Early non electical solenoid starters with a mechanical linkage and a lever sticking up next to the gas pedal, and yes, my '47 still has one and I am often asked about by the younger folks.
My 54 isn't a "stomp starter" as it used to be... When I added later model running gear, in order to keep some of the old truck vibe I used an 8N Ford tractor starter button in the floor. It looks just like a floor dimmer, and is mounted where a floor dimmer would be. See, doubles as a theft deterrent device!
I wish I kept it in my 37 Chevy p/u,if I had been thinking right when I installed the T-5 I would have found a foot stomp starter and the matching flywheel and installed it when it was apart but too much like work now. I did put the pedal up through the floor to make it look like it still has one but when it needs a clutch I will put one back in.
I used the stock 32 Ford starter button. While not technically a stomp starter button you still start the car with your foot. I was getting ready to leave one evening when a young kid came up to the passenger window to talk. I was resting both elbows on the steering wheel when I hit the starter button with my toe. It started instantly and the kid hit his head on the window frame as he jumped back. It scared the shit out of him. How'd you do that?!?!? The Deuce starter button is a technological marvel. A piece of copper bar stock that contacts the 2 cable lugs when it is pressed down with the toe. Who needs a solenoid?
Do the accelerator activated starters in the old Buicks count as a stomp starter? I have one in my 37. There's a switch on the carb that activates the solenoid when you press the accelerator all the way to the floor. A vacuum switch opens the circuit when the car starts. Oh, and I also have one on my 1951 John Deere......
I have one in my '50 Chevy truck. It works fine but I might replace it with a push botton, I hit it when Im driving sometimes instead of the gas. No Bueno.
When I put the V8 and auto in my old 50 chevy p/u I lost the function of the floor starter. However I dummied one back in, just bolted to the floor. The look on the state safety inspectors face trying to start it was priceless.
phone line's been disconected since i posted this so please forgive the lag in responce. i should have labled this thread floor starter or foot starters. lol. anyway.. i love in the one in my 46 IH and you truly have to stomp that bitch to get her down, stiff ass spring on it, but thats one the the 6 things i have to do to start that old dump truck. lol. atleast it won't get stolen. i'm thinking of building a another rod, a dodge brothers mayhaps and i think i'll keep or go with a stomp starter.
to start my truck you have to turn on the fuel valve, flip the big gate switch to the juice box, turn the key on the dash, pull the choke , hold down the clutch and stomp the starter like you hate it!. and she fires right up on the second turn.
i have won a few $$$ from unsuspecting co-workers that thought they knew alot about cars. they couldn't start my model a tk
Buick: step on accelerator, Pontiac: step on pedal above the accelerator, Chevy: pedal beside accelerator, Early Ford V8: pedal between clutch and brake, Model A: above brake, Studebaker: push clutch pedal down firmly, early Jeep: raise lever by seat, many early: pull on crank, early John Deere: open compression release valves and pull on flywheel, and one I need help with---pull shift lever back towards the steering wheel when in the neutral position, could be a foreign car. Isn't it a hoot that they're making a big deal about new cars having a separate start button from the key switch?
i'm thinking about making a piston&rod style pedle for my stomper, it'll make people ask all sorts of odd questions.
had one in my 51 willys, took a bit of effort to engage and really out of the way. never ever bumped it by mistake and don't believe that without trying to engage it would be done accidentally.
i had a 52 willys jeep that had one on the right near the firewall. loved that damn jeep, only problem was my sixe 13 feet .. real easy to hit all three pedles at the same time.
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