Step Plates

[Forker]

From all my looking, there doesn't seem to be a prescribed location for step plates to be added to the running boards...or am I wrong on this?


In two door vehicles they seem to be centered in each door, whereas in 4 door vehicles things seem to vary more. I have observed that in some cases there is a step installed for all doors and in others for just the front door.


I have 4 step plates, yet installed, for my '30 Phaeton and I keep looking at them, moving them a little forward or back or in or out on the running boards, even removing two and thinking about one on each side?

I realize this is certainly not the problem of the day or even close , but I am curious what others have done or think looks best?

 

[bogiediver]

For my Roadster, after doing a search and finding not much, I posted a similar question...

I was told they were accessories with no specific placement.

It was suggested to me to get in and out of the car & watch where my foot placement was and use that as the guide for placement...

FWIW

 

[msmaron]

get in the car, look down...see where you foot is...that is where it goes! You wont find anything because they are not a ford installed item.

 

[Forker]

Thanks

I was under the impression that they were an accessory that could be ordered with the car, but you say they were an after market item. In either case, I've seen them on cars in vintage photos, like this photo of my dad's Tudor taken pre war. If what is in the photo is actually a step plate after all, as it appears to lack the depth of a normal step plate to me?

george

 

[barnstuf]

When the Model A was new many roads were unpaved and often muddy. The raised rear part of the step plate was a boot scraper so position the step plate away from the running board apron and out toward the outer edge trim strip. I am an old timer and that is where I saw them in my younger years.

 

[eagle]

My Fordor still has the original step plates installed by the dealer with the dealer's name on them. I could measure them for you but being a Fordor, it wouldn't be right for your Phaeton. You can see on my avatar approx where they are. Mine are installed almost back to the splash apron, so no boot scraper here.

 

[luckyal]

Obviously we are not talking a points car so put them where "you" think they look best. If not a dozen people will give you a dozen different thoughts on the matter !
Al

 

[Forker]

Barnstuf, makes sense, however either people had very small feet back in the day or I do not see enough room on the running boards to mount them where they could be very effectively used as a boot scrape? Not to mention the beating your paint job would get when attempting to scrape your shoes with so little room between the car and the edge of the scraper part. It's impossible to mount them and leave enough room to use them as a show scraper imho.

eagle, so I accepted the fact that if yours were mounted by the dealer as they were, and I couldn't see how they could be mounted to be used efficiently as a shoe scraper, I went ahead and mounted mine as pictured below.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.
george

 

[Mike V. Florida]

Obviously we are not talking a points car so put them where "you" think they look best. If not a dozen people will give you a dozen different thoughts on the matter !
Al

You're allowed period accessories on a "points" car. There is a limit on the number of them as I recall but they are allowed and will not affect the points if they are period and of fit and finish of the times.

 

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

When the Model A was new many roads were unpaved and often muddy. The raised rear part of the step plate was a boot scraper so position the step plate away from the running board apron and out toward the outer edge trim strip. I am an old timer and that is where I saw them in my younger years.

Barnstuff, That's exactly what Chief did! I said, "But Chief, the FORD is upside down"?-----"Yea, them DUMMIES cast it basakwards"! My plates came with the car & look very old & worn.
I saw a sedan with 4 old license plates with skinny chrome frames as step plates!
When I walk up to Vermin, I CAN'T lift my foot up on it, I now have swivel bar stool seats & can jis' back up & sit, and swivel in! Gettin' out is REAL EASY! Bill W.

 

[pooch]

I stepped in and out a few times and saw exactly where I placed my foot and put the plates there.