MTFCA Forum

I have a question on running board step plates my Model T Coupe has had a pair on it at one time the hole spacing is 10 1/2 in across I have a couple pair of Original Ford ones they only measure 7 and 3/4 does anybody have a clue of what kind of Step plates may have been on this at one time that would have measured 10 and 1/2 in acrost

As far as I know, there were no step plates from Ford. Only aftermarket ones, which came in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Yup. And I would almost bet (I never really bet) that more step plates have been made and sold from the 1950s to the present day than were made and sold when Ford was producing the model T. I very rarely see them on era photographs. I realized one day as I was looking at photos of auto parts store counters that I think I have seen more step plates displayed in the store's photos than I have seen on era cars.

I already knew this I was just hoping that maybe somebody might have seen a set that had the 10 and a half inch bolt pattern looking for something that I can put on without drilling holes in the old original paint running boards

-Charles-
I've encountered the exact same thing on the '25 coupe. There are no step plates made that I've found to fit those same holes. Three possible solutions? Ignore the holes; weld up the holes to conform to the plates you have; make new plates to fit existing holes. The last one is my plan.
Research on this leads me to believe those holes may have been used to attach a fiber-mat protection for the running board. Perhaps we have an expert among us who may know more?

This may be what you are looking for.

Thanks for the info as far as welding holes and re-drilling never going to happen the running board still have original paint I'm not into new shiny paint on my Model T I can live with a holes just thought if I could find a step plate that would fit I would use them

I put a tool box on my original unmolested running board, but instead of drilling four holes, I only drilled two

If someone paid me $100, I wouldn't drill any holes in my running boards after all the work I put into them!

I don't drill any holes in my running boards.
I make brackets (clamps) for mounting accessories.

it was a tool box.

Originals are out there, but kinda scarce. These have 8 1/2 “ wide mounting screws. I love them but they are glued on in case the next owner isn’t into fads. It’s my belief that owners back then really enjoyed dressing their cars up. If not, thousands of accessories would not have been manufactured and successfully sold.

My Dec. 1921 touring I have had since the 1970s is all original and has holes in both running boards that look as if there were step plates at one time.
Thankfully they are not on the car as I find that Ts with shiny step plates draw my eye to the plates and not to the overall look of the car. I love unadorned and original cars.