maineolds

Hi friends. I found an old bumper jack that looks to be from the same era as my 1949 Olds 88. Without the owners manual I can’t say for sure what the original looked like. I don’t see any “slots” on my bumpers for the jack. Where were the “approved” jacking locations on these olds?

RetroRanger

I dontknow what your original jack looked like. That jack looks to be from a mid seventies gm.

if you didnt know the bumper style jacks can mar the chrome and bend the bumpers in some cases.

a good alternative for emergencies is a scissors style jack from a later model vehicle, i have one from a ranger that i keep w my 72 in case i get a flat. That style will jack from the frame. When im in the garage i use a hydraulic jack.

maineolds

Thanks for the reply. I agree with all you said. I still wonder if there was an intended jacking point. I don’t intend to use the jack, just like to know. Of course, one always hopes to not need the jack!
I’m really just assembling the jack for trunk decor. Anyone got a pic of the original style jack and how it site in the trunk?

oldcutlass

The original jack had a hook that matched the contour of and would slip under the bumper. Similar to this:

maineolds

That makes since. Thanks!

Tedd Thompson

I have the original jack for mine but I never use it for real just because of the bend/ scratch issue and it does have the curved foot that matches the bumper. It's in the trunk where it's suppose to be to be seen by the judge with a clip board. If I need to change a tire I also carry a little bottle jack in my tool sack which comes out at a show with the rest of the junk that does not need to be viewed..... Tedd

maineolds

tedd, can I bother you to show a pic of it in the trunk? Looking to see how it fits in.

ignachuck

Fusick sells a 1949 Olds Jack Instruction Trunk Decal. Does it help?

Tedd Thompson

I'll see if I have a picture, jack will be different than a regular 55 jack because it has to fit in a convertible trunk but other wise it's the same basic style... Tedd

maineolds

Thanks frank and Ted. Super help