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Wait A Minute Mr. Postman! 1929 Mail Truck

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What a great old truck! This 1929 Ford Model A has been owned by the seller for the last 43 years. It’s showing 23,192 miles but who knows how many times it’s been around–and who really cares? It’s now in Shawnee, Kansas. The seller has listed it here on eBay, with bidding starting pretty low but there’s a reserve. Let’s look a little closer.

31 MT 11515 Verna

image courtesy of Model A Ford Club of America

As it turns out, there were a lot of these Model A mail trucks made; you can read about them at this link, and there’s a video of a nice one here. Around 1400 of these “A” based trucks were produced by Ford for the USPS, along with some “AA” based larger vehicles as well. There was also a book written in 1999 specifically about these mail trucks, so if you want to restore this one or at least check it for originality, it won’t be difficult.

Unfortunately, we don’t know if this particular Model A runs from the auction. I contacted the seller and they say it runs very well! The seller tells us that the body is all original oak; I hope if someone restores it, it’s done sympathetically and all the wood that can be saved is preserved.

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As you can see, the body is still relatively solid, although obviously there would need to be some careful conservation work done. In my dreams, it starts up first try–if it does, I’d leave this one alone and preserve it as-is once I made sure it was safe to drive.

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Here’s where Mr. Postman spent his time. I’ll bet that steering wheel could tell some stories! The driving arrangement doesn’t look that comfortable, with other interior views revealing that there is no backrest cushion and doesn’t look like there ever was one.

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It sure looks like it would start right up, doesn’t it. Even the pipe bolted to the exhaust manifold looks new. I know I’d like this truck, and I don’t even like Model A’s that much! How about you?

Comments

  1. Avatar Van

    I’d love to use this for runs to the garden center or DIY store.
    Anybody know how much it will carry?
    With the brakes stop 1,000lbs of lumber or trees.

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  2. Avatar snerd

    could be a very early1930(?)I doubt it , but grill makes it ’28-’29 style

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  3. Avatar Woodie Man

    Admittedly I know nothing about model AA’s…that said this would be a wonderful restoration project. Normally I come down on the side of preservation and not (over) restoration, most “restored” vehicles look better than they ever came from the factory and thus unusable to me.. And perhaps as an historical artifact, the original condition of this truck militates for leaving it as it is…But…but…..but………keep me away from the sandpaper!

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    • Avatar z1rider

      Not an AA, just an A. The AA’s had the worm drive rear axle/diff. This one’s got the regular banjo of a standard Model A.

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  4. Avatar jeff6599

    Even the ebay ad calls it a ’29! Who decided to call it a 1930 model?

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    • Avatar Jamie Staff

      Hi, Jeff…not sure if that was my error or if the ad changed, but regardless I’ll correct the post. Thanks.

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  5. Avatar TBall

    What a great, neat little truck. I would love to be able to restore, but life has it’s limitations… Thanks for sharing. Hope it gets a good home.

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  6. Avatar Matt Tritt

    I hope it Does get restored; at least to the point where the wood stops deteriorating. Oak, while being very strong, is also prone to dry rot from exposure to fresh water. With bad to no finish, water will find it’s way into all the joints and find the endgrain before you know it.

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  7. Avatar MeepMeep

    Talk about a Time Machine…..very cool !

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  8. Avatar geomechs

    Definitely ’28/’29 vintage although I’ll slant more toward the ’29. Regardless, I still like it and wouldn’t mind at all if it ended up at my place…

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  9. Avatar z1rider

    I am puzzled by the device between the carb and intake manifold. No idea what that’s for. The intake manifold is either a special casting to accommodate that device or it was shortened for it.

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    • Avatar Bill McCoskey Member

      Likely it’s a governor to keep driving speeds down.

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  10. Avatar Larry

    Here is one I saw in Camden,Maine last year

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  11. Avatar Jim

    I’m not sure what it’s worth but it one cool find!

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  12. Avatar Dan

    Cool old truck. Hope it goes to a good home.

    We grew up with a ’30 Model A closed-cab pickup. Model As are easy to work on and enjoyable to drive; takes you back to a slower time.

    My dad’s friend restored a brown UPS Model A, also a rarity.

    Good luck to the seller

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  13. Avatar Michael Dawson

    I would like to see it reFURBISHED…in other words, cleaned and repaired to be safe and usable, but being careful to NOT remove the original patina. Anyone can make it look like new (or better) but it’s pretty darn charming in its ‘worn’ state.

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  14. Avatar Ed Willaims

    I remember that mail trucks like these were seen all over the Los Angeles area during WW2 when all new vehicle production had stopped and the Post Office had to do with these Model A’s for mail delivery service. Our postman in West L.A. delivered our mail in one and I saw it almost every day.

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  15. Avatar Todd

    I hope they leave the truck just as it is right now. I would have bought it, but I’m out of space. Darn!

    Like 0

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