dix40 Posted June 29, 2005 Share Posted June 29, 2005 are running boards available for a 40 coupe? New to Buicks so I need suppliers. Just got a nice 40 setup with a 327 w/ tunnel intake, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted June 29, 2005 Share Posted June 29, 2005 Actually, running boards were optional in 1940, with many buyers opting for the hidden "stream boards" instead. If your car doesn't have running boards, check to see if you have a stream board equipped car. I'm not exactly sure how the running boards were attached in 1940, but if your car originally had running boards, there is probably some evidence of it somewhere (mounting brackets on the frame, mounting holes in the front and rear fenders, etc.). If there's no evidence of a running board, then your car probably has stream boards as original equipment and you can save a few bucks by not worrying about replacing running boards.Confusing or helpful? Helpful, I hope. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palbuick Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 Sorry Matt\1940 Special,Century, Limited all had running boards as standard equipment, with the stream boards as an option. The Super and Raodmaster had the new style body, without running boards.The Special and Century were the same length boards, and the limited were longer.Jim Schilfpalbuick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 You're right, Jim. That's what I was trying to say. I didn't realize that the Super and Roadmaster didn't have running boards available at all. Hopefully we've answered this fellow's questions.Thanks for the info--I learn something new every day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 So my turn to learn something... What the heck are Stream boards ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick_S Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 Stream boards are a tad more "streamlined" (get it?!) than rubber vulcanized runningboards. They are thinner and tuck in closer to the body, and are all metal construction painted to match the car color. They dont stick out to the edge of the fenders or past them as do runningboards. Two or three metal rib strips on top running the lenth of the board and one mouling on the outer edge appro 1 3/4" tall.Your teacher,nickSS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick_S Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 On another note - I was once shown ooollld pictures from Jenkins of a '40 super 4-dr that had a true dealer installed rubber runningboard conversion. Didnt look too appealing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airbrushguy Posted July 1, 2005 Share Posted July 1, 2005 I have a '39 model 60. Did they have streamboards in '39?How avalable are either streamboards or running boards, for a '39 now?Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick_S Posted July 2, 2005 Share Posted July 2, 2005 runningboards are very common, good luck finding a "good used"set. most likely you have to get a pair redone. Streamboards are less common but can be found. Both styles were available on 39 and 40 models years.see attached pic for what a streamboard looks like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ewing Posted July 3, 2005 Share Posted July 3, 2005 You referenced the years 1939 and 1940 with the stream boards. Was 1939 the first year offered? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glassesguy Posted July 3, 2005 Share Posted July 3, 2005 Guys:The 28 to 41 Buick Master Parts Book gives some interesting info on the streamboards (or "rocker finishing panel" ) as Buick named them in their service literature. The steamboards were available, starting in 1939, on the 40 and 60 Series only and at no extra charge. These were the new bodies for 39. I'm glad the picture of these was posted. They were available for all body styles for the Specials and Centuries. They are not hard to see pictured several times in the period advertising. When streamboards were used, a rubber gravel guard was attached to the front of the rear fender. Rear fenders for these jobs carried their own part number as there were holes drilled into the fender to attach the guards. In 1940 things changed a bit. The streamboards carry a different part number as you will recall that Buick changed the wheelbase on the 40 Series from 120" to 121".I'm not sure why the Century changed as it kept its 126" wheelbase.; but there it is in the parts book. The moldings of course were different between the 2 years and this is reflected in the part numbers as well. Interesting , too, is that the parts book lists the streamboards as available on the 40 and 60 Series, but in Gr. 8.304 lists the moldings necessary for these panels only for the open cars (41C,46C,61C,66C). No listing for the Coupes and Sedans. Remember this is the factory listing. What would you bet a dealer would be happy to put them on a closed car to make the sale?? Regarding the running boards, they were optional for the new 50-70 series bodies in 1940 only. The conversion package is listed under Gr. 8.299 part number 1393004 for 50 Series and 1393005 for the 70 Series. Running boards were standard on the 40, 60, 80 , and 90 Series. This is probably more than you wanted to know, but I learned a little bit here as well. At last years Auburn Auction, a 1939 46C was offered at a hefty price equipped with later model 15" wheels and LaSalle rocker finishing panels. Hope the buyer knew the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dix40 Posted July 4, 2005 Author Share Posted July 4, 2005 Thanks for tthe info guys. Especially airbrush guy for the pic. Very helpful. dix40 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dix40 Posted July 5, 2005 Author Share Posted July 5, 2005 I see it was NickSS that sent the pic. Thanks Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airbrushguy Posted July 6, 2005 Share Posted July 6, 2005 I bought my '39 series 60 4door sedan about 20 years ago and it had the running boards it has now on it(in bad shape.) I've always been questioned by onlookers as to why the front of the two rear fenders have holes in them...I wonder if it's because it once had streamboards or the fenders were from a car that did. Was there any other reason for these mounting holes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick_S Posted July 6, 2005 Share Posted July 6, 2005 post a picture and I'll let you knwo what I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55PackardGuy Posted July 7, 2005 Share Posted July 7, 2005 Nick,Nice picture! If I may ask, how did you get such a large color pic to meet the "under 100K" limit for AACA picture posts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glassesguy Posted July 7, 2005 Share Posted July 7, 2005 See my post of July 2 to answer the question about the holes in your rear fender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airbrushguy Posted July 17, 2005 Share Posted July 17, 2005 It's got 5 slotted, elongated holes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glassesguy Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 I wasn't able to pull up your attachment for the picture, but your description seems correct. Twist tabs on back of the stoneshields fit thru those holes. If you don't mount streamboards, I'll bet there are some buyers out there for those fenders who would find you some standard ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airbrushguy Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 Actually I can't find the streamboards OR the stoneshields...if I couldn't find either, I was just going to weld up the holes!!!I'm open for offers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick_S Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nick,Nice picture! If I may ask, how did you get such a large color pic to meet the "under 100K" limit for AACA picture posts? </div></div>Its large but low quality. I think I also sized it to 75% in some photo program though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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