Skirt Latch Nuts Plating

Hi,

So, I have the skirt latch nuts for my '41 LC ready to go on the car. They are brass. Are they supposed to be plated? chrome? Cadmium?

Thanks,

S

They were originally chrome plated steel, chrome plated brass will look good but make sure locks work well or chrome will not hold up. I use the solid stainless steel repros polished to look like chrome for durability.

I' ve looked at a bunch of Continentals with the fender skirts on and the bolt-nut finishes vary from chrome to color matching. So what is really authentic, or does it matter only in having a car judged?

The "operating stud" as the chassis book calls the pre war fender skirt lock nuts were originally chrome plated. Reproductions were made in brass (when the original stock became extinct) to be plated by new purchaser. Some owners just painted the lock nuts body color to blend in. Later reproductions were made of polished stainless steel...eliminating the chrome plate...saved money. Go with the stainless if yours are messed up from usage. Judges won't know the difference...