I wonder if the diesel on my sailboat will start? Of course, I could always sail out, in a pinch, on an ebb tide.
It will start if you do not have a solid state ignition system or starter motor. If your deisel has a hand crank start option , you are good to go.
Pre 1970 vehicles with the old fashioned points systems would easily start although the resistors of the charging system might have to be replaced.