Photos from offroadaction.ca

Before the Jeep and after the horse, the United States Post Office employed the Fords to delivery the mail. Thanks to efficiency of the Model A, neither snow, nor rain, nor gloom of night shall stray these couriers from their appointed rounds. Yes, a Ford Model A (and previously the Model T) was responsible for making the rounds with letters and packages in days when the streets were often unpaved.

With a few modifications, such as larger wheels and tires, these workhorses were used across the country to delivery letters on muddy, snowy roads in rural areas. These offroad Model A’s look a bit strange when equipped with tractor tires, but they were efficient. Perhaps some may recall the optional skis for the front of the early Fords, but these were not practical in all situations. If the road was completely covered in snow and there were no ruts, then the skis were suited for winter driving, but that was not the case in rural regions.

In rural areas, the roads were often unpaved, rutted, and generally not suited for delicate devices such as car skis. This frustrated mail carriers and they went in search for a better solution, tractor tires. These giant tires used on farm equipment could be adapted for the Model A thanks to different wheels. Using the tractor wheels and tires along with the addition of fender flares, the Model A or “Stiltmobile” could navigate rough terrain without fear. Thanks to these simple modifications the mail was delivered to rural regions despite the road conditions.