Quite interesting article in the G&D about the tool kits. Mine is missing the slot head screwdriver & plug socket, the ball peen hammer and the 9" adjustable wrench. I discovered two adjustable wrenches at an auction last week. One said Ford on it so it obviously wasn't correct for a '38 Chevy. There was another at the auction that didn't say Ford but I couldn't make out the markings. It was red in color and appeared to be the original paint. What color were the adjustable wrenches in the pre war tool kits?

They were not painted so get out the paint rermover.

Part two, my '38 had a black wood handled screwdriver in it when I pulled it from the barn but it's a phillips head. Were phillips part of any pre war kits? Were the slot head drivers of a certain brand?

They came with a straight blade S.D. only. The wood handle on the screw drive that came with my 1939 was dark red. That car had all the original tools in the trunk when I pudchased it.
The tools that camw with the cars are listed in the shop manual on the bottom of the page that the serial numbers are listed.
The 1942 shop manual lists a straight S.D. only also.

Found it in the specs. Thanks Gene. It's listed as a [3-1/2" rd. shank screw driver] but doesn't specify phillips or slotted. However below it also says the school bus only gets a [3-1/2" rd. shank cross recess head screw driver]. I'm assuming that's a phillips so by default the other should be a slot head. Still looking. It curious that the list of tools also includes a tire iron. Anyone know the length & shape?

I have the jack, hand crank/jack handle, open end wrench, wheel (lugnut) wrench, pliers, & lube gun. I'm needing the screwdriver, plug wrench, ball peen hammer and tire iron.

I had trouble locating a screwdriver, cause it is a standard screwdriver with a flared end. I found an old screwdriver at a swap meet and used the bench grinder to get rid of the flared ends. I painted the wooden handle black. I know it's not correct, but looks good and I'm happy with it.

Tiny, I have duplicates but have never checked to see what is correct and what is "close" in my stash but there's a good chance I have your missing pieces.
I remember getting a tool document from Dave Miner's website years back to identify but don't know where the document is - do you happen to have this document?

Really not sure about a tire iron though. Are they referring to the lug wrench being called a tire iron possibly or do they list a separate lug wrench?

Bottom of the page Tim. <CLICK> It lists a "Wheel Wrench" and "Tire Iron". I'm assuming the Wheel Wrench is the lug wrench. That I have but don't even know what to look for in the way of a tire iron.

That sure makes it seem like there was a separate lug wrench and a tire iron. I would expect them to still be somewhat common if they shipped with every car.

Will do some searches when I have a chance as VCCA member Dave Miner? had a website and documentation for many model years that he sold for a couple bucks. I recall his website had reference to 1940 or similar as that's what year he had. I had a hard copy summary of the 1938 tools from him that showed pictures, dimensions and markings on the tools for identification. It made it super easy to identify.

If you check out E-bay today (Thurs..6/29)...under 38 Chevy someone has the lug wrench/pry bar combo along with the grease gun, TC horns etc....starting bid $200 and $50 shipping...Billu38