|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
05-15-2018, 10:12 AM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ
Posts: 6,841
|
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. |
05-15-2018, 10:54 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: So Cal
Posts: 8,809
|
Re: Mail truck question
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
05-15-2018, 02:16 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ
Posts: 6,841
|
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? |
05-15-2018, 02:28 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: So Cal
Posts: 8,809
|
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. Last edited by Bob C; 05-15-2018 at 02:37 PM. |
05-15-2018, 03:22 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ
Posts: 6,841
|
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? |
05-15-2018, 04:16 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SoCal
Posts: 877
|
Re: Mail truck question
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Five different body builders and General Motors Truck Co. was one of them. Last edited by denniskliesen; 05-15-2018 at 04:41 PM. |
05-15-2018, 04:56 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: FRESNO, CA
Posts: 12,560
|
Re: Mail truck question
Look for OOOLD STAMPS, in hidden cracks & crevices.
Bill Digger
__________________
"THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF" |
05-15-2018, 06:52 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Fayetteville, Georgia
Posts: 467
|
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.
|
05-16-2018, 06:46 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ
Posts: 6,841
|
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. |
05-17-2018, 11:32 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
|
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.
__________________
What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II |
05-17-2018, 12:38 PM | #11 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Kritter Krick, Flaw-duh
Posts: 1,165
|
Re: Mail truck question
Quote:
York-Hoover. There are some body drawings here: http://www.postalas.org/ModelAMTDrawings.pdf |
|
05-18-2018, 10:48 AM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Fayetteville, Georgia
Posts: 467
|
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.
|
05-18-2018, 07:18 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Shawnee, Ok
Posts: 3,471
|
Re: Mail truck question
If it sleeps more then four...its real
Also applies to any government vehicle
__________________
Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B |
05-19-2018, 12:12 AM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lakewood, CA
Posts: 1,347
|
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. |
05-20-2018, 08:15 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Australia/USA/EU/Soviet Russia
Posts: 1,105
|
Re: Mail truck question
Original trucks were fitted with spark plugs with Post Office markings; Firestone brand I believe. I know an old boy that has NOS for sale.
__________________
|
05-23-2018, 07:23 PM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,987
|
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.
|
05-23-2018, 08:27 PM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Northport, NY
Posts: 178
|
Re: Mail truck question
Ronn - did you get to see the mail truck? Any photos to post?
|
05-24-2018, 07:35 AM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ
Posts: 6,841
|
Re: Mail truck question
No I didnt Will
pre occupied with a hernia op tomorrow......... damn! |
05-24-2018, 07:58 PM | #19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Northport, NY
Posts: 178
|
Re: Mail truck question
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
|
05-25-2018, 07:50 PM | #20 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Australia/USA/EU/Soviet Russia
Posts: 1,105
|
Re: Mail truck question
Quote:
You're correct; I was referring to the replacement plugs, not to factory fitted plugs. When were these trucks taken out of service? 1950s?
__________________
|
|
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|