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

I'm using 2 sources....

A) Mr Olsen's notes. For 1948 he has the 46-48 friction jack listed Russell. It looks like that NOS blue painted friction jack I've seen posted here. Most times painted black and at times green.

B) 10+ years of ebay sales. Once or twice a month I will look over the completed auctions for odd ball jacks from orphan cars as well as any of the older jacks that are unique.

The best source is factory illustrations... followed by clubs sharing info and peeking into each others trunks.

( One more note on the "I" beam post with slotted base... I have a photo of a show car 1940 Oldsmobile that has a "I" post and slotted base. Seems pretty common for several different car makes.)

My 41 Jack

Happy Holidays,
Mike

That is an early version and the correct ACCESSORY FRICTION JACK for a 1941 with the original green paint visable.

If a jack came with the 41 car, than how in the world and why would there be an accessory one?

If the correct jack that was in the trunk got lost or or broke or loaned out to someone who never returns anything, not even books, why not go back to the dealer and get another from the parts department or order one.

Why buy an accessory jack that looks nothing like the original and looks like it will cause the car to fall on you whilst out with the family and you're trying to show them that you can put the spare on in 5 minutes? (See "A Christmas Story." Besides, very few understood the friction type or trusted them. They still don't. No teeth on the post. Nothing but magic.


I will continue to look for the one that was supplied by the factory for the car. Ratchet type. Wish me luck. I probably missed a nice one on eBay owing to all this confusion.

Best,

Charlie

BTW: Raised-bump reflectors on U.S. roads are called Botts' Dots. (Elbert Botts invented them.)

BTW2: (I can relate to this next one) Zappa's Law: there are two things on earth that are universal: hydrogen and stupidity.

The accessory friction jack was described as "No grease, gears, ratchets or cranks are used in this jack. It employs a new idea based on the cam and friction principle that makes it as easy to operate as aa hydraulic jack Because there is no need for any grease, this jack is very clean to handle."

In 1941 it was accessory number 985377 and retailied for $3.95.

In 1948 it was accessory # 986177 and $5.95

A new hydraulic accessory jack was available. #986141 and $15.00.
It is described as "For those who prefer a jack that operates even more smoothly than the one furnished with the car, a hydraulic bumper jack is now available. This light weight , cast aluminum unit is operated with a 15 inch lever, and easily raises the the car to the proper heigth for tire changing. Opening a valve on the jack housing lowers the car smoothly".

Through the years there was also a "replacement" jack sold, mainly for placing in a later model used car when the factory jack was missing.