VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 Running Board mats

Looks like the home made way is the only way in this case. I wonder if an owner of a '34 Master wopuld be kind enough to photograph or sketch his mats and give me the number & size of ridges as well as the size of the larger surrounding ridge if there is one. I will attempt to do what member Ken Olmstead has done, laying down rubber strips and sealing them in with spray-on bedliner.

Hi, I have a pair of n o s boards for a 36 standard I found last fall, not for sail ! My 36 have off shore repos I am going to replace. I am not sure if the same ! I'll send pictures if you want. Thanks.

I have the same problem. My Dad and I both own a 34 master and a 35 master. The only person that I know who has the CORRECT mold for reproducing the mats is I & I Reproduction. But Wendy has informed me that they are currently out of stock and would not make more until the demand is enough for them to reproduce. I gave Wendy my info and was put on a waiting list by them, so if we get enough people to ask for them they might make a batch!!! SO EMAIL WENDY AT I&I REPRODUCTION TO BE PUT ON THE WAITING LIST, HOPEFULLY THEY CAN REPRODUCE A FEW FOR US AT VCCA

Those mats have been out of stock since I&I Reproduction acquired the molds years ago from the Jim McConnville estate after he passed away. Hundreds of dudes have been calling and writing to Wendy for years now, not only for the '34 and '35 mats but for the 1929-33 mats as well. So....how much of a demand does she want?

At this point it looks like someone else is coming out with the 1931-32 mats and the same supplier is currently making the 1929-30 mats.

I have been in contact with this vendor again and here is his message:

I purchased a pair of fibeglass runing boards for my 35 Standard coupe that included the mats. I painted the mats with a spray on rubber. Don't know if they make boards for other Chevies or not but would not hurt yo ask.

Poli-Form Industries, Dick Williams, Watsonville, Ca 1(831)722-4418 poli-form.com 1347@whois.gkg.net

A bit pricy but nothing is too good for our Stovebolts!

What happened to the gentleman from Western Canada that was making new mats? He had a website showing his 1934 - 1935 Chevrolet mats that he had reproduced. I've been on I&I's list for years as well....

Garry
The Canadian who started is back helping out a new guy who will do them like the originals. I've spoke to him &....well, read on & see what you think....Joe

Hi everyone,

I feel it is my duty and obligation to post the following message:

My name is Pat Rowden. I am the original owner operator of Precision Rubber. We reproduced over 500 sets of running board mats during the seven years I owned the business. I had customers worldwide with many obtaining first place honors at regional, national and international vintage auto competitions.

I sold the business six years ago to semi-retire and pursue other interests. Sadly Richard Loesch, the person I sold the business, through extremely poor business practices was forced to declare bankruptcy. Richard asked for and received payment in advance for a number of sets of running board mats that he did not reproduce.

I made arrangements with Richard’s landlord to have all boards that people wished to have boards returned, shipped back to them. The remainder of the boards were recovered by Kris Arneson, and then returned to their owners by Kris. Sadly, they however lost their original deposit when Richard declared bankruptcy.

When Richard Loesch declared bankruptcy Jon Engle decided to make running board mats without the necessary equipment, with a total lack of funds, and no business experience. Unfortunately Jon also took money up front for services he did not provide, and ultimately went out of business.

Luckily Gordon an avid vintage car buff friend of mine was asked by Jon’s former landlord to clean up his property for sale. Gordon took it upon himself to have all the boards returned to their grateful owners. Again all these individuals lost their deposits.

Kris Arneson is an avid antique car buff with over 30 years of experience in doing complete frame up restorations of vintage vehicles. He was looking for a business with a shorter time frame in the vintage restoration field, and as a result purchased the tools and equipment that I had designed and built from the receiver.

A couple of months ago he contacted me and asked if I would be prepared to help him reestablish customer confidence in the business. I agreed, and as a starting point I have built a website: www.runningboardrubber.com to showcase his business.

Kris’s 30 years experience as a licensed welder, auto body mechanic, painter, machinist and vintage auto restoration specialist I believe will prove to be invaluable in the running board mat business. His vast experience as a machinist I believe will also become a valuable asset for many as they look for that elusive metal part that is no longer available.

In closing I wish to thank those of you who were my valued customers over the seven years I owned business, and I also wish to express my deepest sympathy for those who suffered as a result of Jon and Richard’s actions.

If you wish additional information or clarification I can be reached by email at: rowden@telus.net or phone at: (403) 335-8644.

Yours truly, Pat Rowden.

I know of this tale well as I was involved with getting Gordon involved with returning the boards to the original owners when I could not locate Jon Engle and his shop was locked. It does sound accurate though I will check with Gordon myself about the present operation. It is a small community and Gordon is both a Real Estate Agent and fireman so knows everyone in town.

This is legit and checks out with Gordon mentioned above that worked to return boards to the original owners. I know him personally (he has a 37 Chevy sedan) and he referred me to Kris Arneson to get my boards done.

Kris Arneson is indeed doing this legitimately. I had notes to check out his operation as I have boards that I need to get done.

Maybe sometime over the summer I'll check out his operation.
If someone wants to get some work done through him, I will gladly help. I live within a couple hours and would love to see a source available for all of these mats.

Now that our Canadian source is back on, instead of a picture I'm going to ask someone to do the ultimate sacrifice, to lend either Kris or I an actual mat for him to copy. I'll check with him to see how good an original he needs to program his milling machine.

Pat
I was actually going to send him some 33 std, but I could send 34 master. I have 2 good samples. Would you want me to do that?...Joe