Mailster Mail Truck

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 Mailster, a three-wheeled vehicle, was the first large-scale mail vehicle purchase. The design was prone to tipping over and did not fare well in winter climates. It would be unlikely, therefore, to find them in widespread use in Vermont.

Mailster: Image courtesy of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum online exhibit