Question "GIMP"?

[Graham Man]

I was going through a 1930 Graham parts book that listed "GIMP" my guess is it is fender welt?

 

[Rusty_OToole]

Gimp is a term used in upholstery. In this context you are right, it is most likely the fender welt. Interesting that they made different colors for different color cars. But, Graham was an expensive car.

 

Here is an example of gimp that would be used to trim an upholstered chair or love seat.

 

It is used to cover a seam or join just like welt to a fender.

 

Edited February 1, 2018 by Rusty_OToole (see edit history)

[Guest]

Gimp is still used in the manufacturing of cloth covered wood caskets.  People often select them because they are "warmer" looking.

Edited February 1, 2018 by Guest (see edit history)

[cahartley]

^       Wow, cloth covered coffins?........THAT must a be dead market....... 

[Restorer32]

Gimp is what my Son calls me when I hobble around the shop on my bad knees. 

[28 Chrysler]

A different term for fender welt. The additional charge for painted fenders, if it was like Chrysler in the 20s, it would cost you an additional $10

[Graham Man]

Thank you for all the help!

 

Graham prices for optional color fenders in 1931...if you add them up about $26 extra for color fenders...anyone want to bet the car got taped off, fenders scuffed and sprayed color over the black enamel....when new

 

Maybe not... 1931 wages in an industrial setting was $0.55/hour.  Lets go $1 for paint and materials, that still leaves 50 hours of work, less a little something for Graham, so 40 hours and new "GIMP" 

 

Edited February 1, 2018 by Graham Man
More information (see edit history)

[Rusty_OToole]

If this was on new cars they most likely had sets of fenders painted all colors stacked beside the assembly line. Pay extra and they put on the colored fenders and fender welt (gimp). Cheap skates got plain black. This is an old trick in the auto biz. Price competition forces down the list price, they make their profit on overpriced extras and accessories.

 

For replacement parts they would pull plain ones off the shelf and paint them if required. But they would prefer you buy the plain ones and have your local body shop paint them.

Edited February 2, 2018 by Rusty_OToole (see edit history)

[Graham Man]

I hear stories how there were body shops set up near Michigan Avenue in Chicago.  If you wanted a custom color they would send out the car and have it ready the next day.  With the rules we have today that would be hard to do and expensive.  In 1930 I would guess you could get it done overnight and for less than $50.

 

OK I pulled this picture to show a 1930 body shop...notice the guys painting...guessing it was a posed picture.  Anyway check out the Hall-Scott engine in the truck.  Apparently Hall-Scott was an WWI airplane engine builder in CA, they helped Duesenberg develop their racing engines in the 30s.  Strange what you can learn from an old picture.

 

Edited February 2, 2018 by Graham Man (see edit history)

[Rusty_OToole]

Appears to be a posed picture but interesting none the less. The fancy paint job makes me think that is a bus not a truck but of course, no way to tell for sure.

[Graham Man]

Check out the scallop louvers in the center of the hood, haven't even seen that on a hot rod before.  Must be a hinge on either side?  Headlights would make it 1926-7?