Modern pickup trucks come packed with advanced suspension systems, electronic driving aids, and specialized off-road equipment. However, a nearly century-old Ford has just demonstrated that tackling uneven terrain doesn’t always require the latest technology.
At the 2026 Oklahoma State Fair, Ram set up an obstacle course to showcase the capabilities of its modern pickups. The demonstration took an unexpected turn when a 1928 Ford Model A sedan was allowed to tackle the same obstacles.
Footage shared on YouTube by Davis Auto Ranch shows the vintage Ford making its way across the course without any obvious difficulty. Despite its age and modest mechanical specifications, the classic sedan handles the uneven ground surprisingly well.
The Model A appears to be largely stock, rather than a modified off-road build wearing vintage bodywork, making its performance all the more impressive.
An Old Ford Shows Off Its Suspension
The short course features several raised dirt obstacles designed to demonstrate suspension articulation and ground clearance. As the Model A crosses them, its suspension flexes noticeably while the narrow tires maintain contact with the ground.
There are no sophisticated traction-control systems or selectable driving modes involved. The Ford simply crawls over the obstacles using mechanical hardware developed nearly 100 years ago.
Built When Smooth Roads Were A Luxury
The Model A’s performance makes sense when considering the conditions it was designed to handle. When Ford introduced the car in 1927, many American roads were still unpaved, and everyday driving frequently involved rough surfaces.
Its relatively generous ground clearance, narrow tires, and simple suspension helped it cope with those conditions. Although this example is a sedan, Ford also produced commercial vehicles based on the Model A platform.
Not Exactly A Tough Off-Road Challenge
To be fair, Ram’s temporary demonstration course wasn’t intended to test the limits of modern four-wheel-drive trucks. Its relatively gentle obstacles provide an accessible way for visitors to experience suspension movement and uneven terrain.
A modern Ram would have substantial advantages over the Model A on demanding trails, particularly where traction, power, and advanced off-road technology become important. The video doesn’t establish that the vintage Ford could match a modern pickup in genuinely difficult conditions.
Nevertheless, watching a 98-year-old sedan navigate a course designed for contemporary trucks is undeniably entertaining. It also serves as a reminder that early automobiles were built to handle roads far rougher than the smooth pavement most drivers encounter today.