VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1941 Bumper Jack on ebay

A NOS jack on ebay is for sale. The part number on the jack is not the same as in the online Chevrolet 1929 - 1954 Parts and Accessory Catalog. Is this or is this not a correct 1941 bumper jack?

1941 bumper jacks?

Thanks, Mike

That is a 1941 jack. The number listed that is stamped on is not a part number. Would be correct for 1942 also.

Gene and Ray, et al.

Didn't they also have one with a round upright with clinchers to hold the load? Or, was this the only one available that can be claimed as original to the 41?

Is there any problem with judges at Chevrolet shows with the jacks owing to them not being classed as an accessory?

The above questions are not perfectly stated but I think you understand what my concerns are.

Thanks,

Charlie

The round post friction type jack ( not ratcheting) was an accessory up-grade jack. The jack that came with the car was the ratcheting type---click-click type.
Either type is OK for judging (95 % of the judges will not know what a 1941 jack looks like - sorry to say.)

It is my understanding that if either of the mentioned jacks were found in the trunk or elsewhere on the car by VCCA judges there would be points deducted. This is owing to the rules that no added items can be added to the car except basic car items or GM accessories. Since neither is a GM accessory then one can expect to lose points. You'll need to take it out of the car.

I refer you to the latest posts in the Accessories Forum.

Is my thinking correct on this matter or do I have it wrong? I invite you to straighten me out.

Best,

Charlie

The ratcheting jack is part of the tool equipment that CAME WITH THE CAR from the factory.
The accessory friction jack that is pictured in the 1941Chevroletl iterature is legal for that reason.

Gene


Maybe my comment was shooting from the hip or just a knee-jerk reaction.

I thought you had said sometime in the past that a 41 didn't come with a jack but that dealers sold them. Also, that they came in al long cardboard box from the dealer. That and the statement by Steve of the Judging Committee caused me to think there was no actual GM jack that could satisfy the GM rule as espressed in Steve's statement:

" If the accessories are GM and listed in the documentation that the owner supplies then the condition of the accessory is the key."

Is the jack (either one) something that came with the car and, if not, an accessory? If an accessory then it would then have to be a GM product wouldn't it? Is there a GM stamp or something on either one of these jacks?

If VCCA judged, will documentation be required in each case of a jack being on board the car? If you are right then there should't be any need for no stinkin documentation.

This is confusing to me. Maybe I need a good knock up side the head. You got a piece of two-by-four handy?

Best,

Charlie

If I remember correctly both the FACTORY SUPPLIED RATCHET JACK AND THE ACCESSORY JACKS WERE MADE BY wALKER IN RACINE WI. Also made Walker Mufflers that GM used on some cars.
GM DID NOT MAKE JACKS.
Many of the accessories were not made by GM. That is why they are called "Chevrolet Approved Accessories"
Radios and heaters were made by GM divisions but mirrors, vent shades, lighters, and wheel trim were made by outside manufactors (as an example)

Gene, I am guessing you mean oe jacks, the Saginaw Steering Gear Division of GM did make jacks for United Motors Service a division of GM.

I have one and they are very good bumper jacks.

Dave

My older brother happened to be the poster child for them due only to the fact my dad was not watching him.

Yes, that would be the production ratcheting jack. There will be a W on the side of the ratcheting part.

The jack advertised/pictured is a screw type jack. I never saw it advertised as being a Chevrolet accessory.

Gene convinced me this jack was the real mccoy.

I ran it to $255.00 and didn't meet reserve. About my limit as to what it was worth to me. For show It may even have to be repainted. Not worth the price and trouble. At least to me.

Wonder what the reserve was. Maybe it will be listed again and one of you will find out for those of us interested in that.. About $500.00 would be my guess.

Maybe I'll come across one at Carlisle or Hershey. If anyone comes across one let me know. I'll be at NRI 77-81.

Best,

Charlie

BTW: Chip, if you see one come by and let me know. Just let me know. No need to hang around annoying me as you usually do.

The eBay jack is not NOS in my humble opinion. Here's my reasoning for when restoring a vertical jack you have three options:

A) If the post is decent leave it as is. Sometimes I'll tape up the post and only paint the mechanical parts and the base.

