Cummins 100 Years of History

See how Cummins have changed the automotive landscape throughout history.

Hall of Fame 1919-1952

Cummins was founded in 1919 by inventor Clessie Cummins and financier William G. Irwin in Columbus, Indiana. Their first yellow logo would become red by the mid-1920s, perhaps reflecting the use of red paint on the Oil Engines after 1922 replacing dark grey.

1919: An Oil Engine Enterprise Begins:

A 6 hp single-cylinder Hvid was the first engine built by inventor Clessie Cummins and financier William G. Irwin in Columbus, Indiana. The range soon expanded to 1½, 3, 6 and 8 hp used for farm pumps and workshops. They were called ‘oil engines’ as they ran on diesel, kerosene or other ‘oil’ fuels, all lower cost than gasoline. Clessie’s first engine patent was to improve the operation of the Hvid licensed design. Only 21 of the 6 hp rated engines were built in the first year at the historic Cerealine Mill, today a part of Cummins Corporate Office.

1928: ‘Ten-Lite’ Electricity Beyond the Power Lines:

David Onan & Sons perfected the first small electric generator for country homes beyond the power lines, with their Ten-Lite keeping 10 light bulbs working for 12 hours on just 1 gallon of gasoline. The 350-watt DC output was delivered at a constant rpm speed to prevent light flickering. Initial sales came by touring rural areas in a car fitted with a Ten-Lite demonstrator and adverts in Popular Mechanics magazine. Plug-in radios later led to output increasing to 1500 watts AC. Today, Cummins still builds home generators in Minneapolis, location of the original Onan workshop.

1929: First US Diesel on the Road:

Clessie Cummins undertook a bold initiative by installing a 50 hp Model U marine engine in a Packard Limousine to make the 600-mile trip from Indianapolis to the New York Auto Show, averaging an impressive 35 mpg. As America’s first diesel car repower, the 6.3-liter, 4-cylinder made a big impression at the show - but was seen as more of a curiosity than a viable option. The Model U was the world’s first fully enclosed diesel, having no exposed moving parts and also one of the first to run at a higher 1000 rpm speed.

1930: ‘Neverslip’ First Diesel Crawler:

The first ever crawler tractor powered by a diesel took to the fields with Cummins 60 hp Model U 4-cylinder replacing a gasoline engine in a 6-ton Allis Chalmers Monach 50. Known as Neverslip, due to their strong traction over difficult ground, the Monach tractors were used for farming, logging, and road work. The Cummins installation remained a one-off trial that never went into production but pointed the way ahead for all future crawler tractors due to the diesel strength.

1931: First 100 mph Diesel:

Cummins Number 8 became the first diesel vehicle to reach 100 mph, running at Daytona Beach, Florida with a race modified Model U 4-cylinder, 6.3-liter with 85 hp. The 2-seat Duesenberg racer was purpose-designed for the engine and won further fame as the first diesel to compete at the Indy 500 race and first to finish without a pit stop. Number 8 raced for almost 6 hours with an average 16 mpg to cross the line in 13th position.

1932: Radical Railcar Design:

Reading Railroad 65 became the first diesel railcar to enter service in America, bringing a radically different stainless steel light body with rubber tire wheels. Cummins 125 hp 6-cylinder Model H fitted underfloor in the 42-seater branch line car, built by Budd Micheline and able to rapidly accelerate up to 55 mph. The stainless-steel body and diesel power would soon revolutionize the rail industry with the Zephyr trains - but the rubber tires were quickly removed, with the railcar running until 1952.

1935: First U.S. Car with Diesel Power:

Cummins new Model A powered several prestigious Auburn  Phaetons, promoted as the first passenger car available with a light duty diesel. The 6-cylinder 5.4-liter had a similar weight & size as a gasoline engine, rated 85 hp at 2500 rpm. With a remarkable 80 mph top speed and 40 mpg, the Auburn outperformed other European diesel car prototypes of the time from Citroen & Mercedes. However, Indiana-based Auburn ceased business a year later and the promising diesel initiative with one of America’s most imaginative car builders ended.

1937: Famous ‘Old Engine No.1’:

Stutz pumper truck Old Engine No.1 was the first emergency apparatus in North America to use a diesel engine. Cummins Model H with 160 hp enabled a fast response speed and the ability to pump 1000 gallons of water per minute. Following two years of promotional tours, the pumper entered service with the Columbus Fire Department in 1939 and remained on active duty until 1974. The famous pumper truck still resides at the Central Fire Station.

