Re: 1938 Packard Eight running board mats

Posted by FPTGearhead On 2010/3/14 14:49:27

After a closer look at my car, I think the rubber material is glued, bonded, or just adhered to the metal of the unit. After years of sun and heat it is hard to tell if they we designed to detach from the metallic structure or were permanently manufactured to it. I was under the assumption that I can somehow remove the rubber-like material and recover it with new replacement. This is how my other old car, 1940 Chevy, was done. I guess some of the after market vendors would use my old ones to create a pattern for the mold and then recoat my stripped metal boards. Sounds labor intensive and expensive. If that is the case, what is the story with the other Steele Rubber mats that are available for the 1938 Super 8 and V-12? Are they designed to recover the metal or be glued/bonded or what? I will continue my search but am I looking for the full running board metal with rubber top pad or just the mats? I am contacting Steele and find out what's up with that and take the other Packard owner's advice and ask if they used to make the mat or possibly can make it as they still may have the molds.
Thanks for all the help.