Need help identifying this tool. (Better pics and info included)

[Scotty's 52 F3]

A friend of mine recently passed. His widow called and asked if I could help identify some of the stuff he has. This is one of them.

It looks like a type of spring compressor but I don't know what it would be for. He had a couple Model A's, a 37 Ford, a Model T at one time and a 1950 Bentley (or Rolls?)

The plates are 3/8" thick and the cups have an ID of 6". Fully extended is roughly 16". The shafts and all-thread is 1/2"

I don't know if the other tool in the pic is part of this tool group. Just thinking it might be, based on the color and both tools were stored together. No name, numbers or ID of any kind on them.

The cars are sold but there are some parts I'm going to try to help get to someone that can use them. I don't want to see them get trashed.

Trying to load more pics now.