FOUND! Original 1929 U.S. Mail Truck - Runs and drives!
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- Today, we are taking a close look at a very rare Ford Model A body style, the Mail Truck. We will take a look at some details, and then go for a drive and talk about what it's like to drive this ultra rare part of American history. Stay tuned past the end credits for a fun surprise. Making Model As cool again!
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My Grampa was a mail carrier in Pullman WA... He and his compatriots used wheelbarrows to handle the heavy sacks on his rural route #2... This was back in the 20s and early 30s...
This is the truck that inspired me and now I'm hooked. in January I found one. 1931 US mail truck number 11442. I put a deposit on it and picked it up last week. It was stored in the garage for the past 68 years! I have all the paperwork from the day it was sold from government surplus. It is in incredible original shape! The last owner got the motor going in 1999, I'm not sure whether to restore it or just restore it mechanically. I'm so excited about it I've been having trouble sleeping lately! LoL 😊 it appears the last owner has got all of the replacement parts that would be needed to do a restoration they are in the back of the truck. Paul can you direct me to the best support in restoring this vehicle?
Oh WOW!! Good work!! Any pictures or video to share?
How would I send you pictures?
Can you link to a page with pictures or a video?
My 31 has a bar with 4 or 5 hooks on that bar for hanging mail bags. There is one on either side on the inside of the back of the truck.
congrats
👍
Your joy over such anachronisms is truly infectious, thank you.,,,
I have mild autism. I obsess over the oddest anachronisms.
These would make a very cool furniture moving truck for an antique store
Haa!!
Yes Paul, my earliest recollection was Postman on Bicycles. and blowing a whistle. Cheers
That's so cool! Like Mayberry stuff.
@@ModelA Yes Paul, that was about 70 years ago
I now live in Klamath Falls OR and they still deliver mail from a bag, house to house here. Thanks for the video, that's a very nice truck. Have fun, Mike
A little bit of America still exists!
you need to get a model A fire truck next. I love that truck. It has a great paint job. Take good care of it.
A fire truck? Oh wow, talk about living out a childhood fantasy!! That would be sweet.
Gears sound like my old Harley's.
4:59 nahh the horn 💀💀💀💀
Right??!
With all that OD Green paint it looks more at home with the Army than with the Post Office. Very nice!
Trains carried the mail back in those days and the trucks picked up the mail at the train stations, besides delivering the mail to the carrier storage boxes along the mail routes. The carriers still deliver mail by foot here, but no longer push a mail cart like they once did. They just refill their bag from the mail van and move it along the street as they deliver mail.
I love the way the exhaust sounds at that 11:00 minute mark. A very distinct sound.
I could see Gandolf the Gray Coupe in the background. Tina did a great job polishing the paint out.
Great video ! Congratulations.
Thank you very much!
@@ModelA See you next year at the convention in Ruidoso NM.
Wow . I love that model a truck ..
Such a wonderful thing. Those bodies can't have been cheap to make with all those complex sliding doors and windows!
I presume that since they were purpose built government vehicles, cost was not a factor.
For a Model A aficionado like you, this cold be a find of a lifetime!
Very interesting. Only 400 built, that doesn’t sound like it was enough.
Nice close-up video of the Model A Mail Truck.. Was at a car show today and was talking to another Model A owner.. Subject of Mitchell overdrive came up.. We both had the same view that if we wanted to go 55MPH or more we would take our modern cars. Back roads at 45MPH or less is more enjoyable in the Model A!
Nice Truck Paul !
Thanks Richard!
Very cool. The Forney Museum in Denver has a 1931 version, with black paint ending in the same place on the hood.
Neat!
I love it. I have a 29 tudor.
Probably drives better than our modern day (but vintage) LLV mail trucks.
Another Paul Shinn exclusive! This was great for the simple reason I can finally watch you guys on a 55" TV.I know everyone can figure that ot but I'm lucky if I can turn my phone on.GREAT TO SEE ONA 55" THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO!
Awesome, Dean! Now you can see what is up my nose!
LOL that's exactly what I'm doing right now. Using my phone as a hotspot and watching your UA-cam video on my 55 inch TV. And then using my phone again to comment on the video.
@@ModelA Got Tweezers?!
Thank you for the close up view of this. I still cannot believe how perfect the paint is on the wooden sections. Again, thank you for bringing us along. ~ Chuck
Thanks Charles! Yep, it's pretty sweet
Hi Paul! That is a great looking Model A Mail Truck. I think it looks beautiful without trim or any amenities, just the way it is now is perfect. It sounds so neat to hear you shift through all the gears. Thanks for the viewing of such a wonderful old timeless treasure and for the ride along. I hope you and Model T have a great Sunday.
Thanks Dan!
Another GREAT video of a super rare A! You know these trucks probably saw a lot of service picking up mail from railroad depots and even air fields, as by 1929 Air Mail was a thing. Imagine pulling up in that next to a Ford Tri-Motor! Would be AWESOME!
Oh, I bet you're right! This thing surely saw some airfield action!