1941: Field Power goes Hand-Portable:

Onan built the first hand-portable generator sets with the rugged reliability needed for military service, supplying most of the field power used by US and Allied forces during WW2. The highly compact OTC unit with 2 kW output was used on the front line for everything from battery charging, radio communications & searchlights to field hospitals. The OTC was driven by Onan’s innovative 4-cycle twin cylinder 0.44-liter air-cooled gasoline engine, setting the small engine power standard for years ahead.

1947: Hauling the Priceless ‘Giant Eye’:

The world’s most valuable load, the 20 foot wide Giant Eye optical disc captured the attention of the nation as it undertook a slow 60-mile trek to the new Palomar Observatory in California, ready to open up the heavens as part of a huge telescope. Specialist heavy hauler Belyea Truck Co. used 3 modified Sterling trucks with Cummins 150 hp Model H and special trailer to deliver the delicate cargo, carefully climbing the final 12 miles of mountain road around 70 tight curves.

1952: Diesel Special 28 takes Pole Indy:

The Cummins Diesel Special 28 created a sensation at Indy 500 with a 138 mph record qualifying speed to take pole position. The radically different Kurtis-Kraft roadster long, low aerodynamic chassis was designed for the horizontal laid JT-600 6.6-liter. The uprated 420 hp lightweight diesel was boosted by the first turbocharger at Indy and Cummins new PT fuel system. After 172 laps on pace with the leaders the car was forced to retire due to a debris-clogged turbo – but had achieved its purpose as a technology game changer.

Hall of Fame 1953-1973

A new logo with a distinctive gold & black ‘plus’ cross would come to define 20 years of rapid growth, with Cummins becoming the leading diesel supplier for trucks in North America. Innovative technology such as the Pressure-Time (PT) fuel system, supercharging and turbocharging gave Cummins a major advantage.  

1953: ‘Diamond’ Diesel Starts Short Haul Success:

The Diamond T model 723 introduced the new Cummins supercharged JBS-600, bringing a 150 hp lightweight diesel for medium duty, short haul trucks up to 27 tons, well suited to the more restrictive truck weight limits of the Midwest & East coast. Built in Chicago, the 723 featured a curved windscreen for added visibility and highly stylized hood with easy access to the fuel-saving 6.6-liter. The J engine had previously achieved fame powering Cummins race cars, enhancing its appeal to drivers less familiar with diesels.

1954: ‘Pancake’ Power for First Diesel School Bus:

The Crown Supercoach was the first diesel-powered school bus, with a Cummins NHH-200 hp horizontal ‘pancake’ engine mounted midship underfloor. The 12.2-liter diesel was ideal for hill-climbing and enabled the chassis to add a third axle, increasing to 91 seat capacity for school districts with growing student populations. Known as the ‘royalty’ of school buses due to exceptional build quality, the 40 ft. long Crown featured 26 roll bars in the roof for added strength and safety.

1955: Niagara ‘Maids of the Mist’:

Two Maid of the Mist tour boats for Niagara Falls were built by Russel-Hipwell of Canada with twin Cummins 6-cyl. H Series each with 164 hp. The all-steel, 47-ton Maids were lowered down the gorge in 4 sections and welded together at river level. For added safety in the strong currents, the twin engines drove twin propellers & rudders, so each could work independently if one failed. With 101-passengers, the Maids were remarkably robust, working for 30 years to become attractions in their own right for sightseers & honeymooners.

1959: A New Breed of Super-Sized Tractors:

The Wagner TR initiated a new class of super-sized articulated tractors with 4-wheel drive/steer for large farm use and difficult terrains. Weighing 6.5 to 10-tons, the TR range used Cummins 8.1-to-12.2-liter engines up to 150 hp, enabling the pulling power of a crawler tractor but with rubber tire speed and mobility. By 1961 the upgraded WR series appeared, with the largest WR 17 powered by the new N855 with 250 hp, setting a14-liter standard for big tractors for over 40 years. 

1960: Vintage ‘Super Sherman’ Upgrade:

Several hundred vintage U.S. Sherman battle tanks of WW2 fame were re-engineered into the formidable M50 & M51 Super Sherman by the Israeli Defense Force. Cummins vee 8-cylinder 15.6-liter VT8-460 VP complimented a new, high mobility suspension and enhanced firepower. With some in service until the early 1980s, the tanks proved their combat credentials on the battlefield and remain the best ever example of obsolete tanks upgraded well beyond their original capability.

