I don't know much about them, but I have always liked the early 80s VW diesels. Today's diesels are much more refined, but don't have the personality of the earlier models.

I also like the Izusu diesels from the early 80s. Those things would rattle your teeth out at idle, but I think they got great mileage and I believe they had good endurance as well. They didn't catch on, so you don't see many of them these days.