The Model A mail truck bodies were also called "100 cubic foot" bodies. The AA versions were called the "200 cubic foot" bodies. I found this information in the National Archives collection of the 4th Postmaster General who was responsible for acquiring vehicles for the Post Office.
Amazing mail truck! It is beautiful in it's own way. It takes special people to preserve this kind of history for us to enjoy. Thank you!
My 1930 pickup has an engine stamped PF534. Ive wondered if that could mean Postal Fleet?
A nice piece of History & Money!
Money? Not really. History? Absolutely!
Good day Paul! Hope all is well. Nice find. This seems like a Truck to get the job done, but not one to have a pleasure drive. Having to sit straight up and smelling those fumes all day. That could get to you pretty quick. But as they said, the mail must go through! No matter what :) Good find. Have a great weekend my friend and God bless! Hope the roof is working out nicely.
Great video. The closed captioning, however, indicates the truck was used to deliver "male bags." I'm hoping that's a spelling error on UA-cam's part...
Sorry about that. That's why I usually don't do the closed captioning on videos. Sometimes the spelling is worse
@@ModelA Gorgeous truck!
Beautiful truck. Though spartan on the inside I really like the lines and the roof construction is super.
That is sooo Cool, :) love this era of cars, just something special about them for me :PPPP love the videos
I always like seeing the mail truck videos you do, Paul. Thank you so much for the latest installment!
Thanks Matt!
What a beautiful truck...Thanks for sharing Paul....I would love to have a model A pickup but I am not mechanically inclined.
You don't need to be! Find a good club in your area and you're all set
fantastic vehicle!
You saw it first!
Love this mail truck. Another great video.
Thanks Chris!
Fascinating history presentation. Well done Sir!
Thanks!
👍Absolutely agree with your joy in driving UR Postal A.. Early step van design.😀 Love this Postal for all the reasons I own an all aluminum, riveted bodied, 10,00lb GVW, 1988 Grumman Kurbster step van dually. Driving with doors slid open is awesome. No carpet, no rubber mats... Fold up pass jump seat, ability to change coveralls while standing 100% upright in the cab, minimum gauge package..No needless fluff and tech. Perfect service vehicle.( 😤Don't suppose an anger management seminar is included in the purchase price if UR 'A' ? ) BTW.. Is the canvas roof coated with cellulose nitrate dope like a Sopwith Camel Biplane fuselage and wings? Thanks SO much for sharing the tour and drive!!!👏
Thats amazing paul. I agree i wouldnt fit great in that due to having a double glazed donut spare tire. Anyways that history on wheels. Your awesome at explaining the history of these As. Man i saw a hood humor model A. Just couldnt come up with the 75k price tag. Now that would be a great car to do a history lesson on as well. Probably good i dont own a functioning freezer good humor one eating all my stock popsicles. Lol. Thanks a million paul for the videos. Also to model T for her videos. Always look forward to watching them.
If you had a good humor ice cream truck, that would be awesome. Filling that with ice cream is way cooler than filling this with mail.
I like my steak medium rare, but that mail truck is very rare! I would be afraid to drive it! You are in a 'rare' position to enjoy it. Thanks for the tour and overview.
Thanks William!
Looks like, Keystone cops patty wagon.
Btw. Awesome video.
I couldn’t agree with you more about the weight of this truck. Stopping is well, gradual… I own number 871, but my parking brake is alongside the shifter.
871? That must be a 30 or 31
@@ModelA nope, it’s a 29 for sure.
But really, who knows with the number really was…
#10001 - 10400 were the 29's. Is yours an AA?
Love It............
I must say, this episode really delivered. I'll show myself out...try the veal!
No need to leave. You're always welcome here!
Oh wait... I just got it. Get outta here!! Hahaa
@@ModelA 🤣
My 29 tudor from june also still has the handbrake in front of the gearshift. I don't think it's just a 28 thing
Correct. It went a few months into 29.
The postal trucks i seen are model AA
Those are later ones
Beautiful! I wonder how a full load of mail affected the CG. Maybe it mitigted the top heaviness.
Not sure. I'm guessing it made things worse
I tell people that I am of greater omentum, so I guess a person must be of lesser omentum to fit in the driver's seat of a 1929 Ford Model A mail truck.
I think I like the black and green paint scheme better than the current white with blue and red text.
I do remember the walking mail carriers. Some had a shoulder style bag, and others used something like a wheeled golf bag. At the age of 8 my family moved to a rural housing development and in that area the postal service used the AMC built Jeep style vehicles with right hand drive. I had the opportunity to drive one of the AMCs. It drove like a tank.
That's what I remember also. You got to drive a mail Jeep??!!! Neat!
@@ModelA LOL. There was a small car dealership in Sacramento that was selling a bunch of old mail Jeeps, and I did a test drive. This was in the early 2000s I think. They were selling for between $2,500 and $3,500 depending on condition. It definitely gave me an appreciation for our mail carriers.
oh man that's a perty mail truck love the colors,never actually seen one in the model A style but I've only ever really seen what two model A's in person other than the one I own. too bad there's not many model A drivers around here I could talk to as I don't want to break mine trying to piece it back together.
Where are you located? I bet there's a club somewhere around you.
