Scavenger prize

[Henry S.]

Out for a cruise Saturday me and the missus decided to stop at a local re-sale shop. In the "man aisle" I came across that ever present cardboard box full of open end wrenches marked 50 cents each. Digging around I found a treasure, a 1416 hardtop Vlcheck!!

[Stuart F.]

Re: Scavenger prize

Great find Henry. Congratulations.

Stu Fox

[Brian M.]

Re: Scavenger prize

Nice find, musta made the day.

[John D.]

Re: Scavenger prize

Should there be some identification markings on the flat between the two ends ?

[Jack J.]

Re: Scavenger prize

Please explain the significance of a "1416 hardtop Vicheck". Inquiring minds want to know.

[Henry S.]

Re: Scavenger prize

Nice find, musta made the day.

Brian, Yes it did!! Mrs. Shoot wasn't as excited, maybe she was trying to contain herself since the next day was our 39th anniversary!! I told her I'd wrap the wrench up for her present but she didn't see much humor in that......

[Henry S.]

Re: Scavenger prize

Please explain the significance of a "1416 hardtop Vicheck". Inquiring minds want to know.

Jack,
The 1416 made by Vlcheck was the 7/16"-1/2" open end wrench that came with midyears to use for putting the hardtop on and off.

John,
The flats are kind of worn, so I'll have to get out the cheater glasses to see. Even the ends are pretty light, you just can make out the "Made in U.S.A."

Does anyone know what the "37" on the shaft is? If I remember correctly other wrenches that have been posted in the past have a different number there so I thought maybe it was a mold ID or something.

[Alan S.]

Re: Scavenger prize

Hi Henry,
Since Mrs. Shoot has lived with the 'nut' but without the wrench all these years she's probably learned to work with the nut but no wrench and doesn't see the need at this point.
Regards,
Alan

[Henry S.]

Re: Scavenger prize

Hi Henry,
Since Mrs. Shoot has lived with the 'nut' but without the wrench all these years she's probably learned to work with the nut but no wrench and doesn't see the need at this point.
Regards,
Alan

Dang Alan, I never thought of it like that. She's always telling me she's the "brains" of this outfit!! She's been saying the last couple years she wants to start "uncluttering" around here, maybe the "nut" better start showing his value!!

[Jack H.]

Re: Scavenger prize

Please explain the significance of a "1416 hardtop Vicheck". Inquiring minds want to know.

VLCHECK is the name of at least ONE of the GM suppliers known to have provided the wrench packed with mid-year cars equipped with optional hardtop. They're also known to have supplied the similar wrench packed with Shark cars equipped with hardtops (different end sizes).

The '1416' emboss is thought to be a VLCHECK identifier for the part (may have been different numbers used depending on how a given wrench was packaged at VLCHECK--stand alone tool, part of a given wrench set, Etc.). Other marks may also appear designating the internal mfgr source for the part within VLCHECK (plant, line, forging sequence).

GM wasn't the only user of these parts. VLCHECK is known to have been one of the sucessful 'low bidders' to the US military. Tools used by the US Navy in the 60's were frequently seen to have the same/similar ID marks on them...

[John D.]

Re: Scavenger prize

Some more info on the hartop wrench........