The real answer is to install curb feelers. When you get within 6" or so of the curb, they emit a loud scraping sound thoughout the car. My mom always had them on her 48 and 52 Oldsmobiles, because she was barely 5' tall and had a hard time determining how far she was from the curb.
Some people see them as a period perfect accessory, while others think they look goofy. I had them on my 56 Ford years ago, specifically to protect the wide whites. I always preferred the straight wire style since they were less conspicuous, but I don't see any of them on eBay currently. Here's an example of the spiral style:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CURB...torsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
