle for use in the East, however, they began building the forward-axle model in an effort to compete with Peterbilt and Kenworth in the West – an effort that did not succeed. The forward-axle model is fairly rare, as it was only in production for about eight months. This particular truck was one of the last ones built, as Diamond REO was in bankruptcy by that time. Although the company was allowed to finish building what they had on the floor, they had to use whatever parts were on hand, which made finding the correct parts for Mark’s REO a challenge. Now the Diamond REO’s working life is over, and Mark enjoys taking it to shows with the Great Dane trailer shown in the photo. He uses it to haul some of his smaller REOs and especially likes taking it to all-REO shows, which are mostly cars. Needless to say, his big Raider stands out in that crowd. For more weird and wonderful old trucks, visit www.oldtimetrucks.org today.