I'm getting the rear license horseshoe bumperette replated because of small scratches from keys over the years and was wondering if anyone ever installed a solenoid release on a 61/62?

Corvette trunk mechanisms bear strong similarity to those used on other GM lines in the '50s. I'm sure many if not most parts would interchange.

High end GM cars from that era could be had with an electric release mechanism, essentially a standard trunk mechanism to which a solenoid had been added.

If you have any oldde tyme junque yarddes around you, scour them for one of these gadgets and transfer whatever it takes to make the solenoid work for you.

Jim

someone told me once-upon-a-time the specific year(s) and model (i think some camaros/firebirds) that will work. at the time, i did a google and ebay search and the ones that were available were quite pricey...

let us know if you find a reasonably priced mechanism
Bill

Bill (or anyone else with the battery in the trunk),

Our Dodge Magnum has a solenoid release, and the battery in the rear under the deck. Of course that works real well when the battery goes "belly up".

In this case, the battery was partially shorted, and would not allow the car to run on just the alternator (there is a jumper connection under the hood), so I needed to disconnect the battery.....

Dodge does include an inside mechanical release, but you must crawl through the car to get at it, IF YOU KNOW WHERE IT IS HIDDEN!!!!

John

Sounds like one of those "more trouble than its worth" deals to me.

Yep, like adding electronic fuel injection or AC...........

John

Your post brings back some memories of when we (hot rodders) used these back in the fifties and sixties on our cars after we nosed and decked them.

I haven't seen one since about 1966.

The low dollar ($) alternative for us poor folks was simply a metal flex cable, like a manual choke cable. It also worked well. Had one on my old Ford.

Larry

John & Frank
key lock still works with this mod...

Bill

That's what I was thinking.
Thanks for all the good input. I do have a friend with a customized 50 Ford coupe that has all doors and trunk with solenoids might get some info from him.

I've used the early Camaro switch. It's "almost" a direct fit. The latch and the screw holes are the same as your stock one. You have to cut a little of the fiberglass from the lock area, and it will bolt right in. It's kind of hard to find them, and they are a little expensive. The external locking assembly and rod will work the same. Here is one on Ebay right now http://www.ebay.com/itm/Power-Trunk-Release-NOS-Quality-67-68-69-70-71-72-Chevelle-Camaro-442-GTO-Buick-/131064820877?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ACamaro&hash=item1e8412748d&vxp=mtr
Mike Coletta

Thanks Mike, great information.

After Mikes information the early Camaro almost being a direct fit it looks like you can buy it new from Year One cheaper than used on ebay.
Although it says Firebird all F bodies share a lot of parts.

https://www.yearone.com/Product/1967-81-firebird/pwc72k

that latch looks like a redesigned part, it appears to only have 2 mounting holes (no picture of the backside); the corvette latch has 3 holes.

and, there are even more inexpensive ones like the year one on ebay you listed (if they don't jack-up the shipping...)
Bill

Bill, the third hole is right above the wire.

i see it now, thanks...

Bill

I can't imagine someone paying $280+ for a trunk release advertised as NOS, replated / painted silver with a new three and one half foot extension wire. Shill bidding at its greatest or someone with deep pockets. Salvage yards should have them for twenty five dollars or less. No matter how many holes the support has a bracket can be fabed to fit.
I think it is a great option but none of my coupes have a trunk .

I have a vaccume operated trunk release that came off a 65 Chevelle . I don't know what GM it was origonal for but it is a GM part.

Bill

I've lived all up and down the East Coast and the days of the salvage yard finds are nearly over in most places. There are a few operating junkyards around me now but none of them have cars older than the mid-80s.

If you do find anything they have been cannibalized or snapped up as swap meet sales fodder to the point of being a shell and anything of value is long gone. You might find some bit of treasure in a rare instance but these yard operators pay their mortgages off such items and they know the market worth and so your bargain price might not be such a deal once you derust, replate/repaint, lube and install an old used part. I did it aplenty during my Mustang era in the early '80s but no more.

Maybe its better in other parts of the country.

Most junkyards around here don't have anything in the way of old cars. We usually have some swap meets where you can sometimes find a few parts but still high dollar.
I think I'll just get the unit from Year One, seems like the best price and looks like it can be made to work.

let us/me know how it works; might be my next 'itch' to scratch...
Bill