1962: ‘Boat 4’ Most Advanced Firefighter:

Los Angeles Fire Department launched L.A. City No.4 as the world’s most advanced harbor fireboat, able to pump a huge 9,000 gallons of water per minute with precise positioning. The open sea capable vessel had twin 12-cylinder VT-1710 24-liter engines with 800 hp propulsion for rapid response. Four other Cummins diesels provided 1300 hp to the 3 turret pumps and 2 waterline nozzle pumps. The fireboat was later renamed Bethel F. Gifford in honor of the fire battalion chief who inspired the vessel design.

1966: ‘Merry-Go-Round’ Fastest Diesel on Water:

British offshore power boat Merry-Go-Round 69 with twin Cummins VT 8-cylinder VINE 12.9L engines broke the world diesel water speed record by achieving over 60 mph on Southampton Water. The engines were specially adapted to provide an installed power of 1,040 hp. After setting the record, the needle nose, deep V racer was set for a promising racing career but was badly damage by a quayside lifting accident just before the Miami Nassau Race.

1968: ‘Piggy Packer’ Lift and Carry Capability:

PC-90 Piggy-Packer was the first handler able to lift and carry containers or trailers direct from rail to truck, ideally suited to the growing number of intermodal terminals across North America. The Rayco-Wagner 45-tonner loaded 12 trailers/containers per hour from a flatbed ‘piggyback’ rail car, with Cummins NH-855C providing 250 hp with rapid torque to driveline, lift, and grapple. With the driver sitting 13 ft. high, the PC-90 stacked containers 3-high, becoming a forerunner of today’s reach stackers.

1969: First Jet Tow for the Jumbo:

When the first PAN AM Boeing 747 flew between New York and London, a new breed of super strong tow tractor powered by the Cummins VT1710 was ready to pull the massive jumbo jets between runway and terminal. The Lectra Haul T-150 was soon joined by Hough and Hendrikson tractors using the same 635 hp 28-liter diesel – all with near 500-ton capability, twice that needed by previous tractors. The powerful but compact vee engine enabled a very low 5 ft. body height and space for 4x4 drive/steering.

1970: Menacing ‘Duel’ Film Truck:

A vintage Peterbilt model 281 took a menacing look as the truck tanker double in the cult movie Duel by Steven Spielberg. The original 262 hp NH-743 12.2-liter Cummins was upgraded to a 350 hp NTC-855 for the filming. Regarded as one of the truck classics, the 281 with distinctive narrow nose and butterfly style opening hood was built from 1954 up to 1976.

1973: Engine 51 Star of ‘Emergency!’:

When Los Angeles County ordered a fleet of P-80 pumpers, Ward LeFrance also supplied  one to Universal Studios to be the new ‘Engine 51’ star of the popular TV series Emergency! with the high-profile exposure soon tripling sales. Cummins NH855 with 250 hp enabled 1000 gals per minute pumping, with a 295 hp turbo rating also used for 1250 GPM. The P-80 had a unique look with double-slant frontage, intended to give unobstructed vision for the driver. The famous 51 resides at the County Fire Museum.

Hall of Fame 1974-2004

The single blue letter of the new logo would come to define diesel power over the next 30 years, as Cummins established its position as the world’s largest and most successful independent diesel company. Aligned with the new brand identity, Cummins embarked upon a relentless pursuit of innovation and new product development, realizing the potential of the world’s largest, most advanced diesel research center in Columbus with 88 test cells. 

1974: Biggest Truck Crane Takes to the Road with First K19:

The DEMAG HC 500 leapt ahead of all other all-terrain telescopic cranes with the heaviest 160-ton lift and longest boom, one of the first users of the new Cummins K Series 19-liter engine with 500 hp. The German built 8-axle giant was road legal and fully self-contained, with 5-section boom opening to 155 ft. in just 80 seconds. A compact V555 adding 200 HP for crane power and unique hydraulic outriggers to enable rapid set-up.

1975: Telescope Transporter at the Very Large Array:

A unique transporter began carrying the 230-ton radio antennas of the Very Large Array (VLA) into pads on rail tracks, powered by a 400 hp Cummins NT855. The 27 antennas regularly need to be transported as they group together or spread out along 23 miles to vary resolution while searching the universe. The 14-liter engine drives a hydraulic fluid system for the 4-drive motors and 24-wheels at a careful 3 mph. The New Mexico VLA has featured in many movies, including ‘Contact’ in 1997.

