1940 wheel pin stripe color

What year were pinstripes available? Did all cars get stripes? What wheel colors were available in '40? How about '41-'48? I have seen a dark red or maroon color I like but don't have a color.
 
In the '60's I bought my first Flathead, it was an original '48 TuDor Sedan. I think the color was called “Tucson Tan” and it had orange pin striping on the wheels.
 
firerod said:
What year were pinstripes available? Did all cars get stripes? What wheel colors were available in '40? How about '41-'48? I have seen a dark red or maroon color I like but don't have a color.
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In 1940 the wheels were black on the Ford V8 models (aka: standard) and as an option, body color to match.
The deluxe models all had matching (to body color) wheels.
 
Does anyone know if they used Enamel or Lacquer on the wheels in '40? Was it gloss or semi-gloss? Thanks.
 
Back in 1987 I went to Western National Meet in Bend ,Oregon. A guy showed up with an extremely original 40 coupe that was Cloudmist Gray. There was no Rouge class in those days so he was entered in concourse. This car still had the original spare tire. There were two silver pinstripe on the wheel. On the other four wheels you could see faint evidence of the same stripes. There was a lengthy discussion between a couple of 40 experts regarding the wheel striping. When the discussion finished they agreed that the striping was original. Was it added by the dealer or put on at the assembly plant? Who knows, but it was definitely original.
 
TJ said:
Back in 1987 I went to Western National Meet in Bend ,Oregon. A guy showed up with an extremely original 40 coupe that was Cloudmist Gray. There was no Rouge class in those days so he was entered in concourse. This car still had the original spare tire. There were two silver pinstripe on the wheel. On the other four wheels you could see faint evidence of the same stripes. There was a lengthy discussion between a couple of 40 experts regarding the wheel striping. When the discussion finished they agreed that the striping was original. Was it added by the dealer or put on at the assembly plant? Who knows, but it was definitely original.
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"Definitely original"? To when, 1942? 1946? 1950? Many years could have and probably did pass when wheels were cheap and plentiful and the owner (then) needing a new (used?) set of tires could have simply purchased a set out of a salvage yard, wheels and tires complete. this was very common during the war years.
The so called experts got it wrong in that case. #1) the proof that it was authentic lays with the owner. If he not able to provide such proof and common knowledge suggests it is not authentic, then a deduction is counted.
Things done at the dealer outside of what Ford Motor Co. authorized is also considered incorrect.
2) Ford did NOT stripe wheels in 1940. Period. To think they would do one car here and perhaps another there... well, logistically, not feasible, Folks need to recall these were very quickly built production line vehicles.

I run in to numerous so called "preserved" cars. The typical owner of these cars (from my experience) seems to either truly believe their vehicle was never altered during its lifetime or they "choose" to beleive it.
 
I have a pair of 16" x 4" 1940 wheels (stamped mfg date) with original black paint and pin strips in a red-orange color. I'm 99% sure these are original as I took off the inner trim ring and couldn't believe my eyes to see the condition of the paint and pinstrip underneath. The wheels had been sitting for probably 30-40 years in a barn with other Ford parts on the back of a Model T truck. I'll try to post some pictures here this weekend of these.
 
svm99: That still leaves 30 or so years when the wheels could have been striped.................. JMO Also could have been done at the dealer.
Paul in CT
 
Many dealers had their own paint booth complete with a wheel rack. Those that farmed out body/paint would get a commission on the job. Stripes having been common in other years, an offer to stripe the wheels could seal the deal.

Bottom line is this: Without documentation from Ford, which there is none, an owner must provide that documentation on the Concourse to avoid a point deduction. At this point, there has been no such documentation presented, possibly because such a request may well have been word of mouth with nothing on the invoice to be seen by Ford Motors. Remember, dealers were running scared not wishing to go against Ford policy.
 
Not that it makes any difference but, I'm of the mind set that the bottom line, when the cars were new, and now, should lean toward the owners’ preference. Let's face it, Ford along with other auto manufactures (intentionally or otherwise), spawned the automotive after-market accessories business. From the beginning, owners have personalized their vehicles through both authorized dealer accessories and/or after-market accessories. For the EFV8 Club (or any other organization dedicated to automotive preservation), to deduct points for the use of "correct vintage" automotive "add ons", is to deny recognition to a significant part of our automotive heritage. Perhaps these clubs and organizations should add a category for after-market add-ons... They could call it "The Pep Boys Plus"...:) Just a thought;)
 
Vic, that category has existed all along. It's called the Touring Class. This is the class intended for guys like you who enjoy driving the car more than showing the car. As the name implies, cars in this class are genuinely road worthy, whereas point judged cars may be less so.
 
ford38v8 said:
Vic, that category has existed all along. It's called the Touring Class. This is the class intended for guys like you who enjoy driving the car more than showing the car. As the name implies, cars in this class are genuinely road worthy, whereas point judged cars may be less so.
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Huh? Concourse cars less road worthy than touring class cars?
 
Alan, I know all about the Touring Class, in fact, I hold three Touring Class awards from my time in the EFV8 Club. A second place ('89 Eastern Meet, first one I attended) and first place ('90 Eastern Meet), both for my '53 Crestline Sunliner, also a first place award ('97 Eastern Meet) for my '47 Ford Convertible. And yes, I drove the cars to and from each event. To my original point, I don't think any judging should deduct points for “era appropriate” accessories, (Ford approved or otherwise), any more then I think Concourse cars should suffer point deductions because they may not be as "road worthy" as "driven" vehicles of the same vintage. I have to agree with Kube’s position relative to your post, as I would think; “road worthiness” would be paramount criteria when judging automobiles, as they were never intended to be inanimate objects.
 
Mike and Vic, I'm sure you've both heard the Navy term "Shakedown cruise".
How many trailer queens have had the benefit of the open road as a proving ground?
Anyone who claims a zero mileage restoration is roadworthy is a car salesman.
 
Alan, I understand what you are saying, and I appreciate it however, in the context of judging, wouldn't you agree that a car should be judged on its primary purpose... to be driven...? I think that would be more of an indicator of a restoration (restored to original drivability) instead of deducting points for an accessory, (that may or may not have improved original drivability), like exterior rear view mirrors or road lamps or reflectors...etc., etc. Fact is, some accessories were improvements over factory equipment and should be recognized as such. I don't know why anyone would go to the trouble and expense of restoring an automobile from a purely aesthetic standpoint while not (at the same time) restoring it mechanically to the same standard. Perhapse "Trailer Queens" should have their own class as well and be excluded from Concors judging. Just a thought.;)
 
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