place stepplate

[Teun]

Hi, i would like to mount stepplates on my runningbords. Is there a place where they belong or just what i like?

[eagle]

What model car do you have? My step plates have been on my car since it came from the dealership so I can send you a pic if you like? I have a '29 Briggs Fordor. I've seen them all over the place so don't think it was too precision??? Someone else here can tell you more I'm sure. You can see them on my avatar...

[rosenkranswa]

They were an aftermarket, often dealer supplied accessory. Get in and out of your car and note where your foot falls on the running board, that's where to put the plate.

[luckyal]

My mechanic says you step on talcom or baby powder and then get into the car. Wherever your footprint is on the running board, you put the step plate there. Not very scientific but logical. Remember he is 86 years old.
Al

[Forker]

This has been a popular question and I recently asked it myself...there are a number of threads on the subject if you'd like to do a search. The most common and also logical answer is to get in and out of your vehicle and note where you step on your running board. It was suggested they were intended to function as a boot scraper to keep mud etc. out of the cab, but imo, there is no practical way to install them to serve this purpose. No matter where you placed them on the limited space available on your running board, you'd beat up your vehicle trying to scrape a shoe on that curved edge. I think they are mainly to keep the running board from showing wear and possibly to also keep passengers from kicking the painted surface of the vehicle when boarding? In any case, I do think they dress up the car and are a nice period addition. Here's where I ended up putting them on my '30 Phaeton:

[Teun]

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Sorry i have a 29 roadster.

[Charles Coe]

I agree with Forker on the boot scraper aspect. I think that the raised part was intended to help keep feet from hitting the splash aprons and messing up the paint rather than for use as a boot scaper.

[MikeK]

After you determine where you want them look underneath to see exactly where you will be drilling the holes. You may want to avoid the edges of brackets, etc.

If I could re-locate mine I would move them from the running boards to a swap-meet table.

[Forker]

I definitely agree with Mike's first point, be sure to check under your running boards to see where each screw will come through before drilling the first hole.

Mike, I definitely like the step plates, but I'm curious why you do not?
george

[Tom Wesenberg]

I agree with Mike. In the 70's I bought a pair for my 29 Chevy Coach and didn't install them for a few years. I was torn about drilling holes into good original running boards. One day I finally mounted them and as soon as the job was done, I knew I made a mistake and should have sold them instead.

They aren't so bad, but I'd rather keep the car as it was originally sold.

[Forker]

Fair enough, to each his own.

I recently received a copy of a photo of my dad's A taken pre-war (sometime in the 30's) and noticed it also had step plates on it, which was gopod enough for me since I bought my A because of how he spoke of his years ago.

[1931 flamingo]

When my 32 coupe had the white painted running boards back in 62 I learned how to "step" over the r/boards, still do.
Paul in CT

[ScottNW/Ohio]

I 'step over' as well, but then, I'm 6' 2" and it's easy for me to hit the ground.
I just hate to scuff up the boards, and don't care for the look of the plates

[V4F]

i never use my running boards ! step over .

[Charles Coe]

I have four for my town sedan but, like Tom, I'm having second thoughts about drilling holes in my original running boards. Also these days it seems like everyone wants to put every accessory possible on an A and I tend to like them more like Henry built them. I'm probably going to take the stone guard off the A I inherited from my dad for this reason.

[Forker]

Originally Posted by Charles Coe

I have four for my town sedan but, like Tom, I'm having second thoughts about drilling holes in my original running boards. Also these days it seems like everyone wants to put every accessory possible on an A and I tend to like them more like Henry built them. I'm probably going to take the stone guard off the A I inherited from my dad for this reason.

Charles et al
I've been curious about the benefits of a stone guard, is there enough of a concern/issue to warrant having one or do you feel it is more decorative than functional?
george

[Charles Coe]

I'm sure a stone guard could prevent damage to the radiator if needed but I drove a model A for years without one and never had a problem. It's probably good insurance but I think it takes away from the classic look of the model A radiator shell.

[Bob-A]

I've also got a '29 Chevy coach like Tom. However, I like the step plates that I mounted on it. I could go into a detailed description of why and how, but I don't think this is the proper board for that. I also have a set of original plates from the 20s/30s that I am going to mount on my '29 "A" roadster. The plates are notched for the outer running board trim and extend down the side of the trim with a raised rib on the top of them to scrape your shoes on before entering the car and/or stepping on the plate. The back of the plates have raised shields to protect the splash aprons and use replaceable rubber inserts for where you step. The rubber inserts are long gone, but the aluminum frames all polished up, with new rubber inserts, will look like the "cat's pajamas!"

I like putting accessories on my cars. Original ones if they are in good condition, restorable and most important of all: afforable.

Bob-A