Step Plates

Post by **Original Smith** » Sat Mar 12, 2022 12:04 pm

I don't understand why people install step plates. I have spent hours restoring original running boards to make them like new, including welding up holes that former owners have drilled for step plates and tool boxes. Nothing looks worse to me than a restored car with brass step plates! First of all they never made them during the time our cars were new. To me they are a major distraction, and certainly not authentic. To each his own!

Dropacent · Post by **Dropacent** » Sat Mar 12, 2022 12:20 pm

Larry, IMHO you are incorrect.They were offered by many concerns as an era accessory item in many styles. Haven’t you been following Tom’s incredible photos? Original T owners lavished their lizzies with accessories. I was faced with the same problem, those shiny new ford script step plates were installed on one of my vehicles. My solution was to find a matched set of 4 originals to replace them. I like period accessories, AND I love the challenge of finding uncommon things. Probably a wash as to filling up a bunch of mounting holes, and I love the result. AND, if you like step plates, they can be easily installed without drilling ANY holes. %100 reversible if you move the auto to someone who doesn’t want them.
The world is a big place. An old auto without accessories looks naked AND boring to me. Obviously , you feel the opposite.

Norman Kling · Post by **Norman Kling** » Sat Mar 12, 2022 12:40 pm

I have one with them and two without them. They were on the car when I bought it. I don't see a reason for one on the drivers side of a roadster unless a late model with the door there, however, it matches if it is on both sides. The good thing about them is that if the persons entering or exiting the car use them, they won't scratch the paint or wear out the design imprinted into the running boards.
I'm glad you added to your post, "to each his own" That is exactly right. Each one who owns a T can use it or do to it as he/she wants. I prefer to keep the drive train and basic looks of the car like a Model T, however, am not so fussy that every part be original to that year. When I was learning to drive in the early 1950's one could go to any Pep Boys, or Western Auto and buy parts for a Model T. Some even had "rebuilt" engines. Some accessories were new at that time but were made to fit Model T's and I'm sure that not all the engines sold were original blocks manufactured the month the car was first built. No problem to me. However I draw the line at such modern things as electronic ignition systems. In fact I don't even like the wire spoke 26-27 wheels used on earlier cars.
Norm

John Heaman · Post by **John Heaman** » Sat Mar 12, 2022 1:06 pm

I have seen this pair listed for sometime on a website called, 2040 Parts.

Would they be vintage step plates?

Dropacent · Post by **Dropacent** » Sat Mar 12, 2022 1:56 pm

Only speaking from my experience, I’ve not seen era step plates with any ford markings, I’ve not seen it all, but getting pretty close. I’d guess maybe 50 +- years old and getting a nice patina now, so probably vintage, just not model T vintage. You’d break the bank getting them cast now, so hope someone enjoys them. Just don’t drill a running board to enjoy them. We don’t want to upset Larry !

Post by **jiminbartow** » Sat Mar 12, 2022 2:04 pm

I think a pair of nice Ford Script step plates with a blue background, looks alot better than a big area of blistered paint in the step area of an otherwise nice running board caused by dirt and sand ground into the step area of the running board by a careless passenger wearing hard soled shoes. That rust bloom will eventually develop into full blown rust that will leave deep rust pits in the running board from blooming rust. Whether original or not, very unsightly, but you are right…to each his own. Jim Patrick

Installed in 1972, mine are 50 years old.

Post by **tdump** » Sat Mar 12, 2022 2:14 pm

I think they look good on a car. I use them to cover defects like pits and also to detract from defects as my T's are NOT show trucks.I am assuming you don't bolt a tool box on the running board either? Yep,I put them on my T's for the same reason as step plates.to hide defects.

23ford · Post by **23ford** » Sat Mar 12, 2022 2:15 pm

Try getting in your car with a heavy drizzle and your foot slipping on the running board and you in the mud.

Post by **jiminbartow** » Sat Mar 12, 2022 2:23 pm

It looks like the top of those brass step plates have been cut short and new holes drilled, to fit a more narrow set of running boards. Jim Patrick

Les Schubert · Post by **Les Schubert** » Sat Mar 12, 2022 3:03 pm

They are listed and displayed in the Ford Canada parts/accessory literature. Admittedly the ones I have seen are in the 20’s and aluminum frame with Ford script rubber insert.

