1925 Buick running boards

[J.H.Boland]

I just became the proud owner of a 1925 Buick Standard Six four passenger coupe.It was restored in the '80's but has been sitting for 25 years.The running boards on this car are just that- boards. Can anyone here tell me what the original covering and moldings looked like ? Also,the car was supposedly ordered new by a doctor,who specified that he did not want the right front seat.There is no indication on the original floor boards that there ever was one.Anyone ever hear of a "seat delete" option ? Any help would be appreciated.

[keiser31]

Sorry I cannot help with that except to say what a sweet little car! You may want to scroll down to the Buick section of this forum and ask there.

Edited July 21, 2017 by keiser31 (see edit history)

[bradsan]

J.H.

 

Nice car!

 

The originals were three boards with tongue and groove joints between them.

Covered by a ribbed rubber mat with aluminum 'L' trim on four sides.

Bob's Automobilia has the trim and the mat although some have not been impressed with the mat supplied.

There is a healthy, and helpful, group of 25 Standard owners in the Pre-War  Buick group. Feel free to jump right in!

 

Brad

[J.H.Boland]

6 hours ago, bradsan said:

J.H.

 

Nice car!

 

The originals were three boards with tongue and groove joints between them.

Covered by a ribbed rubber mat with aluminum 'L' trim on four sides.

Bob's Automobilia has the trim and the mat although some have not been impressed with the mat supplied.

There is a healthy, and helpful, group of 25 Standard owners in the Pre-War  Buick group. Feel free to jump right in!

 

Brad

Thanks Brad.I just found this forum last night and I'm trying to figure it all out !!

 

[dibarlaw]

J.H.

 Congratulations on your Standard Coupe. I have a model 25 touring. Our "Go To" guy has been Leif Holmberg in Sweden who also has done several model 25 touring cars. There seems to be some debate as to what the running board covering was. Ribbed rubber as Brad has noted or Linoleum. I chose linoleum based on a period photo of a 1925-55 Sport Touring.

Factory or other period photos being of no help. If the car was well used out in the weather the linoleum quickly gave out. By the late 1920s the rubber mat was the new replacement material. Your enclosed car would have carpeting as our open cars have linoleum for the front floor surface.

I may also have some photos of a survivor Standard Coupe.

[J.H.Boland]

Thanks Larry.I think I will order the ribbed rubber and moldings from Bob's Automobilia. This car is not a concourse restoration and will be shown at mostly local events where even ceramic tile covering probably wouldn't be questioned ! I do like to keep them as original as possible however. It would be nice to see the survivor photos.Not many of these seem to have survived.

 

Jim

[Larry Schramm]

Nice looking car.  Hope you drive it like you stole it.  That is the best way to enjoy your car, IMO.

 

The brass Buick script on the radiator is from a pre 15 car.

[J.H.Boland]

The brass script will be the first thing to go once the car is home. It will look better on the garage wall.

 

[Hubert_25-25]

Jim,

   I have researched mid "20's" Buick running boards quite a bit, and I need to make some corrections to what has been posted.  I am going to comment on the 1925 Standard here mainly.   I will put out a technical paper on this later, but for now this is what I can tell you. 

- boards were three tongue and groove each side and appear to have been pine.  Ash is an upgrade and quarter sawn is a further upgrade as it is less likely to warp.

- running board attachment bolts were originally 1/4 x 1 1/4" carriage bolts, but "elevator bolts" or "flush head bolts" are a better substitute as they have a flat top.  Use a Forstener bit or small hole drill to countersink these.  

- running board binding was on 2 sides of each board and held on by slotted oval head screws on the outside and casing nails on the inside (see 1924 4 cyl).  Bobs Automobilia carries the edge binding.  The screw spacing (#6x7/8") is 3 1/4".   Notice the pre countersunk holes in the original zinc plated edge binding.  Same part number for 1925/26/27 Standard.   

- the linoleum on the front of the running board is held and covered by the front fender. 

- Use exterior grade contact cement.

- the linoleum on the rear of the running board was held by the "running board end binding" - same part number for 1922-24 4 cyl. and 1925 thru 1927 standard.

- the 8 fender bolts are 1/4" x 1 1/2 " "step bolts".  Like a carriage bolt, but with a larger head.  www.restorationstuff.com

- 1924 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder (and earlier) list linoleum for running boards in the book of parts.  (gray) - but maroon shows on the 50 series cars.

