Abstract: An in-ground mechanical vehicle lift apparatus including an outer cylinder and a support tube rigidly attached to the outer cylinder. A ram cylinder is located between the outer cylinder and support tube in telescoping relationship to the outer cylinder and the support tube. The drive motor is mounted to the ram cylinder and a drive screw is operably connected to the drive motor for engaging a nut rigidly attached to an upper end of the support tube. The drive screw is driven in rotation by the motor to cause the ram cylinder to move upwardly and downwardly relative to the outer cylinder, and a vehicle support portion is located on an upper end of the ram cylinder for engaging and supporting a vehicle. The lift apparatus is adapted to be installed as a replacement for an in-ground hydraulic lift system wherein the lift apparatus is of a compact design which will fit within an existing in-ground cylinder of the hydraulic system.