1978: X-Wing ‘Quickie’ Takes to the Skies:

Powered by a specially modified 22 hp Onan B48M 2-cylinder gasoline engine, the Quickie won acclaim as a home build kit plane with 140 mph top speed and able to fly long distance with unprecedented fuel efficiency. Created by aeronautic expert Burt Rutan, some 800 of the radical X-Wing design single-seaters were built.

1981: Transporting the Shuttle Rockets:

The SRM transporter was designed to carry the eight solid rocket motor segments for the Space Shuttle at NASA Kennedy Space Center. Cummins NTA855 with 400 hp powered the 309-ton carrier, built by Kamag of Germany with 48 wheels on 6 drive axles and 6 brake axles. The transporter worked until the last shuttle flight in 2011.

1987: ‘Atlantic Flyer’ First Balloon Across the Atlantic:

Virgin Atlantic Flyer was the first hot air balloon to cross the Atlantic, riding the jet stream at speeds up to 130 mph taking 16 hours for the 1,600-mile journey. The all-important power for the burner and pressurized capsule came from a 14 hp Onan 2-cylinder propane gas engine, adapted to work at 27,000 ft. altitude for the immense 196 ft. High balloon, with Sir Richard Branson as one of the two pilots.

1989: Starting a RAM Revolution:

Cummins 5.9-liter Turbo Diesel transformed the pickup truck market when introduced for the Dodge RAM 250 & 350. Thanks to a masterful installation, the 160 hp turbocharged engine with 400 lb.-ft. gave a huge torque advantage, enabling owners to haul trailers some 2 tons heavier than any other pickup. Orders for almost 20,000 diesel RAMs in the first year were double the highest expectations, initiating a powerful partnership that continues today.

1994: RAM Recon Power Sets Speed Record:

Reaching 141 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, a standard Dodge RAM set a land speed record for a street legal diesel vehicle, featuring a remanufactured Cummins B5.9. The project showed that very high performance was achievable by using just a stock Cummins Recon engine, applying higher turbo boost and faster fuel injection uprating to 450 hp.

1995: ‘Wild Thing’ Race to the Clouds:

Wild Thing II was the first Class 8 truck to complete the extreme high-altitude ‘Race To The Clouds’ mountain climb race at Pikes Peak in Colorado, running 12.4 miles in under 17 minutes while climbing from 9,300 ft. to 14,110 ft. The modified Navistar International 8200 tractor was powered by Cummins N14 with Celect electronics enabling uprating from 525 hp to over 1,000 hp.

1997: Superyacht Sails to a New Standard:

Tigre d’Or was the first of an elite series built by Dutch shipyard Amel and had a major influence on the way superyachts would be built, combining elegance with ocean going endurance. With 2,400 hp from twin KTA38 Cummins, the steel hull 164 ft. vessel won ‘Best Power Award’ and was the first superyacht to meet new marine safety standards. High fuel efficiency gives the vessel a huge range of 4,500 miles.

1997: Signature 600 Goes Coast-to-Coast:

A coast-to-coast convoy of 6 big rigs heralded the arrival of the Signature 600 engine from Cummins, to showcase the 600 hp capability of the new 15-liter. The striking truck line-up created huge anticipation for the new engine, destined to replace the N14. The engine was a radical design departure from other heavy-duty diesels and looked every bit as good as it performed, with racing red color and chromed valve cover to signal its premium status.

1998: ‘Adventurer’ Fastest Circumnavigation of the Globe:

The Cable & Wireless Adventurer achieved the fastest circumnavigation of the globe under power in 74 days, 21 hours to break the record by 9 days. Supported by Cummins service on-route for the 24,000 miles, the UK-built trimaran had twin C8.3 Cummins engines with a total 700 hp and auxiliary power from Onan gensets. The extremely slender 113-ft. long hull reduced fuel consumption and enabled a 25-mph cruising speed.

1999: Saving the Leaning Tower:

The world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa was saved from collapse after intricate ground stabilization work by Soilmec drill rigs with Cummins QSB6.7 power. With precision electronic engine control, the Italian built rigs were able to drill and extract 70 tons of soil, insert piles and inject stabilizing cement. The 12th century bell tower was straightened by 14 inches.

1999: ‘Red Racer’ Sets 162 mph Speed Record:

CFI Red Racer-Flat Out set a new 162.6 mph speed record for a heavy-duty diesel truck at the Bonneville Salt Flats. The Kenworth T2000 was powered by Cummins QSK19, uprated to a huge 2,200 hp with dual turbos to break the existing record by 15 mph. Red Racer competed in the Highway Hauler class, closest to a standard truck, though fitted with high-speed aircraft tires and dual parachutes for braking by the Contract Freighters Inc. and Kenworth race team.

