History When did the checkered firewall start?

Please share some history on the checkered firewall. I am a big fan of checkerboard firewalls. I’ve seen lots of “how to “ threads here but nothing about how or who started it? Ive ask at shows and the usually answer is it just looks cool and I agree. If there is a thread that someone knows about please let me know thanks.

 

I always liked the checkerboard on P-47 cowlings. Did that migrate from or to the hot rod world?

 

I bet it started right after the first checkered flag dropped.
Find out how long or when that happened.
https://www.simplemost.com/why-checkered-flag-used-end-races/
Probably more than you wanted to know.

 

somewhere in the checkered past : )

 

Man, you guy's blow me away with "this correct era thing" making things a lot more "stressful" on your selves! Glad I didn't live threw this fad................................................

 

I'm thinking the OP is just curious.
After all, it is the HAMB. So somebody will almost always know.
I'm old enough to have lived THROUGH several fads so far... Hope to live THROUGH several more

 

About 3 days after the first firewall appeared on/in a car.

 

I’m not sure but if they went away completely my feelings wouldn’t be hurt.
When I see one I always want to start a game of checkers

Either that or spray it over completely

 

Was this the first car with a firewall painted like that? or was it done recently, as it appears?

 

I think that was done in the '60's to screw with your mind.....................................

 

April 17, 1947

 

31 A, 9/10/11 by edcodesign posted Oct 15, 2011 at 8:59 PM

A wile back !

 

very precise. Nice job.

 

From another view...

 

Not April 18,1946 ?

 

I agree with the first part. Just curious about how you are communicating with us. Did you use the Departed this Stage of Existence App? Maybe through a medium at a séance? Whatever the case, if you run into my uncle Ernie ask him where he hid the money from the bank robbery.

 

Sam Foose ??

 

Well said

 

That would be the late 70`s with his chopped Ford (46-48) coupe. @Sancho

 

I can remember as a Youngster pre driving age seeing a killer 36 Ford Coupe with a Black and White checkerboard firewall. It also had upholstered running boards, full Chromed out Flathead and no hood so the whole world could see it. I was hooked. I'm now post 70 years young and that memory still influences things I do. I doubt that 36 Ford was the first Hot Rod to get the treatment. I also remember him being a former pilot in the Grate War. I should have asked where he got the idea but was to captured by the overall Statement of that Ford. I pay homage to that 36 in that I believe it lit my Fire to do what I do and be what I am. I only hope I can do the same for some youngster somewhere along the way. If so then that WW-2 Pilot's soul lives on in memory if nothing else.

 

Man some one had to concentrate on doing this one. Must have been smokn some good shit!

 

My honest opinion is that the checked firewall is mostly a pseudo 1950s thing that started in earnest in the 80s and 90s.
It may have been done in the period but I don't think it was that common.

In the 80s with the pastel, multi color slashes and graphics.....a traditional gimmick like a checked firewall is a counter culture statement. It shouts.....I'm old school!

This aroused my curiosity so I have searched through many many original hot rod photos. This is the trend I see...
Firewall color by My little sample....
Body color
White
Polished/reflective
Black
No period images of a checked firewall was found in my little sampling.

I have not seen them all but...

 

looking good!

 

Built around '77 I believe....

Underside of hood too!

https://public.fotki.com/Rikster/11...cars/sam_foose_build_cars/sams_48_ford_coupe/

 

The Sam Foose coupe is the first one I ever seen with the checkerboard when it was in magazine in the late 70’s


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

now a days I see it mostly on model A`s.

 

did you ever get a useful answer?

 

I remember a mid-sixties HRM coverage of the Oakland roadster show that had a car with plaid.

 

well its not as old as i thought it was. its always nice to see.