Re: Why were running boards phased out?

Posted by Craig the Clipper Man On 2015/11/20 14:01:54

Something else contributed to the demise of the running boards. For decades racing cars had eliminated running boards to reduce weight and improve aerodynamics. As noted by other responders, American tastes in design were moving toward more modern appearance, which corresponded with the concept of greater speed and performance. By the late 1930s higher-end cars like Packard and Cadillac had hydraulic brakes with better stopping performance. Horsepower was also increasing. More paved roads meant cars could travel at higher speeds safely. As mentioned before, running boards were an anachronism. That is one of the reasons the new 1941 Clipper was such hot car for Packard -- it looked modern and sleek, even if it did share a lot of components from the 120.

Running boards are still around on late model SUVs and on those vehicles, they make a lot of sense. With their higher centers of gravity, floor boards, and seating, running boards -- some of which extend out when a door is opened and retract when doors close -- assist drivers and passengers with ingress and egress from the vehicle.