Working on the trunk latch, it's clear to me that something has gone missing and I am hoping for some pictures or drawings so I can try to reproduce it. There is nothing for the lock rod to engage, there is some kind of striker that disengages the locking mechanism. I suspect that it is simple, but without any idea at all where to start, I am at a huge disadvantage. I don't know how much these pictures will help, but hopefully this looks familiar to someone. Thanks for any input.

 

I know the Corvette trunk latch is not shared with other GM cars but, you might by able to rob the guts out of a '53 or'54 Chevy car and make yours work. I remember they were similar but not exact.
Mike

 

I appreciate the suggestion Mike, some of those popped up during my search. The problem is, without any real idea of what I am looking for, I don't know what is ripe for cannibalizing and what isn't. To boot, the prices for complete latch systems is pretty steep even for the non-Corvette versions--with this being an invisible part, I am more inclined to create than to modify, I just need a starting point. Thanks though.

 

I believe the main portion that you are missing is the barrel that the rod goes through running from the back of the key cylinder to the latch. When the key is turned, it turns the barrel and triggers the latch release. This part might be common on lots of GM cars.

 

If Chris Sherman sees this post, he will have your answer. If not, you may consider sending him an email...again, he will have your answer.

 

The 53 54 55 trunk latch is unique to only Corvettes
Yours is missing the part in the middle - which looks like ramp with a slot in the middle
Did you have the latch zinc plated? - If so the part did not survive the plating process -
No one repros the part that I know of
Sorry

 

Here are a few photos of a 54 corvette trunk latch. The piece you’re missing is cylinder-shaped with a curved extrusion that pushes up on the release mechanism as the key/rod is turned. The 54 passenger car version looks to be a similar design but the piece seems to be in a flipped orientation, not sure if it would function the same in the corvette latch.

 

yes the cam is missing
I have seen anyone make just the cam
Thanks for the photo !!