1965 jack desired

[Ronald D.]

I am in need of a spare tire jack for my 1965 convertible. An outight purchase of an original jack is apparently very difficult and very expensive. So I am now tending to purchase a good reproduction with a preference for one that can actually be used in the time of need. Several outfits like Paragon say they will sell one but not to use it as the manufacturer says it is for display only...insanity! So, does anyone know of a good source of a good jack that will serve well when needed?

Also, if I reattack the task of getting an original jack will one from another year of C2 or C3 production work? EBay seems to offer used original C3 jacks at about the same price as a new reproduction.


Any assistance will be greatly appreciated. Cheers.

[Tom H.]

Re: 1965 jack desired

To answer one your questions............ Yes. A jack from other years will work and function fine. A correct jack will be a type 1 or 2 depending on your production date or VIN. They are pricey. If function is what you are after, look for a late 70's C3 jack. They are a bit longer than the one you need, but will work. it won't fit in your rear comartment quite right either. But it will jack up your car as designed.

Buy a good original C3 jack for function and a nice reproduction for show.

Of course an original correct jack is the best route, but sometimes it is hard to justify a big ticket item to just throw in the rear compartment.

[Ronald D.]

Re: 1965 jack desired

Tom, thanks for your excellent advice which explains what I have been experiencing.

If I can trouble you for one more answer... Will the late 70s C3 jack placed in the storage compartment allow the top compartment board to seat properly? If so, the C3 seems to be the ticket.

I notice your are in the Ohio area which is where my uncle cruised with my car years ago. It is now out here is Southern CA.

Cheers and thanks for your time. Ron

[Tom H.]

Re: 1965 jack desired

Hi Ron !!!

Yep, I think the C3 style with allow the board to fit, but the jack may have to somewhat be "standing" or cocked in the rear compartment. Maybe one of the others can chime in here to back me up for certain.

What part of Ohio did your car live ???

[Harry S.]

Re: 1965 jack desired

Ron, take a look at:

http://www.licorvette.com/ Look at parts 17-02A and/or 17-02B

Why not just get a C2 Reproduction and be done with it.

[Tom H.]

Re: 1965 jack desired

Hey Ron !!

Didn't want to give you a bad tip, so I went out and took the jack out of my 63 and my 71. The 71 jack will fit into the compartment just fine with the cover flat and in place. I pictured the two jacks side by side for you. The 71, C3 style is on the right. If you can read the tape measure, it measures nearly 17" long. A bit larget than the type 1 63 to 65 style on the left. Hope this helps.

Tom

[Don Z.]

Re: 1965 jack desired

Question:
Someone mentioned the reproduction jack. Will it pass flight judging??
OR will you loose only a point or two because it is of the general look alike but not original?? If you loose 2-3 points, then I'll stick with my 70's jack where I still only loose 2-3 points because of originality.
Thank You

[Harry S.]

Re: 1965 jack desired

I put an original Type I next to the LIC Type I and I can not see a difference. I've seen them go through Region Judging with no deducts.

Hopefully others will chime-in......

[Joe R.]

Re: 1965 jack desired

Harry,

You might want to check closely how the nut is attached to the worm and the print on the end of the rivets.

JR

[Raymond D.]

Re: 1965 jack desired

I had to use the jack from LIC on the road one day. Although I would not use it at home there was no problem lifting the car.

[Dick W.]

Re: 1965 jack desired

Several outfits like Paragon say they will sell one but not to use it as the manufacturer says it is for display only...insanity!

That disclaimer is a CYA from a liability standpoint. The repro jacks nor did the OEM jacks of that era meet current safety standards.

[Tom H.]

Re: 1965 jack desired

That disclaimer is a CYA from a liability standpoint. The repro jacks nor did the OEM jacks of that era meet current safety standards.

I agree !!!

[Ronald D.]

Re: 1965 jack desired

Great THANKS to Tom and all who advised on the issue of a reproduction or oversize C3 jack for my 1965. I believe the way forward is to purchase a reproduction jack and if anyone has a recommended source I would appreciate hearing of it.

Along the thread of discussion some folks had questions which I can answer. Tom, the car was originally purchased from Chevrolet Harpster, Inc. of Philipsburg, Penna. as a gift to my grandfather from one of his sons, my uncle. In about 1976 it passed to an uncle in Columus Ohio and lived there for ten years prior to my purchase. I am now the current custodian. As the car is a survivor and original, I was desiring to get the best advice from you all on how to replace the jack which was removed from the car by my grandfather as he thought it unsuited for his use and subsequently lost to history, or a swap meet somewhere. My decision to purchase a reproduction is, in balance, a tradeoff between originality and cost. I simply cannot justify paying somewhere north of $500 for an original era jack. My wife is very understanding of my hobby but ...

Harry suggested just getting a reproduction, end game. Yes, that is what I am thinking now. My original hesitation was the immediate legal dissertation I got from Paragon when I called to order a week ago. This gave me images of a shrapnel burst as the jack self-distructed under the load of lifting the car. As I drive this car for pleasure the need for its use would be real. I now believe a quality reproduction would be fine and in today's world even the original jack would suffer the same legal advisory. This brings me back to the request that if anyone knows of a quality source, please let me know. Harry, thanks for your suggestion.

Again, everyone thanks for the advice. You all have been fantastic and generous with your time in lending help.

Cheers, Ron

[Don Z.]

Re: 1965 jack desired

Thank You Harry for the comparison. I too may just go with the reproduction jack. I've viewed the jacks from Paragon,LI,& Zip. On their web sites they all look pretty much the same. The photo in LI looks the best and more like the original. Probably is just the photo.
The $$$ are about $15 apart + S/H although Paragon typically will offer NCRS a discount. I just don't like their disclaimer.
I can't imagine there are that many suppliers of the same jack..is there??

I too, along with Ron would like any quality source.
Appreciate any help.

[Joe R.]

Re: 1965 jack desired

There is only one manufacturer of reproduction jacks and it's here in the US of A. Bluejacket in Oklahoma makes the jacks and supplies them to all the vendors.

Doesn't matter who you get them from. They ALL have the disclaimer and a steel tube that keeps them from being used. That is until the steel tube is removed.

JR