55-60 Corvette Lug Wrench?

[David L.]

Enclosed is a photo and drawing w/dimensions of what might be a 55-60 Corvette & Chevrolet lug wrench (GM # 3710686). Noland Adams 53-62 restoration book (pages 90 and 152) describes the 3710686 lug wrench as "17.64 inches long, four inches from bend to lug head: the heads diameter is 1.12 inches." He does not mention the angle or the diagonal dimension.

The lug wrench in my photo (3/4" hex, 1 1/8" lug head O.D.) matches up with these dimensions. There are no markings on the lug head. I have 85 other original lug wrenches that I have collected over the past 25 years. There are various forged markings on these lug wrenches: "O" (Otterburn), "U" (Universal Tool Co.),"E", "E" & "USA", "USA", "W" & "65", "USA", and some have no markings at all.

The Otterburn company was still in business as of the year 2000 as my 1998 S10 and 2000 Blazer each have lug wrenches with a forged "O" but the angle is about 103 degrees.

I would appreciate any comments.

Dave

[Bill M.]

Re: 55-60 Corvette Lug Wrench?

I would appreciate any comments.

David:

The original lug wrench for my '59 measures 15-1/4, 6-1/2, and 19-3/8 with an angle of 120*

I'm quite sure it's the original because the car was lightly rear-ended in 1960 (by a Buick!) When the repair to the rear body was painted, they must have left the lug wrench in the trunk. It still has remnants of white paint on the rear-facing surface of the wrench and on the bracket.

It appears to fit like the diagram on page 254 of Noland's book. The hex head is hanging over the trunk floor and it is long enough to go through the trunk divider (based on the bracket):

Bill

[Gary C.]

Re: 55-60 Corvette Lug Wrench?

Guys, search the forum, a lot of questions have been asked and answered already. Gary....

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?65451-1962-Jack-and-tools&p=383661#post383661

[David L.]

Re: 55-60 Corvette Lug Wrench?

Gary,

I have searched the forum and there is not much at all about the 55-60 lug wrenches (GM # 3710686). Bill is the only one that has provided dimensions of the lug wrench.

Dave

[David L.]

Re: 55-60 Corvette Lug Wrench?

Bill,

According to my notes dated 11/17/91 I found a lug wrench in a 59 Chevrolet (generator # 1102096, 9C14 or March 14, 1959) in a salvage yard with the following measurement: 15 1/4"+/-, 6 1/2"+/-, and 19 1/2"+/-. I did not measure the angle but with about the same dimensions as your lug wrench it must have been about 120 degrees. I must have sold it as it is not in my collection of over 80 lug wrenches. The drawing in Noland Adams book shows the lug head hanging over the edge just like your photos. Based on my 59 Chev. lug wrench I believe that your lug wrench is original as well.

During that same time period I found a lug wrench in a 60 Chevrolet (glass codes "YY" and "VY" or Oct. and Dec. 1959) that measures as follows: !6 1/2"+/-, 4 1/2"+/-, and 19 1/4"+/-. Apparently I sold it.

Thanks for the photos and dimensions.

Dave

[Gary C.]

Re: 55-60 Corvette Lug Wrench?

Dave,

Did you click on this link? https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthrea...661#post383661

Recommend reading the FAQ on how to use the boolean search function.

Gary
....

[David L.]

Re: 55-60 Corvette Lug Wrench?

Dave,

Did you click on this link? https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthrea...661#post383661

Recommend reading the FAQ on how to use the boolean search function.

Gary
....

Gary,

Yes I did. There is very little in that link about the lug wrench. Lug wrenches with the forged "O" (for Otterburn) are as common as bread and butter. My 1998 S10 and 2000 Blazer both have lug wrenches with the same forged "O" and I know that they are original equipment.
I will investigate the FAQ about the boolean search function.

Dave

[Gary C.]

Re: 55-60 Corvette Lug Wrench?

David, in that link I posted a blueprint of the lug wrench. What other information are you looking for? Gary....

[Gary C.]

Re: 55-60 Corvette Lug Wrench?

David, bend angle spec'd in the BP is 37 degrees =/-2 degrees. Gary....

[David L.]

Re: 55-60 Corvette Lug Wrench?

David, in that link I posted a blueprint of the lug wrench. What other information are you looking for? Gary....

Gary,

I guess that I am either too old or too much in a rush or maybe both. I saw the jack handle drawing but missed the lug wrench drawing. I now see the drawing of the 3692251 lug wrench for 53-54 Corvettes. From what I can read the dimensions are as follows:
4.000"
15.500"+/-0.250" (or 15.25" to 15.75")
C/L radius appears to be 1.250"+/-0.125" (or 1.125" to 1.375")
angle 37 degrees +/- 2 degrees making the total interior angle 127 degrees +/- 2 degrees (or 125 degrees to 129 degrees)
chisel length 1.250"-1.500"
Correct me if any of the dimensions are wrong.

Based on these dimensions and using some simple math the C/L diagonal would calculate as 17.85" (for 15.25" and 125 degrees) as a minimum and 18.53" (for 15.75" and 129 degrees) as a maximum.

In my collection of 80+ lug wrenches I have one lug wrench that measures close to the 3710686 drawing.
4 1/8"
15 9/16"
126 degrees
"curved" chisel end, length = 1 3/8" ( the "curve" may or may not be original)
forged "O" on lug head
diagonal measures 18 5/16" (or 18.31")
theoretical diagonal computes as 18.29"

Did the Otterburn company make 53-54 Corvette lug wrenches (forged "O" on lug head)?

Do you have a drawing for the 55-60 lug wrench (GM # 3710686)?

According to Chev. Parts History GM # 3692251 was replaced with GM # 3710686 in April 1955 for over the counter parts
and GM # 3710686 was replaced with GM # 3788336 (61-62 Corvette) in May 1961.

Thanks for waking me up.

Dave

[Gary C.]

Re: 55-60 Corvette Lug Wrench?

Dave,

Sorry didn't pay any attention to the BP# in the earlier post. 3710686 BP is attached.

Gary
....
3710686 Wheel Wrench Tire Iron 54-7 with dimensions (Small).jpg