Projects 1938 V8-60 Bantam Roadster - Opinions Please

Building a Bantam Roadster with a V8-60, using a mix of Bantam and American Austin parts to get the look that I want. Very happy with everything up to now but now I am stumped. I mocked it up both with and without running boards (made of cardboard to check the look) and I can't decide. My friends and brother didn't help, either, they are 50-50. Looks more traditional without, but more finished somehow with. What do you think? Thanks.

 

Cool little roadster. I vote for the running boards.

 

I agree, "Looks more traditional without, but more finished somehow with"

 

Running boards or maybe some shorty Lakes pipes?

 

cool little car, would love to have one myself to tool around in. i say go with the running boards it just looks better with them.

 

Another vote for the boards!

 

Lets keep it consistent and vote one more time for the running boards. With fenders shaped like the ones on a '40 Ford the running boards just look natural.

Frank

 

I goota go with the running boards. It just seems to need something between the fenders. But screw all that!!!! Tell us about the 60 mill. Needless to say, I am a fan of the almighty V8-60, and I pay homage to the likes of Norm Rapp and Jim Correia. They rock!!!!!!!

 

Running boards would be my least worry,,,,That windshield frame would need to GO

 

Gotta' do the running boards. Looks unfinished without them.

 

now this is original!! good work, agree with those who say put the running boards on, those fenders are pretty big relative to the body and the running boards help to tie them together, otherwise they sort of look like clam shells hanging out there...

 

It's obvious that the car looks like something is missing without the running boards,,,,the car needs running boards. HRP

 

Having owned 3 Bantams(2 coupes and a truck) I vote without.. Cool little and I mean little cars.. Wheel base is 80", same as a golf cart...

 

Lookin' good Greg. It looks a bit high without the running boards. I'd run 'em if you aren't going to lower it any.

 

Nuther vote for the boards ...

 

Go with the boards, looks like a complete car with them and an ***embly of parts without.

 

Running boards.

 

Looks kind of "Jeepy" without the boards.

 

I'm thinking a filler panel underneath the body that's level with the bottom edges of the fenders will fill in the blank spot and make it appear whole. It will help the no fender look flow better.

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^^
What he said.. It ties the fenders together so they don't look like an after-thought.

What I want to see is how it looks without fenders!!

 

^^^^ I go with what he said he said. ^^^^

 

Thanks for all of the comments so far. Looks like running boards are the answer. To be totally fair, there is the possibility of the rocker panel that would normally be mounted. Forgot to include a photo of that. Here it is along with the requested photo without fenders. And WBRW32, I appreciate your input but I like the windshield, it stays on this one. Using the later folding Bantam windshield on the other roadster.

 

My vote is for boards. Gives it a clean finished look and a street look instead of the race care (strip it all off) look. Its really a cool car.

Pat

 

Another vote for the boards, but to be honest I like it without the boards, too.

 

I vote for the boards to stay, they are so part of the cars overall charm and look. Very cool project. JW

 

Definitely with the running boards, looks like its missing something without them.

Very interesting car though, I've never seen one of those before. Really cool project.

 

Thanks again to all who took the time to comment. Will be building running boards when I get back to Jacksonville next week. Good luck with all of your builds. Greg

 

Maybe some cues from here on the boards

 

With the scale of those front fenders, you need something there to balance them out a bit.

I'd get some cardboard tubes and paint them silver (or wrap them in tinfoil) and stick them in there to see if pipes would work to this end and if you like it better.

 

I like the boards with the stock front fenders, but I also agree that the fenders look large and out of proportion to the car. Have you thought of some small cycle style fenders?