Ktholin

I'm repairing the upper trunk latch area that was damaged and poorly repaired on my 55 years ago. I've removed the fiberglass mat that was used to repair this area and separated a small fiberglass box which I refer to as the upper latch support from the trunk lid. (It was covered by fiberglass mat.)

1. How is this support supposed to be attached to the trunk lid? Mine was repaired with fiberglass mat, but it appears it was originally attached with screws or possibly rivets.

2. If screws or rivets, how many and in what locations? (pictures would be helpful).

2. There is what I call a notch visible from the license area. Mine was covered with bondo, so not evident below the license. Is this notch area supposed to be filled in or left visible as in the photo below?

I have attached two photos which I hope will illustrate my questions.

PS. The trunk latch support was literally filled with bondo and fiberglass and overlaid with woven mat and resin. I used a head gun (my new friend) to slowly separate the mat and bondo to salvage this piece. Worked great.

Fiberglass latch support on underside of trunk lid



"Notch" appearing in license area (Ignore hole in floor)

Chuck Gongloff

Some of these photos might help.

The small fiberglass box is called the desiccant box. Material placed in the box absorbs moisture, keeping the license lens from fogging up.

http://ckautollc.phanfare.com/493056...geID=116881256

Ktholin

Thanks, but the small box I was referring to is not the desiccant box. It is the piece to which the metal trunk latch is attached to. You can see it resting in place in the first photo I posted. Sorry my nomenclature wasn't clear.

54vetteguy

I am in the process of restoring an early 54 and familiar with the repair of the latch housing you are referring to. Mine was in pretty bad shape from the trunk being slammed down over the years but Brett Henderson (Vettedaddy) provided me with a replacement assembly he had fabricated from a mold he made. The unit was held in place by 4 body rivets not screws. I used rivets along with some Glasin to give it more strength when bonding to the trunk lid.

As far as the groved "valley" in the bottom of the license plate recess, you need to leave this intact since any moisture that gets into the closed license housing it will need to go somewhere so it runs out this recess and between a small elongated opening between the trunk skin and the trunk reinforcement. If you run a thin wire into the recess you will see. mine was filled with some debris which i cleared out.

Here is a photo of the latch reinforcement from Chuck's site.
http://ckautollc.phanfare.com/493056...geID=121032648

GREAT bunch of photos on the site that I have referred to time and time again. Very thankful he keeps them up for us to refer to.

John Lanning

Ktholin

Great explanation, thanks. Chuck's photos were just what I needed. You also cleared up the purpose of this recess. Of course the small opening in mine has been obliterated, so I'll have to figure a way to restore it.

I wonder if Brett Henderson has or could make a trunk latch housing for me? You can see mine is pretty bad shape.

Finally, is the Glasin you refer to similar to VPA. I've tried to Googl it, but couldn't find it. Thanks again.

Keith

csherman

Common repair
If the keys are missing or the latch wont open - alot people break the latch out of the bottom of the lis plate pocket.

- The latch is riveted and "glued" to the bottom of the lic plate pocket - 53 is different than 54 !!!! - the rivets orientation is different
- make sure the plate threads are good !!!!!!!!!!
- Keep the notch open - it is a drain - there is a slot on the edge of the trunk lid - it is supposed to drain water out of the lic plate - pocket - the slot looks like a slice....

Ktholin

John,

Any chance you have Brett Henderson's contact information? I was not able to find him using the member's search.

Thanks.