Mail truck question
 

I am going to look at a 29 ford mail truck.

what are the key elements to determine if it is real or a copy?

thank you in advance.

Re: Mail truck question
 

Check out the photo gallery on Postal A's. http://www.postalas.org/Gallery/index.php

Bob

Re: Mail truck question
 

Thank you Bob, already did that. I cant tell the difference from a few small photos.

Thought there would be a few defining points. Who made the bodies and are they tagged?

Re: Mail truck question
 

Ronn, click on the thumb nails and it will open an album once the album is open
you can click on those photos to enlarge them. Pay attention to the metal brackets
and the construction of the body and compare then to the one you are looking at.
The fake body is on the left.

Re: Mail truck question
 

Well I see some diff Bob- but one on left looks to be a copy of 30-31 whereas one on right 29.

did Ford build the actual bodies or? One builder or many builders?

Re: Mail truck question
 

Did they have taillights on both sides in 28-29? If you look at the Judging Standards, the 29 does not have or show taillights on either side, however they were supposed to have have a single taillight bolted to the side of the body with a single conductor spiral wound armored cable. The one on the left that might be a 30-31 has hinges and a lasp for the side window, they should be spring hinges. I don't think they were made the way the 30-31 picture shows. The door sliding side door tracks on the left (30-31?)are too far out from the body. Here's something you might look at, the Post Office required speed limiting governors on all mail trucks. Whew! Lot of things different from common commercial truck and there is a lot of information in the most recent RG & JS. If you are looking for or want to know an authentic mail truck, get the book.

Five different body builders and General Motors Truck Co. was one of them.

Re: Mail truck question
 

Look for OOOLD STAMPS, in hidden cracks & crevices.
Bill Digger

Re: Mail truck question
 

Once you have determined that what you are looking at is indeed a Model A Mail Truck, then check to make certain that all of the metal hardware is intact. There are a few folks that have made random pieces for these old gentlemen, but for the most part, and given the limited number and treatment that these trucks received, it is not uncommon to find "projects" that are missing some of the metal hardware. In particular, look for tailgate hardware, sliding door (inside and outside) hardware, and door handles. The '29's have a horseshoe shaped metal ring (cowling) that goes around the gas tank and lower cowlsection, and on the 29 models, there is also an extra flange that goes between the lower portion of the cowl and the wooden front windshield post/front body post. You might also make sure that you have a garage access with at least a seven-and-a-half foot tall doorway. We have a '29 that is still in the restoration process, so if you do happen to "close the deal", I would be interested in talking with you further about these trucks. Thanks and good luck.

Re: Mail truck question
 

Thank you for all of the information. Hope to see it this weekend.

It is an older restoration. And thank you Dick for mentioning the height of the garage door! something I didnt think about.

Re: Mail truck question
 

Do you know someone that has the restoration guidelines manual? There are 9 pages about the mail trucks and the fine details such as wipers that are different than the normal A.

Re: Mail truck question
 

York-Hoover. There are some body drawings here:


http://www.postalas.org/ModelAMTDrawings.pdf

Re: Mail truck question
 

For any Model A Mail Truck owner, by far and above the best resource book available is the one entitled "The Ford Model A Mail Truck" by Aldie Johnson, Jr., published in 1999 by The Postal A Press out of Bedford, MA. It is 180 pages of detailed research accumulated over an obvious number of years to include original construction specifications, requisite chassis component specifications, hardware, bolt sizes, etc., etc. You might also want to reach out to the Dan Perla of the MARC and MAFCA Postal A's Region/Chapter (his contact information is available through either of the two Clubs' web sites). Again, good luck with this going forward. Please keep us posted on your progress.

Re: Mail truck question
 

If it sleeps more then four...its real
Also applies to any government vehicle

Re: Mail truck question
 

I've owned a couple of unrestored mail trucks.
I remember letting air out of the tires in order to get them into the garage.
It might be a temporary considerations until you can raise the opening.

Re: Mail truck question
 

Re: Mail truck question
 

Not true, Original running chassis supplied by ford were supplied with champion 3x just like every A and AA. The Firestone POD plugs were installed by the post office garages as replacement plugs when the Campions were needing replaced. I believe this wasn’t until late 30’s early 40’s.

Re: Mail truck question
 

Ronn - did you get to see the mail truck? Any photos to post?

