What do you think - Running Board Step Plates Yes/No

[billybronco1]

Seems most pictures of these old Model A's have the step plates mounted to the running boards. I think they look good and add a little enhancement. My car (1931 Coupe) does not have these step plates and I was thinking of adding them. It does have the Ford plate on the door sills inside - what do you think?

[Nabco]

Personally I've gone back and forth on this question, got my first A a couple months ago and thought that they step plates looked pretty cool.

After doing some research it appears to me that these were more popular back in the day on the 28's and 29's, I have a 30 DLX Coupe, so they were probably not original to my car year.

The biggest factor for me is this is a pretty permanent change to her, once you drill the holes in the running boards to mount them those holes are there forever. If you decide later you don't like them anymore at minumum you are ripping up the rubber, patching the holes and replying new rubber....a little to permanent for me.

That said my vote is no step plates.

[CarlG]

Mine came to me with the step plates already installed, so that's the way it's going to stay. I doubt that I would have installed them myself had they not been there. They do look nice and serve a purpose though.

[holdover]

my stock '29 coupe does not need them due to the rubber on the RB, My '29 pickup does not have them and no protection but the paint on the RB, which with a few coats of clear over it has stood up very good. No plans to add them

[31Abone]

No,they look bad as do white walls..keep car as it was off assy line.

[Mike]

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I do not care for them, my sedan came with step plates installed so they are still on there.

Mike

[Joe K]

Originally Posted by 31Abone

No,they look bad as do white walls..keep car as it was off assy line.

I tend to agree - but what of the trucks with the embossed diamond plate pattern - which is particularly prone to "wear through."

And for a truck the current version of step plates look "woosified."

Maybe something done in REAL diamond plate?

I was going to show a pix of diamond plate available at Home Depot - but I kept getting hung up in ceiling tiles.

Go figure - a non-skid surface you apply to your ceiling - to achieve an "industrial chic" look.

Like you walk on the ceiling?

Sorry. Steam Punk is a fad. Or envy of a previous age untempered by knowledge of what that age REALLY was.

Joe K

[Mitch//pa]

I am not a ginger bread type of guy so no

[Roadster62]

What does Rootleib get for a pair od reproduction runningboards? Do you enjoy distroying that investment? Bob

[Boston Bruce]

Originally Posted by 31abone

no,they look bad as do white walls..keep car as it was off assy line.

^^^^^ this

[holdover]

"I tend to agree - but what of the trucks with the embossed diamond plate pattern - which is particularly prone to "wear through."

as stated above I have no problems with the embossed RB on my '29 PU, I do not wear anything but sneakers or leather soled shoes and wear was very slight, I put some clear coat with hardner in it and they are standing up very well, maybe if I had a bunch of gangsters riding on them shooting Thompson sub-machine guns I would reconsider..

[C26Pinelake]

I think they enhance the car and they look good with Whitewalls which I also like. There should be lots for sale used because I am sure the people that don't like them will remove them from their cars and sell them very cheap or give them away. Obviously they won't leave something on the car that they don't like !
Wayne

[DougVieyra]

I too have recently been wrestling with this question.

In 1963, when I got my first car, a 1928 Chevrolet Sport Coupe, it had factory 'Chevrolet' step plates on it. Later on, when I got my '32 Pontiac Dlx. Sport Coupe, it too had factory (dealer ?) installed "Pontiac" step plates.
In 1964, when I got my 1928 Ford Phaeton, it too had a step plate (only one) on the Driver's entrance.

This was all LONG before there were any 'Parts Houses', and before there were any reproduction parts being made - such as the now ubiquitious "Ford" enblemed Step Plate (which never existed prior to 'repro.' manufacturing, about 1970 or so).

In those days (late '50's and 1960's) I really liked all the various and assorted accessories that the cars, including Ford, had on them - all a 'statement' that reflected both the car's owner, and the car's use. And I added several myself - any thing that was made and available in the 1920's and '30's.

One of the things I began collecting were original (1920-'34) Step Plates, both unique ones, and as complete sets. I still have that collection. It is from this collection of vintage 1920's step plates that I and wrestling with - do I insall or not .