@@ModelA pretty much in the middle of no wares of north AR
That first gear position is weird. If your falling out of the truck making a fast right turn with the door open it may be easier to grab hold of something! Postage stamps were probably 2 cents or a nickel back then.
That is a tight fit.
If I get any fatter, I won't be able to drive it!
The '29 looks pretty much exactly like the '31. One difference is the tailpipe on the 31 it runs outside the vehicle at the back all the way to the top.
This was probably to prevent exhaust fumes from entering the rear windows.
Awesome Video Sir, Question? you bought a restored orginal mail truck correct, and was wondering is an unrestored original mail truck hard to find, thks again,
I have no idea. I presume super rare
Is the finish of the dash panel what's known as "Butler Finish" ?
It's the dull nickel finish.
Now that. I see you drive it your face looks like mine when i become a Father! 😂
Hahahaaa! Same look of joy and terror at the same time?
Kochany samochodzik❤️
Paul my mail person still walks from door to door.
A question in colder climates did they have a heator?
No heaters. They were hearty souls!
@@ModelA Paul Oh now I rember
j c whitney had a gas heator or some thing to burn up your car
My ‘28 Sport Coupe feels that tight in regards to the shifter. Does yours? Maybe it’s worse in the Mail Truck?
The mail truck is tighter for sure
Was the previous owner from Hemet California?
No. Colorado
Simply gorgeous and amazing, but "original"? I'm not quite ready to bite on that!
What would you call it?
@@ModelA I'd call it beautifully restored classic. That's not a knock on it in any way. My point is that the term "original" in the context of classic autos infers that it is in original condition and hasn't been changed or restored. The immaculate condition of this beauty makes it difficult to believe that the paint, tires, interior, etc. are just as they were nearly a century ago.
I have a 29 Model A that is "original" by your standards. Still has factory applied paint, interior, etc. Never been taken apart. However, some of the experts still say that car is no longer original because it has new tires, has has fluid changes, etc. I just don't know what to believe anymore, so I just do my own thing.
I think I can fit my five kids in one of those hahaha
Easily.
Paul throw out that junk fire extinguisher and put in one the A deserves. If build quality and dependability means anything to anyone reading this buying a 2 1/2lb extinguisher buy an A.B.C. Amerex, Badger or Sentry in that order is the way to go. They are pretty equal but the Sentry has a plastic nozzle that can break off easier. I spent my working life in the extinguisher industry, some other extinguishers are just ok and some are complete junk especially when it comes to the 2 1/2ers.
Oh, good to know! I'm on it. Thank you!
Do we know how long the postal service keep the Model A in service? And when they were sold to the public?
This one went to auction in the 1950's.
Is it an original Body or new wood
Mostly new wood using all the original hardware
👍👌👏
Paul do you know the significance of the number that was issued on each one of these mail trucks? Could they indicate what state the vehicle was used in?
No. It's the serial number
I’m confused. Is this a different vehicle than the mail truck you won the ribbon with? Can anyone here clarify? Thanks! ✌️😊
Same truck. Videos released out of sequence
@@ModelA Thanks Paul. She’s a beauty. (The truck and your wife.) ☺️❤️🇺🇸
A commet for model T.
did Paul have a seat belt on ?
What's a seat belt?
Not that it’s really the point but they still walk door to door most places
I wish they still did here
So Paul, because you've driven all of the model A's, how does driving this mail truck compare to say driving other model A trucks?
It is different. You can really tell how heavy it is.
@@ModelA OK, it feels heavy empty but can you imagine how it feels when carrying with a full load of mail sacks? I wouldn't make any sudden sharp turns.
Think you will ever add the overdrive...or would that take away the originality of the truck.....
Nah. I don't think it would pull the overdrive gearing. We would have to modify the motor for more HP. That would suck.
@@ModelA Understand
Why is the steering wheel black? Should it not be brown?
Nope, black is correct
Did you a AAA work out that the 29 Mail Truck is not a commercial vehicle?
They are still adamant. I got Hagerty's roadside plan now.
@@ModelA Knuckle heads.
@@frankeasterling3402 Indeed
yep no overdrive
Is the number on the truck the number of the truck or the zip code the truck served?
The serial number
2003marauder.. Zip codes didn't arrive until July 01, 1963.
Is it your truck, or your Dad's truck?
Yes
Just got a great idea for you model T & the kail truck... you all dress up and deliver presents at Christmas time. You as Santa model T as mrs. Claus. Deliver to freinds or to a childrens hospital that would be great . And i will make a Christmas donation to the hospital. So what ya think?????
You had me right up to the "dress up" part!
@@ModelA lol come on its for Sick children that can't be at home that night Santa has to show. I'll kick in to help..... I promise. Gave up Harleys to drive my 1930. So this will be my way to do toys for tots! I'd join but will be in Florida goining through my neighborhood .
Oh, you know I have a soft spot for kids, dangit.
@@ModelA those costumes will be nice and warm......just saying!
@@ModelA and then on with the annual drive or have 9 cars in front of the mail truck with antlers would be like Santa's Sled! Did you know Santa had only 8 reindeer until the 30's
I think that seat bottom is to fat