2001: Fastest Drag Racing Heavy-Duty Truck:

Cummins M11 powered a Sisu truck operated by the EVS drag racing team in Malta to an astonishing 11.7 seconds over a quarter mile run, setting a new world record for the heavy-duty diesel truck class. The latent strength of the 11-liter engine was fully realized with an engineering uprate to a huge 1,600 hp, compared to the typical 400 hp output. The truck reached an exit speed of 122 mph when setting the record. 

2002: 222 mph ‘Sidewinder’ Fastest Diesel Pick-Up:

Sidewinder became the world’s fastest diesel pickup truck with an average 217 mph speed over a two-way flying mile with a top speed of 222 mph to shatter existing records. Running on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, the Dodge Dakota was powered by a 5.9-liter ISB up-rated to 735 hp by Cummins and the Gale Banks racing team, using ice cold water for engine cooling. 

2004: Magical Triple-Decker ‘Knight Bus’:

The magical tripled-decked Knight Bus which appeared in ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ movie is a working vehicle, cleverly built from the bodies of two old AEC London RT buses then grafted on to a Cummins B6.7 powered Dennis coach chassis to carry the extra 2-ton weight. The bus provides public transport for wizards for all destinations, joining the thousands of other Cummins powered buses in London for Muggle transport.

Hall of Fame 2005-2019

2005 was the best ever financial year in the company’s history, following a five-year reshaping of the Company into what was called ‘The New Cummins’, less cyclical, more diversified and with a stronger global footprint. This business transformation paved the way for a new brand strategy uniting all businesses and products under a new Cummins red and black color identity, to give a bolder, more vibrant look and feel.

2005: Jumbo Power for the ‘Sultan’s Elephant’:

The enormous mechanical Sultan’s Elephant provided spectacular street theatre while touring cities across Europe, able to walk and manipulate limbs with seamless ease. Power from a 400 hp Cummins QSM11, drove the complex hydraulics and motors of the 42-ton and 37-ft high jumbo, built by French company Royal de Luxe. Flapping leather ears and puffs of dust sent up by  its plodding feet added to the spectacular effect.

2006: 1-Mile Long Roadtrain Sets the World Record:

Cummins Signature 620 hp pulled the world’s longest roadtrain into the record books, powering an Australian-built Mack Titan hooked up to 113 loaded trailers stretching close to a mile long. The driver needed high precision to utilize the 2800 Nm torque for moving the 1,433-ton combined weight a required distance of 100 meters or 328 ft. The mega-pull challenge was arranged to benefit local charities as well as break the record.

2007: 1.5-Millionth Engine for the RAM:

With a landmark reached of 1.5 million engines supplied by Cummins for the Dodge RAM since 1989, the arrival of the new generation 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel would take the 2500 and 3500 pickups to a new performance peak with 350 hp and 880 Nm. Technology including the VGT variable geometry turbo and DPF Diesel Particulate Filter made the engine as clean as it was powerful, already certified to meet EPA 2010 very low emission standards, taking the Ram beyond other heavy-duty pickup trucks.

2008: Storm Chasing TIV2 Interceptor:

The TIV2 Tornado Intercept Vehicle made its TV debut with storm chaser Sean Casey, capturing remarkable up close tornado filming. It sits on a Dodge RAM 3500 chassis with Cummins 6.7-liter uprated to 625 hp to give 100 mph top speed, despite the armored shield against 150 mph winds. In addition to media fame, the TIV2 serves as a rolling lab to capture wind speeds and other data for weather scientists. The TIV2 and its engine has survived many direct intercepts, helped by hydraulic spikes anchoring into the ground.

2009: First Hybrid Tug Sets a Clean Power Standard:

Foss Maritime launched the Carolyn Dorothy as the world’s first diesel-electric hybrid tug, proving successful with harbor ship assist on the West Coast with a 58-ton bollard pull. Installed power of 3,300 hp came from 2 x Cummins QSK50 main engines and 2 x QSM11, driving electric generators and battery storage pack. The highly flexible system adjusted power to demand, reducing fuel use by up to 30% and emissions by over 40%, leading the way for diesel-electric tugs today.

2012: Return of the London ‘Routemaster’:

Few things are associated with London as much as its red buses, so the arrival of the new Routemaster hybrid was warmly welcomed, taking its design inspiration from the original Routemaster. Cummins ISB4.5 with 170 HP was the first 4-cyl. engine to power a double deck bus, reducing fuel and CO2 by up to 50%. Within a few years, 1,000 of the new hybrids with 87 passenger capacity were in service, with some of old iconic Routemasters retained for heritage routes, many with Cummins repowers.

