What tool is this?

[Keith True]

I'm trying to figure out just what this old piece of equipment is.It came from an old garage,so we are just assuming it is auto related.It may not be at all.Everybody that looks at it says it looks automotive,so we tend to lean that way.It has a flip-up ramp in the rear,and looks like it flips up after a tire has driven up into it.It has wear on the sides like a tire would do,and the ramp has a bow in it like it has been driven on many times.It does not steer at all,so we don't think it is some kind of car skate.It has a hole in the front that looks like it has had a hook put in to drag it around.Lots of wear in that hole.It is marked,The CellO company,Boston Mass.I know there are tool websites that I could look at,but I have to jump through hoops to post on them.And,a lot of the names that show up there show up here too.We have been having a lot of guessing games in the garage trying to come up with what it is,but nothing positive yet.

[1930artdeco]

Either it is an auto dolly of swims kind or maybe a portable ramp?

[Bruce Lancaster]

It is simply a dolly allowing a car with a flat or something to be pushed around the garage. There were sronger versions with bigger wheels made for road use to tow in a damaged/crippled car.

[Keith True]

The only reason I'm not thinking it is not a car skate,or dolly,is that it does not steer.I put my A front wheel in it,and it will only go in a straight line.You cannot move the car one iota away from a straight line of travel.That hole in the front has had a lot of use,from some kind of leash that pulled it.

[d.j. moordigian]

Keith,

I believe it's mounting or dismounting large / heave wheels off trucks. Does this make
sense to you?.....

Dudley

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

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Originally Posted by d.j. moordigian

Keith,

I believe it's mounting or dismounting large / heave wheels off trucks. Does this make
sense to you?.....

Dudley

Mail me $5.00 & I'll say, "YES"
I'm collecting $$$$$$$'s to buy me a NEW scooter, so I can come HARASS YOU!
Willy Bill W.

[d.j. moordigian]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

Mail me $5.00 & I'll say, "YES"
I'm collecting $$$$$$$'s to buy me a NEW scooter, so I can come HARASS YOU!
Willy Bill W.

How about $50.00 too stay away?........................................lol

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Dudley,
For $2,100.00, I'll even stay offen' THE FORD BARN!
Po' Bill W.

[Keith True]

It is a neat looking piece.I have it sitting in front of my garage right now,so everybody stops and takes guesses as to just what it is.One old fellow just saw it,the first words out of his mouth were,where did you get the old car wash dolly?He said that when he was a kid he worked in an early automatic car wash.The cars would drive their front wheels onto these things,then they would pull the cars through with a winch that they cranked by hand.Then the cars would back out of them and the attendant would pull the dollys back by hand.He did say that the one he ran had steel wheels,and the owner had built the car wash himself using scrapyard components for most of it.

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by Keith True

It is a neat looking piece.I have it sitting in front of my garage right now,so everybody stops and takes guesses as to just what it is.One old fellow just saw it,the first words out of his mouth were,where did you get the old car wash dolly?He said that when he was a kid he worked in an early automatic car wash.The cars would drive their front wheels onto these things,then they would pull the cars through with a winch that they cranked by hand.Then the cars would back out of them and the attendant would pull the dollys back by hand.He did say that the one he ran had steel wheels,and the owner had built the car wash himself using scrapyard components for most of it.

good possibility, could it be motorcycle related in any way? (wild guess)

[fastroadster]

Maybe its a "Skateboard" proto-type.......... LOL

[DougVieyra]

You will find the answer to your puzzle on page 79 of the DYKE'S Automotive Manual, 1934 edition.

There it plainly states that the device you picture is an "Assist Guide" to help install the tiny screw that holds the Distributor's Condenser into the location at the bottom of the Distributor.

These unique Condenser Installation Tools at one time were found in almost all full-service auto repair facilities. Sadly, today they are mostly found only in the rear shed of Auto Electric Service Centers. Apparently they were found to be too bulky for all but the most nimble of fingers.

I myself have found difficulty in using this tool to help install the retaining screw that attaches the Condenser to the Distributor bottom.

- Doug Vieyra, Eureka Distributor, Cello Specialty Tool Company

[CA Victoria]

Maybe used to carry a heavier tool, I.e. Jack or lifting device? Any wear marks inside the tray?
I will show the picture to the guys over on the old tool website.