VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 running board chrome trim

It looks odd without it now that I see it on the car. It covered the raised mimic trim (Master)of the runningboard perfect.

I googled "1938 chevrolet coupe running boards" . There are several types. The aftermarket running boards are flat all the way across the width of the boards. The Deluxe boards are mostly flat with a small radius towards the edge. The Master boards seem to have much more roll in them from the front fender edge to the board edge. Both my boards are alike,they seem to have a rolled edge all the way down the lenght of the boards,more so than some I've seen. I'm wondering if they were replaced at some point. They have the correct holes for the mat and have no body filler. I noticed this a few weeks ago at the NSRA show in Louisville,Ky. after seeing several steel 38s side by side. All of them are not made alike,even if they are steel boards from 1938.

I know the Deluxe boards have the flat edge w/holes to install nthe chrome trim,and the Master has the mimiced trim molded into the edge. I'm refering to the rollled radius from the front fender bottom edge to the edge of the boards.

Comments?

BTW I could be OVERTHINKING the situation...grin

Steve,

I collected about 4 pair of running boards when I was trying to put one decent pair together for my master coupe--including one passenger side NOS master deluxe board (sorry, I sold it before you were looking!). One of the differences that is commonly overlooked or not recognized is the difference between the 37 and 38 master boards. You see these boards grouped together as if interchangeable from 37 to 38 and vice-versa, but I discovered that they have subtle differences, and particularly at the long end of the board, which you describe. It is true that the bolt patterns and dimensions are the same and thus will bolt up to either year. But from a comparison of a board from a 37 master with one from a 38 master, it is obvious that the shape of the raised "molding" on the edge is different between the two--the 37 as I recall is a bit narrower and sharper; the 38, a bit broader and more curved, and this is particularly noticeable at the "tip" of the board. These differences were obvious when placing them side-by side. One guy told me it wouldn't matter if I mixed the two, because you couldn't look at both sides of the car simultaneously! But I held out until I found true 38 masters for both sides.

I'm not sure if the master deluxe boards for 37 and 38 differ in the same way (I've only had that one NOS), but I wouldn't doubt it. And when you throw in the aftermarket batches, it wouldn't be surprising to find a fair amount of variation.

The same can be said for a lot of 37 and 38 parts. You see things listed on Ebay and even with aftermarket outfits as fitting both 37 and 38; and they do fit. But the originals were often slightly (and sometimes not so slightly) different.

That's probably what's happening with the batch of running boards you saw at the show.

Yours,

Jim

Well that's good news. I must have 38 boards afterall. I was beginning to wonder if I was correct or not(you know how I'm really worried). Mine sure do roll down moe than some I've seen.I'm glad I don't have 37 or some other type. Thanks for the info. Like I said,I saw several that were not exactly alike and they were not aftermarkets.

The Chevrolet Parts book (1939 issue) lists only one running board Service Replacement for the left side and one running board for the right side for both 1937 GA GB models and 1938 HA HB models. This tells me that if you destroyead a running board on your 1937 or 1938 Master vehicle in 1939, the Service replacement was a Master Deluxe Board only. There's a note in the parts book next to this information that reads " NOTE: Paint molding when using on series GB or HB."

I guess mine wasn't replaced. I have a Master board with no holes for the Deluxe trim.

I read your post about the trim on your running boards. I have fiberglass running boards on 1938 master coupe. they were made by Old Chicago Auto Parts (I do not know how old they are and the company does not seem to be around any more, they were in portland,or.) My question is the running board has raised area on the edge that seems to be similar in shape as the chrome or stainless trim piece. Can I apply a trim piece over this area? Where can I find the trim pieces and how do they attach? Grant

Moffitt Chevrolet has many parts for sale on Ebay. I've bought several , just watch there if you have a chance. The clips are included if it's a new part,which mine were.

http://dickmoffitt.tripod.com/

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1937-1938-C...ries&vxp=mtr&hash=item3f10fca811


L@@K !!!!!

They look nice, problem is they won't fit over they raised simulated trim on my running boards. They are solid pieces and need to fit on flat surface. I will just keep looking. Grant

Hi Grant,

I think your solution is to remove the fiberglass boards and replace with some original boards. I assume your body is metal and not fiberglass also?

Steve, thanks for the tip about Dick Moffitts. If you could measure the length and width of the running board trim pieces you recieved from them I would appreciate the info. Grant