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| | | Forums66 Topics128,086 Posts1,056,098 Members48,434 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 9 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 9 | Hi, Does anybody know what a set of jumper / booster cables looked like in 1947 ? Would the cables be rubber covered with copper spring clamp ends ? Any help on the description would be appreciated. gill | | | | | Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 | Redryder pixMy HotrodA veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of "up to and including my life."I am fighting cancer and I am winning the fight | Pain is part of life; misery is an option. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 | I'm not sure jumper cables were commercially available in 1947. All I can remember during that era were home made cables. They would have been for 6 volt because that's what all light vehicles were. However, since almost all cars were manual transmissions then, push starting was the preferred way of starting was considered dangerous. Jump starting was considered dangerous because batteries were not sealed and hydrogen explosions were common.
Last edited by crenwelge; 03/01/2010 12:34 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,820 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,820 | I agree. Without a vehicle, just a couple of people pushing could start a car with a clutch "pop". With most cars and trucks having real bumpers, vehicle push starting was the way to go. Even as automatic transmissions came into being, a vehicle push was common, but at a faster speed. I honestly don't even remember jumper cables until the late 60's or early 70's.
Last edited by 6cylindersovertexas; 02/28/2010 8:52 PM.
"Truckin' Around .......... Since 1937!" My name is Joe and I am addicted to Classic Country Music. I just can't hep myself.Operators are standing by to take your calls! Now cruising in the Passing Lane | | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 2,201 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 2,201 | I thought it would be a really small needle.  | | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 273 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 273 | Even as automatic transmissions came into being, a vehicle push was common, but at a faster speed. You could push start an automatic at 30 MPH by dropping it into Lo, till around 1965. Then they did away with the tail pump, and jumper cables became common.
Last edited by Old 'Burb Lover; 03/01/2010 12:15 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 | Gill - the "copper spring clamp ends" you likely have in mind are welding ground clamps, you could use them to "fake it", but this style is about as "vintage" as you get, and you I doubt you'd find'em new now Bill | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 334 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2005 Posts: 334 | Gill, If you are looking to get some that would be appropriate for 6 volt, and copper clamps, they are available if you look online. Below is a link I found for some, and the clamps look a lot like the ones in squeeze's picture. They're 4 gauge - the ones for $86.00. Samantha Battery cables with copper clamps | | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 9 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 9 | Thanks for all the good information, it all makes perfect sense. Gill | | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 502 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 502 | Here is the closest thing I have found next to push starting Vintage jumper Cables | | |
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