Bob Drake Running Boards: 40 Ford

M

MrPhat40

Member
Dear Ford Barn'rs,
Have any of you 1940 Ford fans had experience with the fitment and quality of the Drake running boards?
I have an opportunity to trade out my old and well worn boards for a new set of Drake's boards.
Do they fit well, any issues mounting them? My existing set up has not been modified in any way.
Thanks.
MrPhat40
 
MrPhat40 said:
Dear Ford Barn'rs,
Have any of you 1940 Ford fans had experience with the fitment and quality of the Drake running boards?
I have an opportunity to trade out my old and well worn boards for a new set of Drake's boards.
Do they fit well, any issues mounting them? My existing set up has not been modified in any way.
Thanks.
MrPhat40
Click to expand...

They fit okay. And, they look okay. I wouldn't hesitate to install them on a driver quality vehicle. No way would I install them on a concourse vehicle.

For what it is worth:
The local V8 Club did a side by side comparison to an authentic pair recovered by Acuff. The authentic boards are definitely heavier.
Acuff's covering appears to be of better quality than that of the Chinese counter part.
Also, Drakes boards are absent the holes in the braces - beneath the boards. Plus, he has his name quite prominently stamped in them

If none of the above matters to you, then most likely you'll be satisfied with the Chinese part.
 
I've put them on two cars and they fit well and I think they look great. On the bottom they are not the same as original boards as the bracing is different(no holes), but I don't go around looking at the bottom anyway. If the top looks good I'm happy. I also installed a set of Drake's '37 boards and they also fit well and looked great.
 
I bought Bob Drake boards and covers over 25 years ago for my '40 and they look and fit very well. All mounting holes were drilled and Bob's name is not stamped in them. Things must have changed over the years.
 
From my experience, Vintique looks good but don't fit very well. That's most of the parts I've used that they've made.
 
Over ten years ago I sent my '39's running boards up to Mr. Acuff in Georgia, to have them restored. He told me that the boards I removed were not OEM but were the South American made J.C. Whitney style boards. He suggested that I get a set of uncovered running boards from Bob Drake. I did just that, Drake sent the boards to Mr. Acuff, he covered them, and they have been on the car for all this time, and still look as good as the day I got them from Mr. Acuff.
 
Ken/Alabama said:
When he done my Zephyr running boards a few years ago he told me he was going to retire. Don't know if anyone picked it up or not.
Click to expand...

I had spoken with Mr. Acuff a number of years ago and he told his son was interested in taking over the business. However, he also told me he was attempting to discourage his son from doing so.
 
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