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Mystery running board step plates.

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2024 2:12 pm
by signsup
Well, at least a mystery to me. Set of four on the parts shelf. Rear mounting lip does not match the angle of my 27 splash apron which I presume they would mount into. And, no holes in any of the splash aprons on any of my projects, so just picked up along the way. Just enough crud on the backside to indicate that they were mounted on a vehicle at some point in time.
When I look at current aftermarket offerings, the Ford logo is usually centered and these logos are up towards the lip, like HF would not want anyone stepping on his name.
So, any idea what make or model these would fit and are they typical modern reproductions, or something vintage that would be more desierable.

They certainly would be out of place on my WWI ambulance project and it is only a four door.

I'll hang up and listen. Gas tank is at the shop being boiled out and carb is at the rebuilders, so time to cobble on the chassis and body.
step plates 1.JPG
step plates 2.JPG
step plates 3.JPG

Re: Mystery running board step plates.

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2024 2:15 pm
by ThreePedalTapDancer
Well the Oval ford logo with border is 1927 forward, they are for a Model A Ford. Common item.

Re: Mystery running board step plates.

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2024 2:36 pm
by signsup
My father in law had some A projects, so that would explain how these ended up on my shelf. And also explain the mounting angle different from my splash aprons.
Fast and easy response. Thanks a lot.

Now, to find some A owners...

Re: Mystery running board step plates.

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2024 4:52 pm
by Wayne Sheldon
Ford factory never supplied step plates for model Ts. While many other automakers provided step plates for their cars, sometimes as standard equipment, often factory of dealer installed options, All step plates for model Ts were after-market accessories. And, quite frankly, they were not very popular back in the model T's day.
People began making modern reproductions for model Ts back in the 1950s, and they haven't stopped yet.

Ford did offer some accessories in the later model A years. I don't know if they offered step plates then or not.

Re: Mystery running board step plates.

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2024 5:07 pm
by Norman Kling
I have 2 sets look just like that. One is on a 22 runabout. the other is on a 26 Roadster. They fit. Have been there for over 25 years. They were on my cars when I bought them.
Norm

Re: Mystery running board step plates.

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2024 5:11 pm
by John kuehn
The step plates are an aftermarket accessory that are not made for any specific car. They probably will fit some of that era but an add on if you needed them. MHO

Re: Mystery running board step plates.

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 11:10 am
by Norman Kling
Mine were on the cars when I bought them. No attachment to the splash shield, but small holes drilled through the running boards to match the holes in the step plates. Short flat head bolts with nuts and lock washers underneath.
Norm

Re: Mystery running board step plates.

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 9:44 pm
by signsup
Well, I learned a lot on this subject. What I thought was the mounting plate at the rear of the plate with the curved flange and the four slotted holes has nothing to do with the mounting but is actually a boot scraper. The step plate would mount at the outboard edge of the running board with the four small screws or bolts drilled through the running board and the boot scraper lip would be about 2" away from the splash shield. And, upon entering the vehicle, you would scrape the mud off your boots and save your floorboards.

I know they would not be thhis fancy, but I could see a motor pool in France cobbling up some sort of boot scrapers with all the mud at the front and trying to keep the ambulance looking as clean as they could. So I may use one or come up with something similar.

Thanks for the lesson in step plates. I thought they were just for looks.

Re: Mystery running board step plates.

Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2024 2:56 pm
by J1MGOLDEN
More likely from an early fire truck!

Re: Mystery running board step plates.

Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2024 3:10 pm
by GG Gregory
No mystery. They’re aftermarket items for a Model A. I have a set just like them.