Running Boards
A running board is a vehicle part, generally used to facilitate climbing up or getting down in the vehicle. It can also be a fashion statement, on the vehicles which do not require it. A running board is a strip of metal, narrow and designed to be fixed under the doors of the vehicle, typically in cars made in 1950's, which had a higher ground clearance than modern cars.
Running boards, also called nerf bars, footboards, or simply truck steps give a bold new look to the design, and is also used to stand on the vehicle on the move, which is particularly illegal in most of the countries traffic regulations as it poses a serious risk to the person standing on it for tripping and falling off it. Another typical example of their use was shown in old action movies where the actors would use to stand on it to fight while driving the vehicle. Well the idea of running boards come to car makers over a few decades ago when the roads were mostly rough with huge pit holes and stones which damaged the engine severally. Manufacturers decided to make cars with higher ground clearance to ensure a smoother ride but it created a great deal to get on and off them. Running boards necessarily solved the problem plus providing with extra space to keep spares and tool kits cleaning up the boot.
But we shouldn't talk about them as a thing of past. Some British car manufacturers still make cars with royal running boards. The VW Bettle comes with a company fitted board, though small and entirely useless.
Running Boards come in a variety of colors and quality. Big trucks generally carry long contrasting chrome running boards but customized cars owners prefer to have fiberglass ones which match the paint of the body. Off late, the trend of putting on halogen lights on running boards is also catching up. Also there are different sizes of boards to match the one with car’s body like sturdy heavy duty for SUVs while O.E. Style Running Boards for your compact sports car.
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