So here is where it gets interesting

- 1925 Standard just lists a running board mat.  The 1925 McLaughlin book lists a gray mat, which would indicate linoleum, and they call out the floor and toe mat as rubber. 1925 Standard and McLaughlin have the same part number for the running board mat.

- 1925 Buick General specifications list a "ribbed linoleum of special design".  They also list "covering is a special design, having a ribbed center section"  

-1926 and 1927 list a running board mat with the same part number.  I don't have the general specs for 26/27.

- I found the last 2 pictures on the 1927 Buick Yahoo site.  Not entirely sure who owns this car or what year and model.  The long edge binding is the same as I have on my 25-25.  The mat seems to fit the general specifications description, but it is no longer available.  The edge binding shown is also no longer available and BCA judging allows the newer aluminum trim.

 I plan to use gray linoleum on my 25-25.    

"Battleship Linoleum" carries several different colors of linoleum and can send color samples.   I have seen several burgundy cars with brown linoleum. 

Special thanks to Leif, Larry and Brad for the photos and reference materials.

Hugh

 

 

Edited August 2, 2017 by Hubert_25-25 (see edit history)

[bradsan]

I defer to Hugh!

He is collecting (and sharing) an amazing pile of information.

On any differences we have , I plead McLaughlin.

 

Brad

[J.H.Boland]

Thanks for your help and input, Brad.Pleading McLaughlin works for me too.There were some trim and detailing differences,especially in the earlier years.

Jim

[dibarlaw]

Jim: I found the photos of the survivor I mentioned. Unfortunately, nothing to show the interior.

 

Larry

Edited August 6, 2017 by dibarlaw
Added content (see edit history)

[J.H.Boland]

Some interior shots of a survivor would be helpful.I believe that car was for sale in Hemmings recently,in NH. I almost bought a RF seat and other parts from a scammer,but I insisted on seeing pictures first.He sent me photos of three different cars,including this one.He claimed to be from Texas,but his area code was Nevada and he had a distinct East Indian accent ! He sent me a nice restored interior shot,the car from which he claimed he was dismantling.

Jim

[Terry Wiegand]

The details that Hugh talks about here are almost identical to what was done on the running boards for my 1916 D-45.  I will admit that I am not well versed on the '25 models, but the '16 thru '22's I do know a little bit about.  In regard to the running board moulding on the '25 models - it is entirely possible that the design details changed from 1916 forward.  Restoration Supply stocks the moulding for the '16 and later models up to ? year.  An interesting note about the moulding on my '16.  It is EXACTLY the same as the kitchen counter top moulding that was in my grandparents house.  My Dad redid the running boards shortly after he got the car and bought the running board and floor board trim from a flooring and tile supply business here in Hutchinson in the middle 1960's.  Hugh is da man in my book.  He is going to have as authentically correct a vehicle as is possible when he is finished with it.  The important thing that he has found out and that I have known for years is the invaluable help that illustrated parts catalogs will give a person.  I'm sorry if it seems like I hijacked this discussion, but I wanted for folks to know some more of the history in the details.  One last thing to mention here that is important.  For anyone thinking about ordering linoleum - DO NOT do it in the winter.  Do it in the middle of the summer.  During the winter it can freeze and will break if dropped.

 

Terry Wiegand

South Hutchinson, Kansas

[J.H.Boland]

Thanks for the info Terry.I now have all the components to build my boards.The battleship linoleum came from Tony Lauria in PA.,who will send you just slightly more than you need (in case your measurements were off) and the moldings and hardware came from Bob's Automobilia in CA. I will be starting assembly tomorrow.

Illustrated parts catalogs are near and dear to my heart,also.I was a GM parts guy for 42 years.

Hugh deserves special thanks for figuring out which covering is correct for the 1925.

When I restored my 1921 Chevy in the 1970's,a local flooring store had the linoleum and kitchen counter moldings were a close match.

Jim

[Terry Wiegand]

Jim, your Chevrolet truck is absolutely beautiful.  The old Deere and Company logo is just perfect for that truck.  I have told everyone for years that there are only three things in this world that are worth a solitary dime - and they are GM, JD, and HD - not necessarily in that order.  Please keep us posted with photos on your running board project.  Something tells me that the Buick will end up looking like your truck when you get it all sorted out.

 

Terry Wiegand

South Hutchinson, Kansas

[J.H.Boland]

Spent the better part of the day building and installing one new running board.Maybe the second one will be easier !

[dibarlaw]

Jim:

The new running board cover looks fantastic!  I got my linoleum from Tony also. A great guy to deal with. And that little Chevrolet truck is sure a honey!

Larry