B) If the post is discolored or rusty then I media blast everything and paint the post a silver heavy duty paint that I buy from Lowes. The mechanical parts are painted to match original colors usually grey or black.

C) Full resto would require removing the mechanical part ( very very very difficult ) and sending the post off for cadinium plating and that cost money in shipping and the plating. ( putting back together again very very difficult with those pinched metal tabs needing re-fabbed )

On a good note the ebay jack in what I see is a very good restoration. In 10 plus years of watching ebay auctions I've seen maybe one jack where someone took the time and money to cad plate the post. Everyone else paints the post. Which sorta stinks because once the jack accidentally slides down the pole the first time then the paint is muffled up real quick. This is why I prefer to sell jacks with the post left in it's original state.

- Ramblin Randy

RR,

Interesting post. Excellent information.

To me having an original, excellent condition (as you described), bumper jack in the trunk is not worth the price. I doubt it would add anything but surely likely to subtract anything when a car is shown. If it did offer some points value then I would be more interested.

Best,

Charlie

BTW: Please do not take my comment as degrading your restored jacks. Owing to your explanation of the difficulty of restoring one, I think you must do an excellent job and that they are worth every penny.

Hi Charlie,

Cost is calculated sometimes in how long it takes someone to find a particular jack. There is a 48-50 Packard Jack that is quite rare and someone a few years ago bid the jack to $2,000 on eBay, which means there was a back bidder too... whoa...! I've never seen this rare bird in person ( boy I do keep an eye out for it when I'm digging thru scrap piles at salvage yards and estate auctions LOL )

Would I pay that much money for a jack is a relative question. I drive a 1965 Rambler Classic Station Wagon that I paid a mere $100 for and took the time and care to get it running and back on the road. I have an unspoken rule, other than tires, I refuse to buy any parts for this car that are more than what I paid for the whole car. I waited a long long time to find spinner hubcaps, but the wait paid off I found a set for $40 from a fellow at a yardsale. I've never laid hands on a 1936 Chevrolet jack they are rare in the wild also, so I guess if someone wants one they can search a life time for it on foot or they can payout what some picker is seeking. Hey it's only paper right :)

For the win... in doing some reading here at the VCCACHAT late last night I see some owners buff the jack post instead of painting. I really like this idea, and will experiment with some clear coating to see how that works out.

IF YOU HAVE YOUR 1941 CONVERTIBLE JUDGED YOU WILL LOOSE POINTS IF THERE IS NO OR AN INCORRECT JACK.
The accessory friction jack shold be easier to find because it was used for several years and available as an aftermarket accessory jack for more makes of cars.

Since this post has found new life I will now post my concern with the Ebay jack.
I have seen several '41 jacks over the years. This is the one and only that has the slot in the base. All my experience was with a round dimple only with rounded end on shaft. The posted pictures are from Gene's old post about said jack and Charlie's old post. Just my $.02

VERY INTERESTING Never saw one like that either.

May have been a variation made for a different make of car?

Anyone with a friend owning a 41-42 Nash... My reference tells me the "I" post jack ( uses the base with a slot in it ) is also shared by the 41-42 Nash.

The big jack expert of our time was the late Mr Olsen and he notes that the "I" post jack ( uses the base with a slot in it ) is correct for 41-42 Chevrolet.

The pictured jack I'm providing was on my porch in the unknown pile and from research on the VCCACHAT it looks to be an accessory jack for the 1941 Chevrolet with a part number #98537. Am I correct ? Is this accessory jack also used in the 1942 or is it just a one year only accessory. Faded paint looks green am I close here ?

Too bad you were not here 3 1/2 years ago!

Don't know if you found these old post or not but you may want to read. Kind of hard to follow now since many of the pictures are now gone.
https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/340224/re-1947-bumper-jack.html#Post340224

https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/340450/47-48-jacks-part-2.html#Post340450

Now for your answer to the '41 jack. Yes the shaft is indeed A "I" beam shape, it is the bottom of the shaft and the base that is suspect. As I said it is the first and only one that I have ever seen like this for '41 Chevrolet. Don't know if the 1" square shaft started in '42 but for sure in "46/'47/?'48.


