Wiring material question

At what point in time did fabric insulated wires become replaced by vinyl insulated wire. I'm shooting for late 50s early 60s vibe and would like to know which type of harness is appropriate. Thanks

 

I don't think there was an exact day in history when every car maker switched over to vinyl, but I do remember that in the mid 50's some cars were going away from cloth. I could be wrong on this, but I think by the early 60's pretty much every car had gone over. We'll see what some others have to say who own cars of that era with original wiring in them.

Don

 

I agree with Don, sometime mid to late 50's.

 

Thanks

 

My 1956 Ford has plastic wire and still is looking good. The wire is one color and the end terminals are a different color plastic that is heat sealed onto the wire. I remember the fabric covered wire as being mostly 6V That may be a coincidence but the change came around the same time as the factory converted to 12Vs 56 was the first Ford W/12Vs I don't know about 55 which was 6Vs

 

By 1955, most new cars had plastic insulated wires. But I expect a lot of hot rodders were still using the old cloth covered wire for several years after. look in pictures from old magazines....

 

I used Sacramento Vintage Ford wire. Nice stuff.

 

What is the coating designation for the good wire - something like GPX??

 

FYI - I believe that Macs Auto Parts sells both cloth covered wire and cloth wire loom by the foot.

 

If you took the same gauge wire, one with plastic the other with cloth insulation and ran the same amount of electricty through them until they fry, is one safer than the other?

 

The one designed for automotive use is safer than the other.

 

I worked on a 54 chevy tht had plastic. 53 as well. But the 53 looked like it had been replaced. Hope that helps any.

 

So what was all the Model T through early 1950's Ford wire designed for?

 

My 53 Chevy has plastic.

 

Probably for automotive use.