2014: “That’s why we call this SuperTruck”:

The SuperTruck I program teamed together Cummins 400 hp ISX15 with a Peterbilt 579, achieving a US Dept. of Energy goal to improve the freight efficiency of heavy-duty trucks with an astonishing 10.7 mpg. That success was highlighted by President Obama during an event to promote carbon reduction, saying “That’s why we call this SuperTruck. It’s impressive, this one right here.” Initiated in 2012, the program also broke the 50% barrier for BTE brake thermal efficiency.

2016: First Flight of Fuel Cell HY4:

A milestone in zero emissions aircraft was achieved with the first flight of HY4 from Stuttgart airport powered by an 80-kW HyPM fuel cell module from Hydrogenics, now Cummins technology. Developed by Germany’s DLR Institute and aircraft builder Pipistrel, the glider-based plane has twin fuselages to seat 4 passengers, with H2 fuel tanks and small battery located behind. Fuel cells, electric motor and propeller are located mid-wing. HY4 has continued to advance the feasibility of fuel cell flight with 90 test flights by 2022 and flying 77 miles between airports.

2016: Generating Power for NASA’s Crawler-Transporter:

NASA crawler-transporter II began launch pad test runs at Kennedy Space Center after a major upgrade, installing two Cummins QSK60 generators totalling 4,400 hp. Proving fuel-efficient and reliable, they generate 3,000-kW electricity for all onboard AC systems and hydraulic pumps for steering, jacking and levelling. Able to carry 9,000-tons, CT-2 is the largest self-powered land machine ever built, moving the launch platform and rocket into position at 1 mph, propelled by the original 1965 locomotive engines.

2017: Ingenious ‘Cummins Railton’ Replica:

The Cummins Railton pays homage to the record-breaking Napier Railton of the mid-1930s, a highly accurate replica apart from a modern driveline with Cummins 6.7-liter engine taking the place of the 24-liter original Lion engine. The remarkable replica was created in the UK by engineer Terry Clarke, with the Cummins Darlington team uprating the QSB engine to 500 hp with turbocharging and supercharging to develop a Lion’s roar of its own, with top speed over 150 mph and taking 5.5 seconds to reach 60 mph.

2017: ‘Blue Planet II’ Exploration Yacht:

The Alucia research and exploration yacht achieved fame as the oceanographic filming platform for the BBC ‘Blue Planet II’ series presented by Sir David Attenborough. Powered by twin Cummins KTA50 with 3,200 hp provides fast and fuel-efficient cruising for the 183 ft. vessel. With 3,280 ft. deep submersibles, diving operations, helicopter, and onboard laboratories, the Alucia brought never seen before footage to TV screens around the world.

2017: Crate Engine Runs in Brutal ‘Ultimate Adventure’:

Cummins smallest engine was introduced to North America as the R2.8 Turbo Diesel for repowering 4x4 extreme overlanders. The ready to install, out of the crate 161 hp diesel proved its rock crawling capability as the feature engine in the brutal 1,000-mile Ultimate Adventure event for several years. The 2.8-liter met every terrain and temperature challenge, while delivering around twice the fuel economy of most gasoline powered vehicles in the events.

2019: RAM Ranch Power Features in ‘Yellowstone’:

A Cummins-powered RAM received wide visibility in the highly popular ‘Yellowstone’ series, with John Dutton, played by Kevin Costner, driving his Heavy Duty 3500 Laramie crew cab all over Montana and across his huge ranch. The truck has proved an inspired product placement, aligning with the cowboy virtues of toughness and self-reliance. Back at the Walesboro plant in Indiana, Cummins reached a remarkable production total of 3 million Turbo Diesels for the Ram, a power partnership spanning 30-years with the latest 6.7-liter rated 400 hp and the first to reach 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque.

2019: Famous Five Run Again at Indy:

The famous five Cummins Diesel Specials took to the track again at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the vintage parade lap ahead of the Indy 500-mile race. The legendary No.8, 5, 6, 61 and 28 were fully restored to commemorate Cummins 100th anniversary, still with their original engines. Each had established their place in diesel racing history, starting in 1931 with No.8 as the first diesel to reach 100 hp and finish the Indy 500 without a pit stop, to 1952 when No.28 set a record 138 mph qualifying speed to take pole position.