Wow, just stumbled onto this thread,...car is an amazing find!
If not intended for a cranking handle I would surmise that the clips may have been added to secure a jacking handle as used with later era jack,
only guessing though....
idea
Please post more photos of this delightfully original survivor.


Bert & B1800
"Tis well enough to know how much to know; and when to know, not to know, too much."