The jack you have is indeed the accessory friction type jack for '41 ('42 ?) . The same jack used through '48 with lifting head changes. Went from lifting by the bumper supports to the lifting by the actual bumper. It is believed they were painted green through '47. Black in '48.

Now to open the big can of worms. What does your notes say about the factory supplied '48 jack??? Do you have pictures???

I corresponded on several occasions with Mr. Larry Olson. Met him at the Iola Swap Meet about 30 years ago. I was researching Chevrolet jacks up to WWII era. With the help of a few others we concluded there were at least three versions of the '41 jack. The square tube, I-beam and round rod types were all included. It was GM policy to have at least two suppliers for parts and assemblies. That way a strike or plant fire or other catastrophe didn't shut down their plants. It also kept each supplier competing for lower cost, better quality, etc. It was common for factory supplied jacks to be painted black with cadmium or zinc plated shafts. Generally the green painted jacks were considered replacement or "after market" even though they were otherwise identical to the black painted ones.

Now, since Chipper has posted that there are at least three versions of the 41 jack, I have some questions:

a. Has anyone ever seen even one of those stinkin three plus bonfire 41 jacks?

b. If so, will some one post a picture of one of the three or more?

c. Was a jack an accessory in 41 cars?

d. Was a jack standard equipment in 41 cars.

e. If a jack was standard equipment in 41 cars, which one of the more than three was most issues and placed in the stinkin trunk?

f. Gene has said that without a jack, a car will automatically lose points if judged.

g. Do the judges all know when they are looking at a real mccoy 41 jack?

h. How many points off if there is no jack?

I. Was the bonfire 41 jack issued to earlier or later cars?

k. Who cares?

This here debate of 41 jacks is puzzling. Is too! I would like to see a picture of a real, bonfire 1941 Chevrolet jack and know for sure that it was the most popular one issued with the car. Would too!

I doubt I'll ever get a look at a 41 jack. I have one of the round ones and I have one of the ratchet types. Both are supposed to be 41 jacks but the likelihood of that being a fact is like snowballs in Hades.

Everybody keeps dancing around the issue and nobody will say for sure what is needed for people like me to rely on.

That one back there on ebay was probably a 41 jack but nobody during the bidding time ever said for sure that it was. What a mess.

If someone knows what a 41 issue jack is then I wish they would speak up. I want one.

Best,

Charlie

a. unless you were around in 1941 and looking at 1941 Chevrolet jacks supplied in all parts of the country would be difficult to determine

b.?

c.A jack was not an accessory. all cars came with aratcheting type bumper jack with the goofy friction available as an accessory. Back then the owner usuall removed the jack and kept in when car was traded in.

d.Jack (atcheting type) standard equipment.

e. sure no one knows

f.I dod not have a judging sheet handy to see points

g. The average judge will have no idea. If you are lucky (or unlucky) one of the team capitans or? MAY know what is correct.

I. probably used in 1942...not used in 1940 for sure.

As I mention before, the accessory friction type can be easier to find, worth less money, and will pass the judges.

Lets start with what Gene had with his back in the day This is the one I have seen the most. By the way, You have this jack!!!! You have the base that will work also!!! If good enough for Gene, this is the one YOU want!!! NOTE: see the round bottom of the shaft!!!





Now here is a '41 barn find from long ago. Look at what is in it!!!

Get the one you have fixed or find another like it. Again, I believe this is the one the factory supplied when sold new!!! No one will ever convince otherwise..

PS, Do you really believe Gene would have had it in his trunk if incorrect?????

PSS, K. I DO!

Oh my look what I went and done... have gone and restarted the "he said she said" history of Chevrolet bumper jacks...!

Yes Russell I read the links you provided, that one was like 16 pages long and I was up till 5am soaking in all the new info. I'm really enjoying the back and forth sharing of info... really. Very tired right now spent all day at a farm auction, did get a few jacks so I'm smile'n but very tired.

As to the base with the slot, it's a factory original setup. The 36-41 Packard used a near identical "I" beam jack with similar base and the base has a retangular hole that the jack mast fit into. Probably made by the same company, and notice how the years line up as similar. It's like this type of jack was the fashion for that time and place in auto history.