Stolen from the HAMB.
Fender welt began to be used in the early-mid-20s on larger more expensive cars. By the late 20s it was being used on virtually all vehicles as it provided a finished edge to the juncture of panels particularly between fender and body.
Beaded fender welting was available as made originally for Ford, GM and other manufacturers from the OEM manufacturer until the early 80s when they changed the bead core material from twisted paper to a polyplastic solid core then later to a poly tube. The covering remained the same. Rising costs made the OEM stuff too dear for the cheapjohn consumers of the time so other folks began making the stuff of sewn vinyl material with a tubular core. This lasted for several years then the OEM style stuff returned to the market at the higher price reached by the vinyl "cheaper" replacement material earlier. What a country!
The smaller beaded lacing was used on Fords and Mopar products whereas the larger bead stuff was most often seen on GM vehicles.
The hood and fame to body lacing/welting of asphalt-treated woven hemp continued to be made in the various sizes and in beaded, smooth and wire-on styles also made by an OEM manufacturer is and has been available uninterupted since the old days.
That said, between many panels, both interior and exterior, there was used an asphalt impregnated cloth tape most likely a commercial old style Bulldog Friction tape. This was used on dashboards, front end sheet metal panels, garnish mouldings etc., anywhere a possible squeak might develop. Often, when dismantling an original car, you'll find remnants of this tape sticking to joining edges of panels.
