Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Walker "ROLL-A-CAR" floor jack

Hi, guys. I’m brand new to this forum. Have acquired a Walker "ROLL-A-CAR" mechanical floor jack, patented Dec 6th 1922. Looking for any related literature: operator’s & service manual, and period ads. Especially need info that shows original color for my restoration project. Jack sat outside at old dealer long enough for surface rust to obscure all paint. I welcome direct email using postcard icon.

Many thanks for your help.
Dick

Dick ,I think Jim Treadway has something similiar to your jack give hime a call 1-810-434-8929 or jimtreadway@email.com He has a great looking jack thats for sure ,I hope this helps

Dick, I had one a few years ago that ended up at the AACA museum in Hershey. Try contacting them. I think it was dark blue. Ed

Great to have ANOTHER DICK on this site !
LOL

Chris: Thanks for the tip to contact Jim Treadway. I will follow through with that.
Many thanks. ~Dick

Ed: Interesting that your jack ended up in the AACA museum in Hershey. That’s the first place I contacted ! I’ve communicated with the museum curator & the AACA librarian. They’ve advised that the vast museum jack collection only has car jacks & no service station floor jacks. I’ve promised to send them a picture of my jack for their files once my cracked rib heals so I can move my jack out of storage for the photo. Not sure why they didn't recognized the name of my jack and connect it with the one you had. I'll keep in touch with the AACA folks when I send them a photo. Many thanks for you tip.
~Dick

Received your email while I was in Des Moines. You should have given me a few days to answer it.


Shot at 2007-08-05


Shot at 2007-08-05

Both pictures are from 1920. Not many ads were in color in 1920, so I can't supply the original color. If you are interested in purchasing these ads (I also have three more), email me.

Jack Sim
Author, Gas Pump Identification book and Air Meter Identification book
Need ads? www.petrolianacollectibles.com



[This message has been edited by Jack Sim (edited 08-05-2007).]

Further research indicates that Walker was still selling a jack called the "ROLL-A-CAR"
in 1937.


Shot at 2007-08-05

Jack Sim

Jack: Thanks for your informative replies. I supsected you'd be the main MAN who'd have info on this jack, given your vast collection and your foresite in preserving automotive literature that most folks ignored saving. I'll contact you directly concerning purchase of ads. Many, many thanks, Jack.

~Dick

Hi again guys. You’ve seen Jack’s black & white ads for the Walker “ROLL-A-CAR” floor jack and his comment that not many ads of this era were in color. Jack’s 1920 ads show the jack I have. So, I still need either documentation or a picture of someone’s original jack to determine original color scheme. AND, anyone know where one might get the great looking Walker ROLL-A-CAR decal that’s on the side of the jack? I suspect no one is reproducing these. Thanks to all you great fellow collectors on this forum. And my special thanks to Jack.

~Dick

So NOW nobody can ever say...

That JACK doesnt know JACK about JACKS...

Update for the record guys. My Walker ROLL-A-CAR jack with patent plate dated Dec 6th 1922 is not identical to the one shown in Jack’s 1920 ads. They probably made improvements and design changes for manufacturing cost reduction. Mine does not have the triangular shaped opening in the side rails just behind/below the pivot shaft of the lifting post/cap assy. My handle grip is also different; probably an improvement for the mechanic’s grip. Once my cracked rib has healed enough, I’ll move some junk & the jack to photograph it. Then I’ll post a picture or two. If and as I learn more about this jack, I’ll post more info for possible future use by other nuts like me. Thanks to all for your help so far. ~Dick

I’ve located some history on Walker jacks. The Economy Spring Company, incorporated in 1888, began operating in Racine, Wisconsin making springs for farm wagons. William A. Walker, along with his twin sons, Willard and Warren, gained controlling interest in Economy Spring in 1908. As a result of discussions between Willard Walker and John Dwight of the Mitchell Motor Company in 1912, a decision was made that Walker’s company would design and produce a “tire saver” for protecting tires on cars during storage over the Winter months. The “tire saver” was used at each of the 4 hubs. It later became better known as a "jack." The company's name was changed to Walker Manufacturing about 4 years later. Walker eventually produced hydraulic jacks for the automotive service market. In 1929 Walker purchased Ajax Auto Parts, which also manufactured auto jacks, and became one of the largest jack manufacturers in the USA. Walker started to diversify going into the depression, producing auto accessories including automobile "silencers" which became known as mufflers. And the famous lineage of Walker mufflers was born. It is said that 1 of every 4 mufflers sold worldwide is a Walker product. Apparently, the automotive jack division of Walker was bought by Lincoln in the 80s. Lincoln moved most of the operations to China in the late 90s. Lincoln sold their jack line to CLORE who sold it to the big Chinese maker, SHINN FU in 2003. In 2004 SHINN FU brought back the old prestigious HEIN-WERNER name (retired in the mid 90's) and began making the line in America again! These jacks are purely the American made LINCOLN jacks from the 90's. If a Walker jack is still being produced, I haven’t determined who is making it. I suspect this is more than most of you care to know about the Walker firm. ~Dick

Beside me in the garage here are two nearly NOS large Walker hydraulic jacks that were in both the Texaco bulk plant and station that my dad owned. He prided himself on keeping tools clean and they are mint. Both were made in the late 30's. The main carriage and hyydrualic lift are royal blue except for the pedestal that one would put under the axle - whatever. The pedestal and handle are "bumble bee" yellow. The inspection plate is white. I know they are not what you have but bet the colors are not far off. Nice find, we use them all the time with my car collection and a company in TN specializes in parts to rebuild the hydraulics on any Walker made. I will have to look back and see where I bought the kits.

I am 72, but if I had time I would post on my website:
Over 300 pictures of oil tankers from 1905 to ?
Over 100 jack from 1919 to ?
Over 150 uniforms worn by service station attendents.
Over 300 different containers used to measure product, or put on tankers.
Over 300 different battery chargers.
Over 500 different tires.
Over 200 different carburators.
Over 200 different automobile manufactures.
Over 200 different truck manufactures.
Over 100 different lights used to light the service station
Over 100 pieces of lubrication equipment.
Over 100 different valve grinders.
Over 200 different battery chargers.
Over 150 different spark plugs.
Over 100 different farm tractors.
Plus the 100s of ads and pieces of literature I have on oil companies.
Plus, 100s of ads I have on anything pertaining to service stations not mentioned above.
Plus publish a revison to my gas pump book and a revision to my air meter book.
I really don't know why I vented all this, but it is really just to let you all know what I have available.
Yes, I will admit this is my little way of making a little extra money at my age, but I can't sell anything if you don't ask.
Jack Sim
jhsim@swbell.net