Jeeps

In 1945, the Post Office Department was finally able to purchase new vehicles. The focus was on increased speed and reliability, as the post-war years saw an increase in mail volume and growing suburban sprawl. In 1954, lightweight, maneuverable vehicles were tested. Three types passed the tests of the Post Office Department: the Sit or Stand Van, the Mailster, and the Jeep. The Willys Jeep proved to be a durable and reliable vehicle. The first Willys Jeep rolled off the assembly line in 1953 as the first right-hand driven vehicle. Note the change in style between the jeep in the large image and that of the thumbnail. The curves on the frame of the jeep in the larger image reflect the automobile styles of the 1950s and early 1960s. The more angular example in the thumbnail is a later design, likely the late 1960s or later.

Mail Jeep: Image courtesy of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum online exhibit