VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 37 car jack

trying to identify the correct jack for the 1937 sedan can anyone help with a picture of what should be in the tool kit I have been told it to be Auscolift bumper jack.

My instincts tell me you should write to Dave Miner {dminer40@sssnet.com} or Bruce Bugay {Bwbugay@aol.com}.

Between these two guys you will probably find the answers and or parts you need.

Best of luck,
Michael41

Here's a pic of the "head" of my jack. It was in the tool storage area under the rumble seat of my unrestored '37 Sports Coupe when I purchased it. I am the 3rd owner and the fellow I purchased the car from told me the jack was in the car when he bought it, so I have no reason to doubt its' authenticity.

If you'd like any other pics of the jack, please let me know and I'll post them.
-Bob

Sure looks like a '37 jack to me. Uses the starting crank as a jack handle and lug nut wrench.

Is the 38 jack the same as the 37?

Originally Posted by canadiantim

Is the 38 jack the same as the 37?

According to my 1929-1939 Chevrolet Parts book, the same jack is used for cars, 1937-1939.

Hello Bowtie Bob:

The jack picture is of a 1937-1938 Jack. It is Part # 594610. It is getting harder and harder to find one in that nice of condition.
Dave

Yes, it covers those two years.

How does this jack attach to the bumper?

The jack does not attach to the bumper bar its self but rests under the brackets.There is a V in the load rest that fits under the area where the brackets are attached together. V'ee together that is. This is true for the 1937-40 jacks. The 1939-40 does not have the clamp screw.

It sounds like a strange way to jack up a car, but Gene is correct. The bumper jack touches the black bumper braces. That means that the bumper jack actually goes between the chrome bumper and the body of the car. I actually used my 1940 bumper jack once. When jacking the car up, the bumper jack apppears to be way too close to the painted body. It caused all of my gray hair to appear when I used the jack. From that moment on, I have carried a bottle jack in my car and my original jack has been used for display purposes only. If the VCCA ever finds out, I will probably lose my chevy chatter name.

Originally Posted by the toolman

It sounds like a strange way to jack up a car, but Gene is correct. The bumper jack touches the black bumper braces. That means that the bumper jack actually goes between the chrome bumper and the body of the car. I actually used my 1940 bumper jack once. When jacking the car up, the bumper jack apppears to be way too close to the painted body. It caused all of my gray hair to appear when I used the jack. From that moment on, I have carried a bottle jack in my car and my original jack has been used for display purposes only. If the VCCA ever finds out, I will probably lose my chevy chatter name.

That probably explains why a lot of jacks of that period are missing from the cars. One use and out they go, to be replaced with one that seems to be more stable. I carry an old scissors jack for actual use.

I agree with Toolman, I will not use a bumper jack they are too unstable and have been know to lean over and end up bent. They are a show item only.
Tony

The jack was intentionally designed to lift at the base of the brackets (close to the frame).
Going back to 1934 Masters, it was no longer practical to use an axle jack due to the knee-action. What they did in 1934 for the Master, was to furnish an extra tall screw jack that fit under the front cross member. Any type of bumper jack would not work on a 1934 due to the way the bracket was attached to the frame. One solid bracket was used on each side and fastened to the frame by one large bolt that went into the frame perpendicular to the bumper. Jacking by the bumper or its brackets would cause the bracket to twist on the frame. For the 1935 Master (and all 1936 models) they used a different approach. The front bumper was bolted to the frame in a different manner. It was bolted to the side of the frame as the later models were. This allowed the use of a bracket type of jack. In the rear the bracket was bolted the old way with a single bolt so the placed a loop under the bolt. The jack engaged into the loop and this was very sturdy. In 1937 all brackets were bolt to the side of the frame so there was no problem using the brackets. In 1941 the filler panel between the bumper and body prevented the use of the bracket jack so it was necessary for the jack to be placed under the bumper. In general the bumper and its brackets were strong enough to lift the car.

Jacks missing from cars. It was common years ago for the people to keep the jack when the traded or sold the car. That is why chevrolet offered a universal "used car" buper jack at a fairly low price. This practice fadded away during the 1950's.

I also keep a small hydralic bottle jack in the trunk.