One of the problems with having a low-milage car that was restored for fine point blue ribbon MAFCA/MARC judging, is that I had to stip off all of my original accessories. Now that forty years have passed since it was a "Show Car", and I have in those forty years, gotten used to the car without ANY accessories, including the car's original (1928) step plate - I lack the courage to "drill" a hole into a pristine running board.

But I want, and would like to have once again, my original 1928 Step plates back on the car. For me the question would be easily answered - YES ! - . . . . IF I did not have to drill holes in the running board. You can only be a 'virgin' once.

If I had reproduction running boards, I would not hesitate. I would put them on (as I have done on my late '31 Dlx Coupe).

- Doug Vieyra, Eureka, Calif - RAIN today - finally !

[Fred K-OR]

This is kind of like asking if you like black coffee. To each his own. The only thing I could add was already mentioned above. My huckster has painted RB. They tend to loose the paint after awhile. So maybe it would be something to consider under these conditions.

[mshmodela]

All a matter of choice; my Model A does not have them, if my A was more dressed up with whitewall tires etc. I might think it would match the look of my car... I like my car looking like a poor man's Model A... just my cup of tea....

[todd3131]

The only embellishment I like are white walls but even then not on all model a's, I think black wheeled cars look better without them and I have never been a fan of step plates even though I have installed a coupe sets on other peoples cars that want them.

Do what you want with it in the end your the only one that needs to be happy.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Chief always turned them around so you could use them to scrape MUD off your boots!
Minerva looked "sleek" without them. Vermin came with some old looking ones, if I ever take them off, the tiny holes won't bother me. They have a great "patina" & some of the blue is missing from the oval & I WON'T repaint it.
Bill W.

[billybronco1]

Well yes its like asking how you like your coffee "to each there own" I was more thinking about did the cars having these step plate back in the 1930's probably not for most. Might compare to putting nerf bars on your jeep today some do some don't. Seems the consensus is not to do it - I think I will save my money and go for the original look - thanks for your input.

[Mitch//pa]

dad and i like jet fuel

[Franchise_24]

Originally Posted by 31Abone

No,they look bad as do white walls..keep car as it was off assy line.

Yes they look great on a car, just like white walls.

[ronn]

dont likem............

[pooch]

I like the look of them and they ARE functional.

Several times I have stubbed my toe rather hard on the step riser part.

If that wasn't there, I would have scuffed the splash apron paint.

[1931 flamingo]

Back in the "day" my '32 had white running boards (no rubber) and I learned to step over them as I do now with the A. No need for the plates. JMO
Paul in CT

The rest of the car was Honduras Maroon with white roof insert.

[1wonton]

Step plates look silly as do WWW tires. Never could figure out why anyone would drill holes in their running board just to bolt on these absurd aluminum plates. Looking through old Warshawski catalogs there's a ton of total crap you could strap on your Ford. I guess it made the owner feel like he was driving an expensive car and impressing the passersby.

[eagle]

My fordor has them with the original dealer name on them. I like them. You can see them on my avatar...

[glenn in camino]

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NO. They disrupt the lines of the fenders. I took them off my tudor and sold them on Ebay.

[bikejunk]

nope

[SeaSlugs]

Personally i think it looks OK on some cars and odd on others. Personal prefrence to the owners so do what you want but another question arises:

Do you plan to drive your model A in the rain/snow? Do you plan to ever go on tours where rain could develop? I can see these plates as being a huge moisture trap and hold water under them for a long time but i may be wrong...

Also regarding the truck running boards wearing thin: Most AA running boards are thin where the driver stepped, alot probably from mud and rocks getting stuck to the bottom of their boots (people probably werent going to be going to the opera in an AA...you worked in the fields or the dirty industries of that era) and acting like sand paper. The ones ive seen on relatively complete trucks the pedals are equally worn down. There are tricks to save the running boards if this is found - flip them upside down and fill the bottom with something then file off what drops thru prime and paint. Wont be super accurate but will look 10X better than holes.

[MikeK]

It depends on who your audience is. If it is a bunch of MARC/ MAFCA/ MAFFI guys, the general consensus is no. If your forte is general shows and cruise nights, the masses like whitewalls, step plates, and bling.

I often thought about doing one side of a car blackwalls and no accessories, the other side all pimped out. Then people could stand on the side they like for the best view.