Dropacent · Post by **Dropacent** » Sat Mar 12, 2022 3:23 pm

I had forgotten about that Les ! I’ll take a picture and add here. I believe you are right, Jim.

Dropacent · Post by **Dropacent** » Sat Mar 12, 2022 3:46 pm

Thanks Les, Seems like every time Smith wakes up hating step plates, I end up posting this. Trouble is, I’m starting to forget. Missing the cover, but think it’s 1926 FoMoCo printing. Lots of aftermarket step plates long before this, but here is the one with the Ford in an oval. Predating Model A, kool! I’d love to find one, as I’d clone it.

Post by **TXGOAT2** » Sat Mar 12, 2022 4:34 pm

That damn boy of mine decides he needs a job in town so he goes and hires out and sure enough he gets paid and goes straight to the Western Auto and buys a bunch of nickleplate geegaws and comes home and put 'em on my Ford. Now the damned hens won't lay and the well bucket leaks!

John Heaman · Post by **John Heaman** » Sat Mar 12, 2022 5:13 pm

jiminbartow wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 12, 2022 2:23 pm
It looks like the top of those brass step plates have been cut short and new holes drilled, to fit a more narrow set of running boards.

I agree. Do you suppose they are not step plates at all?

Post by **jiminbartow** » Sat Mar 12, 2022 6:42 pm

I think they are step plates. Just step plates for a wider running board. Maybe pre-Model T. I think the Model K had wider running boards, but I’ll leave that line of thought for someone who knows more. Jim Patrick

Post by **Jerry VanOoteghem** » Sat Mar 12, 2022 8:23 pm

jiminbartow wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 12, 2022 6:42 pm
I think they are step plates. Just step plates for a wider running board. Maybe pre-Model T. I think the Model N had wider running boards, but I’ll leave that line of thought for someone who knows more. Jim Patrick

Model N's don't have running boards at all. They have buggy steps.

The brass step plates are the typical ones for a Model T, they have simply been cut off where they would normally flare upwards near the running board apron.

ModelTWoods · Post by **ModelTWoods** » Sat Mar 12, 2022 10:58 pm

I agree with Larry on one thing. I hate to have to change or modify anything Ford made from 1909 to 1927. Of course if the part needing modification is one that is currently reproduced or is readily available used or NOS on the market, it makes modifying something, less painful. Before the advent of powder coating ,which can be applied to running boards and is much more durable than most available paints, I would not have hesitated to install a set of step plates on my running boards, but with powder coating being so durable, I don't see the need for ste4p plates, anymore, and if I'm worried about shortening the life of my powder coated running boards, I can always buy a set of those clip on cocoa mats that Lang's sells. Now, for those purists that refuse to use Rootlieb reproduction running boards, I have one set of early tale off originals and one of of Rootlieb's. I dare anyone to inspect my car when finished, and guess with one guess which set is on it. No, that's too easy; you've got a 50-50 chance of guessing right. Maybe I'll blindfold you and let you "feel" the boards and guess.

Post by **TRDxB2** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 1:52 am

An old posting "Do Step Plates Devalue a T That Has Never Had Them On? "

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/59 ... 1451774015

Post by **MWalker** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 11:30 am

Larry -- We do it just to annoy you, which is actually quite easy to do.

Post by **AandTman** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 11:47 am

I love Step Plates........I love Step Plates..........I love Step Plates

Dropacent · Post by **Dropacent** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 11:55 am

This original was glued on, and didn’t go with the car. Toolbox also glued on and removed

Post by **KimDobbins** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 1:23 pm

Attention Larry Smith:
I have just installed big brass reproduction step plates on my original 1910 and 1913 touring cars. I installed them with 5/8 modern bolts and lock washers under the running boards to be sure they won't fall off!

Post by **Steve Jelf** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 1:32 pm

I'm thinking of upgrading my 1915 T with Packard step plates.

Post by **TRDxB2** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 3:02 pm

Speedway Motors Offerings Have fun with personalized - car name

Post by **BobP** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 4:56 pm

If you like step plates they can be installed with adhesive magnets and you can take them off when the Model T Police come. No holes, no hassle with T police. Thanks, Bob.

ThreePedalTapDancer · Post by **ThreePedalTapDancer** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 5:10 pm

I’m not concerned either way. Repairing holes in running boards is not a hard job if you are handy with a mig welder and flap disc. I’ve made holes disappear many times.

