Are there specific differences for oval jacks ?

[my03yellowv]

I am in the market for a used jack for my 55 oval as mine is missing since I want to get the correct style what should I look for when purchasing one for my 55? Anyone got a jack for sale thats correct ?

[janerick3]

Jacks supplied by Bilstein between March 1952 and August 1958 have a cast hook on the side for lowering the jack, rather than the cast cup found on jacks supplied between September 1958 and late 1964 (early in 1965 model year).
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Thanks,
Jan K.

[Mike Att]

53-57 Bilstein Jack

57-65 Bilstein Jack

65-69 Bilstein Jack

[Schwing]

Question:
I recently picked up an original '57 jack as verified by this excellent post.
I painted the black and the blue but I was wondering if the steel post and spring,etc should be painted grey OR just keep a little oil on it with a natural steel finish. Let me know please.

[Suboval]

[demichel]

Since these jacks work on the friction system the only parts you will want to oil is the jacking mechanism. I wouldn't put oil on the post, just keep it clean!

[Suboval]

Put a light coat of WD40 on the post. Let it sit for a day and then wipe it off. It will protect the metal finish and the jack will work just fine.
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It all works on paper.

There's two things we learn from history:
1.) History repeats itself.
2.) We don't learn from history.

[Schwing]

Thanks guys decided not to paint the post, solid advice. Here it is all done:

And for anybody else out there looking for a 57-65 jack I just found this on ebay its really not a bad price. Usually the ones you find at a swap area are later model. And no I don't know the seller just sharing something I found.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...OTORS:1123

[Spanish Flea]

I'm a bit of a Jack-aphile like suboval. One, thing i wouldn't recommend using these jacks unless you are in a pinch. If your in the driveway use a proper jack. They don't call these widow makers for nothing.

BTW Schwing, nice job on the jack.

Spanish Flea
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Miami Vdubs
Alte Schule
Rare Vintage Air
"Mr. Ford, i don't think what we are being offered here is worth a damn!" - Ernest Breech (On buying VW, March 1948)

[79SuperVert]

True. First time I tried lowering the car with this jack it scared the crap out of me when it suddenly dropped an inch. I thought I had broken something.
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Central Jersey VW Society

Wanted: Art Collins VW (Savannah, Georgia) items - license plate surrounds and other items. Also ivory "AM", "FM" and "SW" buttons for a US Blaupunkt Frankfurt.

[Schwing]

[Nessy]

I appreciate that this is an old topic and that the OP has probably got a jack by now , but reading this thread this morning got me thinking about the 2 jacks that came with my Sept '53 oval and so I dug them out and had a look as I had no idea if either was original to the car.....
One is a 57-65 jack going by the pics above so is not the original, but the other, pictured here........

is also marked with the name VIGOT as well as BILSTEIN.

So, after a quick search on here for Vigot, up came this thread.......

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=246525&highlight=vigot

On page 2 is the info that 1953-55 jacks were marked Vigot and Bilstein , so mine is correct (and I presume original) for my oval.......

Hope this helps others in future after the same info!........


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1972 1302LS Convertible RHD

[Spanish Flea]

Nessy, that is correct for your car. The one you pictured is correct for '53-'55. But the same design was made with out the "Vigot" and that would be correct for '53-'57.

Spanish Flea
_________________
Miami Vdubs
Alte Schule
Rare Vintage Air
"Mr. Ford, i don't think what we are being offered here is worth a damn!" - Ernest Breech (On buying VW, March 1948)