Hot Rods The Nerf Bar

[Ryan]

I've been thinking a lot about nerf bars lately. I've always had a certain fascination with them. When I was first building my '38 coupe, I tried for weeks to fabricate a set similar to the bars found on the front of the McCoy '40. I didn't have...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.

[sammamishsam]

Last weekend I was given a copy of Custom Car Volume 1 Number 1 published in 1957. It has an article on nerf bars. There were some pretty squirrely arrangements back in the day. It is a tough look to accomplish well. You're more than welcome to the magazine if you want it. Sans cover so no real collector value.

[40 & 61 Fords]

I definately agree with the “cool” and “awkward” part. I've seen some that look like something out of a jeep parts catalog stuck on cars that they made look worse. To me, they either need to be small and subtle, or if they're the big full size one, they have to have rounded ends, and follow the shape of the end of the body they are protecting. I've really wanted to do a set like the ones on Billy Gibbons 36 3 window for my coupe. The ones on the California Kid are also nice. Although it is hard to beat the ones on McCoy's 40. I bet that's probably the car people associate nerf bars with the most.

[Harms Way]

[1stGrumpy]

I have alway's liked the look of fat fendered Fords with a simple set of nerf bars. I plan on running them on my '46, something along the lines of these...

[kennedy]

This is the one my dad made for a 37 he built he built a few years ago.

[Tman]

I am always thinking of Nerf bars for some reason. I think they should be functional, so you truly can "nerf" something and have them hold up.

Kennedy, that one is truly unique and VERY cool!

[JeffreyJames]

Piero's classis solution....

[vegas]

The ones pictured in this thread so far look good, but most of the time I see them, I always imagine how much better the car would look without them. Some make the car look like it is wearing the front part of a footbal helmet, and this always makes me wonder why they are attached to the car.

[Jimv]

Always liked them & they were a "Stable" in the 50's! You were Off the scale if it had your initial in the center of it!

JimV

[yblock292]

I have always liked them but wonder , why are they called "nerf"?
,

[Builtforsin]

simple and elegant, whats so hard about that?

Seriously though, I think its a combination of the bar size, angles, curve radius', and the overall effect with a particular vehicle. Can't be distracting, obtrusive, busy and bulky. But can't be weak and wimpy either. To me it has to also at least appear functional.

[kennedy]

And one of the rear Nerfs...

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by kennedy

This the one my dad made for a 37 he built he built a few years ago.

Wow... Brilliant...

[JeffreyJames]

Here's a couple more shots of the one you posted. Love that car!






Not favorites but....


The classic Dr. Wetzel roadster....

[JeffreyJames]

Chris Casny's....

[JeffreyJames]

DS's nerf bar/headlight mount counts right? Classy out the assy.

[JeffreyJames]

Ya know this raises the question if my '35 needs one? I never want to buy a '35 Grille because they are hard to come by and expensive as all hell. I like the idea of two separate single push bar type deals but that's not enough protection. I also don't want it to be too flashy so I'd have to do some thinking. I was going to change over '40 bumpers but I like them better in the back then I do in the front so maybe this was the perfect kick in the ass to start thinking of a tasteful nerf bar out in front of The Wiczard!

[mj40's]

I have had the same fascination. Had a friend with a set on his 32 5window in the early 60's. I ended up with those and run them on the front of my 40 in the mid 60's. I still have them. I've been thinking about building a set for my 40 pickup project but then I think about the cost to chrome them and bought bumpers.

[Bull]

Nerfs front and rear on my Titus-built Tudor.