Detroit Diesel Series 60: Not the First Four-Stroke

No. The Detroit Diesel Series 60 (1987) was not the company's first four-stroke engine.

First Detroit Diesel Four-Stroke: Series 40 (also called Series 110), introduced in 1942 for military use (GMC trucks, landing craft). Inline-6, 4.3L/265 cu in, 110 hp.

Timeline

• 1938: Detroit Diesel (GM) founded – focused on two-stroke (Series 53, 71, 92, 149)
• 1942: Series 40/110 – first four-stroke
• 1950s–60s: Series 30, 50 (four-stroke)
• 1987: Series 60 – first electronic-controlled heavy-duty four-stroke; revolutionary for trucking

The Series 60 was a game-changer (fuel efficiency, emissions, diagnostics) but came 45 years after Detroit's first four-stroke.