Running board coverings and an updated ignition for a LaSalle

Question:

I am finishing a lengthy restoration on our 1939 LaSalle Opera Coupe and have a couple of questions.

I have not been able to find the proper running board covers. I have tried Steele Rubber Products and a few others, but so far I have had no luck. Do you know of a source for this?

I have purchased a generic material that I might have to use, but if I use this material I have not been able to find the proper adhesive to use, even from the material supplier. Do you know of any sources for that?

Also, I am considering an electronic pickup rather than points for the ignition. Is this a good match-up and if so, what is the expected life of these? I have converted to a 12-volt electrical system and a later vacuum advance distributor.

Answer:

For the running board rubber mats contact a business in Alberta, Canada, called Running Board Rubber Mats (runningboardrubber.com). They can reproduce your original

mats if you have them, and in many instances can provide you with correct reproduction mats even if your originals are gone. They have manufactured running board mats for 1939 LaSalles in the past so they very likely can help you. I don’t know if all 1939 LaSalles came with the same rubber coverings on their running boards but you may be able to determine if the ones they already have a pattern for are correct for your car by comparing them with the remnants of your originals if they still exist. There are a number of different adhesives that can be used to attach the rubber mats to the running boards, including several from 3M. For example, consider using 3M Scotch-Weld Neoprene High Performance Contact Adhesive (part #1357).

It has become increasingly popular to use aftermarket electronic ignition systems instead of OEM points. In my experience the new ignition kits are extremely reliable and as long as the module is not wired incorrectly or permitted to overheat it should last for many years.