Re: Mail truck question
 

No I didnt Will
pre occupied with a hernia op tomorrow.........

damn! :)

Re: Mail truck question
 

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Re: Mail truck question
 

You're correct; I was referring to the replacement plugs, not to factory fitted plugs.


When were these trucks taken out of service? 1950s?

Re: Mail truck question
 

[QUOTE
When were these trucks taken out of service? 1950s?[/QUOTE]

The POD decommissioned them in 54, most postal authorities speculate each one had roughly 1 million miles of road usage....

Re: Mail truck question
 

When you get Home and start to feel human again . Don’t and I repeat don’t try to play Superman and lift anything other than the dr gave instructions for. Give it a little time to heal . And your be as good as new again with no future issues . If you try to do other than what your dr. told you there will be another surgery in the near future. I had mine done several years back and have had no issues. A few people that I know that had the same surgery that did not follow directions have had to redo it all over again. Godspeed and hope your on the mend soon.

Re: Mail truck question
 

Thank you Will- will try to go this week.

if I dont purchase it, will at least get some good photos and post for others to view.

Re: Mail truck question
 

m2m: 1955

Re: Mail truck question
 

thank you old car guy= was feeling good, skipped the pills and now a hurtin!
so took a pill and going to snooze...........

Re: Mail truck question
 

Re: Mail truck question
 

Decommissioned in 1954, and the only portion Ford played was supplying the body by others chassis, body builders supplied the bodies and the POD garages married the two. Some electrical differences like tail light and cargo light applications varied by garage. Many unrestored postal trucks like mine are more of a Frankenstein, as due to Ford part obsoletion required the POD garages to pillage the junk yards to keep them going until decommissioning.

V.P. - Postal A’s

Re: Mail truck question
 

Were there any type of "POD service bulletins" giving POD garages tips on how to keep these trucks going?

Have there been any books or articles by guys that worked at these POD garages? Be interesting to know how many miles these trucks generally traveled before needing major engine repairs.

Re: Mail truck question
 

I am surprised they lasted that long. Maybe I need to buy one since I own an old Post office that was also decommissioned in aprox. 1954. It was then remodeled as a residence for the retired postmistress.

Re: Mail truck question
 

I am going to pass on the mail truck, but if anyone is interested- fellas name is Ross
585 259 6806
truck is located in Western NY and listed on CL.

good luck!

Re: Mail truck question
 

Restored? Unrestored? Link? Can’t find nothing......

Re: Mail truck question
 

sorry Steve

go to syracuse cl and it is on there for 12500. older restoration-looks nice, but as I said, not sure if it is real or not.

Re: Mail truck question
 

It looks like it's home made. https://syracuse.craigslist.org/cto/...580867252.html


Bob

Re: Mail truck question
 

Thanks, not the best pictures and many liberties taken in a reconstructed mail truck, could be a fun vehicle for one not looking to be correct....

Re: Mail truck question
 

Ronn,
How are you doing?
I hope the pain is getting less and that you will be back to normal strength, soon.

Re: Mail truck question
 

Thanks Neil!
feeling real good and just taking it easy. The ride out to see the truck is over 2 hours each way and decided this wasnt the time.

To those that say the truck is incorrect, for the fun of it, could you all please explain and yes, the pictures arent very good.

Re: Mail truck question
 

I don't really see anything that is correct with the body.


Bob

Re: Mail truck question
 

Greeting Gents:


I purchased the 1931 Mail Truck under discussion here a couple of months ago. It is a solidly built "reconstruction/representation" of a 1931 Mail Truck on a standard 103.5" Model A chassis. It is not, to the best of my investigation, one of the original PO trucks. No 3 digit serial numbers stamped on the driver's seat box, the interior cargo door frame or any where else I can find. I managed to trace some of its history, which is of interest to me, perhaps others. It does start readily, runs and drives well and is in well preserved condition. I would say the body is new from around the late 1980's to mid-90's, well built and very solid. When the snow breaks in upstate NY I plan to drive her down to Virginia over a 3-4 day run down 2-lane backroads. This is not a show queen, won't be while I own her. I can promise we'll log as many miles as we can on the backroads of the Shenandoah Valley.

Re: Mail truck question
 

Thanks for the follow-up.
If you feel up to it, it'll be interesting to hear how the NY to VA trip goes, and photos would be appreciated.

Re: Mail truck question
 

Nice to hear 34- thanks for posting!