Post by **Jerry VanOoteghem** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 7:04 pm

Probably 45 years ago, for Christmas, my mom bought my dad step plates to put on the '25 Touring. Dad said there's no way he's drilling holes in the running boards. Well, as they say, happy wife, happy life. They've been on the Touring ever since and I'm not about to remove them, even though mom's been gone 30 years now.

Post by **Oldav8tor** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 8:24 pm

My T's running boards already had a few extra holes. Me, I prefer the step plate to scratching the paint on the running board itself.

John Heaman · Post by **John Heaman** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 10:09 pm

[/size]

TRDxB2 wrote: ↑
Sun Mar 13, 2022 3:02 pm
Speedway Motors Offerings Have fun with personalized

I tried that personalizing you commented on. It was fun.

I just picked two random names to see how the step plates would turn out.

: 1DFB4A87-1185-4D93-A222-29D443C2BABD.png (193.88 KiB) Viewed 7881 times

Post by **Steve Jelf** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 10:19 pm

I like Kim's idea of ⅝" bolts, but I think I may weld mine on so they don't get stolen.

John Heaman · Post by **John Heaman** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 10:28 pm

Steve Jelf wrote: ↑
Sun Mar 13, 2022 10:19 pm
I think I may weld mine on....

That's just brazin'!

Post by **Ken Buhler** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 11:29 pm

I'm with Larry on this one. What's all the fuss about using your running board for what it was made? Look at your daily driver car sills before you try to enshrine your Model T . Chances are you paid double to triple what you have in your Model T. In the winter we kick the sills to get rid of mud and snow, drag our shoes across the plastic sill plates and bump the door panel as we exit. I have a 27 coupe that I use to go get milk. If there is an issue, I will mask it off and paint it. Maybe it'll still be nice when I'm dead.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Sun Mar 13, 2022 11:41 pm

I have one brass step plate with the rubber Ford script insert on my 1912 chocolate van. It goes well with all the other brass.
Three other cars have kick plates to stop clumsy feet engaging with the valance panels. Two of these cars have colonial bodies with rubber covered wooden running boards, and the kick plates were part of the initial builds. A third has a pair of the Duncan and Fraser made items with the Ford winged script, the same as the ones on my wide body roadster. They are period accessories which serve a practical purpose.
Each to his own, but some cars were fitted with them from the manufacturers.

Allan from down under.

Post by **jiminbartow** » Mon Mar 14, 2022 12:06 am

I’m sure that when Henry Ford set out to make an affordable car for the masses, the farthest thing from his mind was that a century later they would still be driven by tens of thousands of Model T affectionados. As the step plate haters believe, Henry Ford was of the same opinion, that the running board was meant to be stepped on to gain access to the car and it did not matter that, if in the process, the running board was scratched, scraped, worn, rusted or damaged. The Model T was designed for rough service and was not designed to last a hundred years, however, since they have, thanks to our TLC, a hundred years later, don’t hold it against those of us with fully restored Model T’s, if we take the necessary measures to protect our efforts and our Model T’s from wear in an effort to ensure they last for another century. Jim Patrick

: 7781B05E-7D92-4449-9C0A-A575E7AF683B.jpeg (140.67 KiB) Viewed 7822 times

ModelTWoods · Post by **ModelTWoods** » Mon Mar 14, 2022 2:18 am

I didn't mention it in my above post, but I DO have a pair of No Name aluminum step plates that ironically have the same bolt spacing on the plate so that if I enlarged the countersunk hole in the plate, the spacing is just right to use the two holes on either side of the plate to mount using the Ford running board bolts. I was thinking about placing a rubber washer between the step plate and the running board to eliminate any damage to my powder coating.

Rich P. Bingham · Post by **Rich P. Bingham** » Mon Mar 14, 2022 11:37 am

?!? "Step-plate haters" ?!? 34 posts to this thread, only two object to them. Like "purists", they are the popular whipping boys everyone loves to sneer at. I really don't like step plates, mostly because for every one of them from the era, there are 10,000 bad latter-day impressions. Mind, I'm probably not the best example to follow. (She does clean up well, though !)

Post by **jiminbartow** » Mon Mar 14, 2022 11:48 am

Rich. That would look great with a mother in law seat. Jim Patrick

Rich P. Bingham · Post by **Rich P. Bingham** » Mon Mar 14, 2022 12:09 pm

Thanks, Jim ! Working on a pickup bed for her even as we speak !
(Can't haul nuthin in that dinky little turtle deck !)

