The Ford Barn

Jay in Mass · 04-16-2023, 03:34 PM

What is the correct name for the painted panel that is connect to the inner part of the running board ? Is is a toe board? This would be for any Model A car. I know that 32 Fords do not have this panel.
Thanks in advance. Sorry to ask a stupid question

mcgarrett · 04-16-2023, 03:49 PM

Not a stupid question...it's called a splash apron. Don't hesitate to ask questions - this is what the Barn is all about!

nkaminar · 04-16-2023, 05:16 PM

It is called a splash apron because originally, in the 1910's, this piece was a piece of leather, a real apron.

Synchro909 · 04-16-2023, 06:10 PM

The answer to that quest depends on who you ask, IMO. I've heard them referred to as a splash apron (as above), a valence, splash valence, running board valence and others. Yet another example of different terminology based on location?

Jay in Mass · 04-16-2023, 07:56 PM

Mcgarrett, Nkaminar and Synchro909
I want thank all of for answering that Model A question. That makes a lot of sence. I had it completely wrong.
Jay in Mass.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 04-17-2023, 11:01 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay in Mass

What is the correct name for the painted panel that is connect to the inner part of the running board ? Is is a toe board? This would be for any Model A car. I know that 32 Fords do not have this panel.
Thanks in advance. Sorry to ask a stupid question

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay in Mass

Mcgarrett, Nkaminar and Synchro909
I want thank all of for answering that Model A question. That makes a lot of sence. I had it completely wrong.
Jay in Mass.

Ummm Jay, don't be too hard on yourself. We all (-me included) get it wrong sometimes, ...and I'm pretty sure these guys' answers above have it completely wrong too.

The correct -or at least the proper name for that panel would come from Ford's nomenclature which is/was the 'Running Board Shield'. The name of this item can be found in many areas of Ford produced media such as the PPL books and on the prints under A-16535-* and A-16536-* part numbers.

FWIW, the panel directly below the A-8200-* Radiator Shell is correctly named the 'Front Splash Shield' (A-16527-*). Unless I have missed it all these years, I have never known of Ford to call one of his components a "Splash Apron". Even my Model-T PPL books name those items as Running Board Shield and Radiator Apron Shield. I hope this helps...

Jay in Mass · 04-22-2023, 06:20 AM

Brent
Thank you very much for that clarification of the splash apron and the running boardshield.
Jay in Mass.

Big hammer · 04-22-2023, 07:45 AM

Just what are these panels shielding????? To keep water and mud from splashing on the running boards! Which we have forgotten because are A’s don’t see muddy potholes roads today. My grandpa always used model A ‘s to teach in country one room schools, the A’s would get through the mud !

rotorwrench · 04-23-2023, 12:43 PM

The apron term was used by other manufacturers of the era and caught on for use due to that. You find terms like apron and valance used for similar purposes in the industry. The skirt term was used on rear fender opening covers but not all manufacturers called them skirts. It's all about familiar terms for stuff like this. If a person uses a term like splash apron when referring to a model A, most of us will know what they are referring to even though it's not the term Ford used.

Ford contoured the outside of the frame rails in 1932 to simplify the mounting of the fenders and running boards. This eliminated the need for a shield and the bracing for the running board. Even the term running board can be questioned but most folks don't.

Bob Bidonde · 04-26-2023, 10:06 AM

In the Ford Parts Price List it is called a Running Board Shield and has part numbers in the range of A-16532-R - A-16539-B.

'

04-16-2023, 03:34 PM	#1
Jay in Mass Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mass. Posts: 379	Model A question What is the correct name for the painted panel that is connect to the inner part of the running board ? Is is a toe board? This would be for any Model A car. I know that 32 Fords do not have this panel. Thanks in advance. Sorry to ask a stupid question

04-16-2023, 03:49 PM	#2
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 949	Re: Model A question Not a stupid question...it's called a splash apron. Don't hesitate to ask questions - this is what the Barn is all about!

04-16-2023, 05:16 PM	#3
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,900	Re: Model A question It is called a splash apron because originally, in the 1910's, this piece was a piece of leather, a real apron. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

04-16-2023, 06:10 PM	#4
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Model A question The answer to that quest depends on who you ask, IMO. I've heard them referred to as a splash apron (as above), a valence, splash valence, running board valence and others. Yet another example of different terminology based on location? __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

04-16-2023, 07:56 PM	#5
Jay in Mass Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mass. Posts: 379	Re: Model A question Mcgarrett, Nkaminar and Synchro909 I want thank all of for answering that Model A question. That makes a lot of sence. I had it completely wrong. Jay in Mass.

04-22-2023, 06:20 AM	#7
Jay in Mass Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mass. Posts: 379	Re: Model A question Brent Thank you very much for that clarification of the splash apron and the running boardshield. Jay in Mass.

04-22-2023, 07:45 AM	#8
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,131	Re: Model A question Just what are these panels shielding????? To keep water and mud from splashing on the running boards! Which we have forgotten because are A’s don’t see muddy potholes roads today. My grandpa always used model A ‘s to teach in country one room schools, the A’s would get through the mud ! __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

04-23-2023, 12:43 PM	#9
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: Model A question The apron term was used by other manufacturers of the era and caught on for use due to that. You find terms like apron and valance used for similar purposes in the industry. The skirt term was used on rear fender opening covers but not all manufacturers called them skirts. It's all about familiar terms for stuff like this. If a person uses a term like splash apron when referring to a model A, most of us will know what they are referring to even though it's not the term Ford used. Ford contoured the outside of the frame rails in 1932 to simplify the mounting of the fenders and running boards. This eliminated the need for a shield and the bracing for the running board. Even the term running board can be questioned but most folks don't. Last edited by rotorwrench; 04-23-2023 at 12:50 PM.

04-26-2023, 10:06 AM	#10
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,472	Re: Model A question In the Ford Parts Price List it is called a Running Board Shield and has part numbers in the range of A-16532-R - A-16539-B. ' __________________ Bob Bidonde