Technical Do I have the original running boards? (1940 Ford Coupe)

I want to get running board covers but I read in another thread that they won't fit after market runningboards (Smoothies)?

Are my running boards original or not? Can you tell by the pictures? I have no idea myself.

 

Look aftermarket to me. Don't believe the originals were smooth under the rubber covers.

 

Probably a quick way to heck would be to look underneath, Stockers have loads of little holes for the vulcanised rubber to grab on to, and the curved edge on the outside is kind of angular, not smooth at all, in fact, they are pretty lumpy all over. If there are signs of this or the holes underneath, they may well be original, if not, Id say there aftermarket. On the plus side though, you wont need to do much prep to fir the covers, ***uming they will fir them if they are aftermarket.

 

Yours a most likely aftermarket. The curve on the outside is a bit too tight, It does not have the relief marks (that neilswheels remarked on) and it is too straight front to back. Aftermarket covers are simply not going to fit, they only fit original boards and there are no replacement boards with the correct shape.

One option is fibergl***. We do make boards with the rib pattern molded in, painted with a dull and resilient bumper paint they can look stock.

 

A lot of running board covers I have seen installed, even Bob Drake ones, you have to really clean the boards good or eventually the rubber starts buckling like the rubber is too big when all that is wrong is really the glue surface. Rubber can be cut and glued back together with super glue to get to get a good fit. This might work for you.

 

I didn't want a smooth finish on my painted 51 GMC running boards so I had them arma coated. Non slip and I think look really nice. You might consider doing that to these smoothies. Would look nice.

 

I usta have a pair of originals around, but you don’t put your location in your profile so we don’t know if you are half way around the world, or next town over.

 

Look at the running boards on this 40, post #12. I'm pretty sure he discusses it in the build thread of the PU.
EPAS in a 1935-36 Ford Pickup | The H.A.M.B.

 

I'm half around the world unfortunately. In Sweden.

I appreciate all comments and help in this thread. Thank you guys.

 

Why couldn't a guy strip the boards and recoat with bed liner? Too cheezzee looking as in cheap ***?

 

Good option is to use ribbed floor runners. buddy with 40's Pontiac that none were made from used it and it looked just like stock and at a bargain price. https://www.amazon.com/Rubber-Cal-F...text&ref_=fplfs&smid=AR1XNW36G4B79&gQT=1&th=1