Dropacent · Post by **Dropacent** » Mon Mar 14, 2022 1:15 pm

If you check the archives, Larry has had stepaditus for many long years now. I’ll bet there is counseling available or maybe an intervention from friends nearby. I too have a lot of pet peeves but I’m able to contain myself most days. I do slip on occasion. Maybe we can talk him into making ORIGINAL style head gaskets, and that’ll keep his mind off those demons. I’m first in line to buy a couple of Original’s gaskets!
I love Larry and have met him in person. I consider him a good friend. I think we even broke bread together. I wish only the best for him and any T owner.

Post by **TXGOAT2** » Mon Mar 14, 2022 1:21 pm

Nice dog... but not original.

Rich P. Bingham · Post by **Rich P. Bingham** » Mon Mar 14, 2022 1:25 pm

TXGOAT2 wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 14, 2022 1:21 pm
Nice dog... but not original.

Which one ?

hull 433 · Post by **hull 433** » Mon Mar 14, 2022 2:22 pm

Are there any examples of step plates in used before 1916?

Post by **Tadpole** » Mon Mar 14, 2022 2:29 pm

Step plates aren't for me but I don't like scuffs on my running boards. My trick is to tie old bed springs to your shoes, hop in and out, just watch your head with closed cars.

John Heaman · Post by **John Heaman** » Mon Mar 14, 2022 3:44 pm

Accessories generally come about out of necessity and demand. Even if they didn't exist when the early brass T's were produced obviously they became an accessory later on. From my reading, Ford made his cars affordable to the masses so it's no wonder they weren't standard on his production. Some cars step plates would look horrid on. One example would be on 1932 Fords. I believe the discussion may not be so much about step plates as it is about holes in running boards. So is there a problem with spare tire carriers mounted on T's? Ford never put them on during production, or did he?! Here in Canada he did, special order no doubt.

Personally I do not have a show car and if I did, I probably wouldn't put them on because it would be babied and a trailer queen. What I do have is a very nice driver with paint I want to protect. Also, I do not mind polishing brass.

John Heaman · Post by **John Heaman** » Mon Mar 14, 2022 3:45 pm

John Heaman wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 14, 2022 3:44 pm
Accessories generally come about out of necessity and demand. Even if they didn't exist when the early brass T's were produced obviously they became an accessory later on. From my reading, Ford made his cars affordable to the masses so it's no wonder they weren't standard on his production. On some cars step plates would look horrid. One example would be on 1932 Fords. I believe the discussion may not be so much about step plates as it is about holes in running boards. So is there a problem with spare tire carriers mounted on T's? Ford never put them on during production, or did he?! Here in Canada he did, special order no doubt.

B099A038-D452-49D0-96BD-C3CDD6863241.png

Personally I do not have a show car and if I did, I probably wouldn't put them on because it would be babied and a trailer queen. What I do have is a very nice driver with paint I want to protect. Also, I do not mind polishing brass.

A5E7F262-D1F2-4F2E-8146-94D75291A6D2_1_201_a.jpeg

Post by **It's Bill** » Mon Mar 14, 2022 5:49 pm

Personally, I think step plates are the greatest invention since heated car seats. Maybe heated toilet seats. Maybe remote TV controls. Maybe tablets so I can post dreck like this.

Bill

Les Schubert · Post by **Les Schubert** » Mon Mar 14, 2022 6:42 pm

All this discussion about step plates make me think.
I am going to make a couple of sets of the rubber parts for use with the aluminum step plates that Ford Canada sold as soon I will have access to a CNC router table. I could probably make a casting pattern for the aluminum frame parts.
Like I NEED another project!

John Codman · Post by **John Codman** » Tue Mar 15, 2022 11:17 am

My touring car does not have the step plates and apparently never did; there are no holes in the running boards. I have no intention of installing them either. On the other hand, if it had come with them when I bought it, they would stay. That would solve the issue of welding up the holes.

Post by **varmint** » Tue Mar 15, 2022 5:26 pm

Our coupe did not come with step plates and I have no intention or buying any.
It also did not come with running boards...hmmm...
We bought running boards that did not happen to come with step plates nor holes for such.
Just trying to keep this project simple looking.