The Recycled Part

Which of these vehicles says "Cummins Diesel Engine" to you?

For most of us who were born in the late 20st century and aren't in the heavy-trucking industry, the answer is probably the beast-mode Ram 3500 below. But Cummins has a rich legacy of technical innovations, and, not only that, the company namesake (Clessie Cummins) was a significant force behind the adoption of the diesel engine as a legitimate power source for American automobiles.

Clessie went tho significant lengths to practically demonstrate his engine's usefulness, durability, and efficiency throughout the 1920's and 1930's. In 1931, Clessie staged a famous exhibition by driving a Marion truck powered with one of his Model U engines from New York to Los Angeles in 97 hours! This feat was accomplished more that twenty years before the advent of the Interstate highway system. Though this exhibition wasn't unique, as other trucks had made the same journey, he beat the gasoline powered competition by shaving more than seven hours off their driving time. The main reason citied was less stops for refueling, hence better overall gas mileage.

Also in 1931, Clessie entered a 4-cylinder, Cummins-powered Model A Duesenberg into the Indianapolis 500 (pictured above). The car qualified for 17th position with average lap-speeds of 96 mph, although that was the slowest in the field. But what the car lacked in speed, the engine made up for in reliability and efficiency. Ultimately they finished in 13th place...and never stopped, not even once, for a pit stop. They raced the entire 500 miles non-stop; something that had never been done or attempted before. Not only that, but at the end of the race they averaged north of 86mph, had only burned 31 gallons of diesel (averaging 16 mpg), and the total cost of fuel and lubricants consumed was about $2.40. That's a very respectable price to compete in such a prestigious race and one of many reasons Cummins has become the brand it is. Maybe take your Dodge Ram 3500 out on the Indianpolis Motor Speedway and see if you can do 500 miles at 86 mph with no stops? ;-)

See our Cummins engines for Dodge 3500's

See our Cummins engines for Dodge 2500's

While we don't have a 4-cylinder Cummins for your 1931 Model A Duesy, we do have hundreds of pre-driven and guaranteed 5.9L and 6.7L Dodge Cummins available priced at less than half of what you would pay new. We also carry every part you could need for your Dodge Cummins truck, for less, at autowrecking.com.

*Thanks to Car&Driver and CumminsForum for the photos!