[denis4x4]

Originally Posted by MikeK

I often thought about doing one side of a car blackwalls and no accessories, the other side all pimped out. Then people could stand on the side they like for the best view.

The outside salesmen for Cal Custom Accessories had Corvairs that had different wheel and chrome trim on each side to show customers in the early sixties. To those of you that are offended by step plates, I will be happy to pay small unmarked bills for a pair of step plates with a dealer name..preferably a Colorado dealership. Send me a PM.

[al's28/33]

I put a set on my '33 pickup because it already had holes from previous owners farmer-fixes. Kind of dresses up the plain ol' pickup. But not on the "A" because it makes things appear too busy.

[nickair]

The step plates are stronger than rubber. In the old days it was common to see a round wear mark at the step spot.

I can step over the entire running board, so I don't need them. Although, my wife is small and needs the running board to enter the cabin. Therefore I see the steps as a good addition.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by 1wonton

Step plates look silly as do WWW tires. Never could figure out why anyone would drill holes in their running board just to bolt on these absurd aluminum plates. Looking through old Warshawski catalogs there's a ton of total crap you could strap on your Ford. I guess it made the owner feel like he was driving an expensive car and impressing the passersby.

Well, IF I had WHITEWALLS, I'd be DAMNED offended-----Show us your car!
Bill W.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

dad and i like jet fuel

Clear for takeoff------WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!!!!!!
Dad W.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Glue screw heads in the step plate holes, then use putty to apply the step plates. That way you can later remove them when you decide you don't really want them.

My first permanent antique car was (is) my 1929 Chevy Coach. Shortly after buying it I went to a swap meet and bought a pair of Chevy step plates. I waited a year, then finally did the dead. The minute I drilled the holes in these fine original running boards I knew I made a mistake.

[Brother Hesekiel]

A gentleman who is not afraid of wearing make up should also not be afraid of adding some bling to his ride, me thinks.

[caboose]

Our 31 roadster came with running board steps. They look fine/okay. Our 29 Phaeton does not have them, and will not in my lifetime. Having two on a side is too much for me.

[armchair67]

Its your car, if you like them, put em on. I would not worry what anyone else thinks, unless you are entering a judged show and seriously looking to win? I think plates with the original selling dealers name might be kind of cool, otherwise, I personally would not install them on my car. I am not a fan of doo dads all over my cars. I do not personally care for those, or the headlight eyelids, or fender mounted spare tires, etc. I think certain cars, such as the Model A, have nice, clean lines, and most of them were realistically an economy car so they would not likely have been loaded with options. But again, that is just an opinion, one coming from a guy who sold his 400bhp Cadillac to drive an eighty five year old car that can barely climb a driveway in second gear as his primary mode of transportation! You don't want my advice lol

[denis4x4]

Why is Tom Wesenberg's avatar on my post?

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by denis4x4

Why is Tom Wesenberg's avatar on my post?

I'm not seeing that.

[denis4x4]

Appears to fixed now

[Franchise_24]

Originally Posted by Brother Hesekiel

A gentleman who is not afraid of wearing make up should also not be afraid of adding some bling to his ride, me thinks.

You sir win the award for the most ignorant comment ever. Congratulations!

[TerryH]

Not a fan of having lots of accessories on a Model A...... includes step plates, stone guards, white walls, headlight visors. I think an unadorned Model A looks just right the way it is, but lots of folks disagree.....

[Lynn Wright]

If (?) I wanted to install the step plates on a '29 Coupe, where on the running board are they mounted, as measured from the front of the rubber. Can't seem to find any "standard" measurment.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Lynn Wright

If (?) I wanted to install the step plates on a '29 Coupe, where on the running board are they mounted, as measured from the front of the rubber. Can't seem to find any "standard" measurment.

Just step on the running board and climb into the car, and notice where your foot goes on the running board. Mount them where your foot goes.

If you are undecided, just use some kind of removable glue or two way tape to mount them.

I bought a pair for my 1929 Chevy Coach, and was undecided, so I waited a year, then finally drilled the mounting holes in nice original running boards. The second I drilled the last hole I knew I made a mistake.

[Mike V. Florida]

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As Tom has eluded, there is no "standard" measurement.

Get your foot dusty and without looking at the running board get in and out of the car a time or two. Then look at the foot prints.