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This thread is edited to include photos and 2 short videos.
The 2023 Corvette does not have a mechanical key entry for the rear trunk as did the 2020 -2022. Corvette engineers eliminated it. They did however allude to being able to open it the hatch should it fail and not respond to the key fob or door button indicating a failure in the electrical part of the latch mechanism but did not reveal how. Not sure the technicians have a simple way to open it, however that doesn’t do us owners any service should it fail on vacation or somewhere a Chevrolet service department isn’t readily available and the last thing we need is a hack job. Trunk access should never be an issue. So, upon observing this design inside the trunk bin, and some quick measurements, I concluded It could easily be opened mechanically by fabricating a simple inexpensive tool to push the emergency kiddie pull lever inside the trunk from an access hole. After removing the rear license plate and viewing the latch assembly inside the trunk bin, I saw where the lock assembly and hardware would have been installed in the trunk bin in the earlier C8 models. I then took a spring-loaded center punch and center punched the center of the location for use with a drill. I drilled a 1/8-inch pilot hole then used a ¾ inch hold saw and carefully drilled through the 1/8-inch composite bin, then determined the necessary angles to fabricate a tool. I actually made two tools. One from 1/16-inch X ½ inch wide aluminum flat bar. Thin is better as it is malleable and easily cold bent using sharp edge of a vice and small hammer close to the edge to form the bends and a protractor to establish the angles. I start with cutting a 9-inch piece from a 3 ft length of aluminum stock purchased at Home Depot. Extra is good should you need to start over and is available at Home Depot or Lowes. The other tool I made was from a Milwaukee hose pic that I modified but requires heat bending with an acetylene torch number 4 or 6 heating tip. More labor intense but both works perfectly. Much has been written on the Corvette Forum with several less than practical methods, however they would probably work. There may never be a trunk access problem, but a failure is always possible. I now keep my small tool in the glove box along with a screwdriver to remove the license plate. I also inserted a plastic plug into the access hole with a ¾ inch plastic plug acquired at Home Depot or Lowes that can be made tighter by prying the plastic tabs a bit. Easily removed by prying lightly with a pocket screwdriver.
When using the tool, I insert it into the hole as shown in photos, with trunk open use a flashlight to look downward into the latch mechanism while turning the tool clockwise a few times and you can see where the end of the tool engages the emergency pull lever. Takes some practice. You can also use the kiddie pull to also see the mechanism move. Once you see where the tool engages the lever, turn it back and forth to get a feel for the spring-loaded lever tension being pushed by viewing the latch move back and forth, at that point, put a mark on the tool, I used a sharpie, at the entry hole to reference it for future use. Now close the trunk and push lightly down, not hard on the trunk with left hand to ease up on the latch bar force. Pushing down hard will make it difficult to turn the tool. Now turn the tool clockwise back and forth until you feel the lever move back and forth. When you feel the movement back and forth, then turn the tool holding the bottom of it while still pushing lightly downward on the trunk and it pops open as viewed in the attached video. with a little practice, works every time.
When installing the plastic plug, I push a little cotton in between the bin hole and the bumper space so the plug will not fall through the space between them. Then just pull out the cotton after plug is in place. The aluminum tool can easily be tweaked by hand a bit if necessary to insure proper engagement. I would attempt this only if you have confidence in your mechanical ability. If not, don’t do it unless you have an accomplice that is knowledgeable and confident. Links to video here:
Last edited by chasapollo; Aug 10, 2025 at 12:35 PM.
Reason: Photos and video added
Are you on a PC or phone? If a phone, try a computer. Can also be a browser issue. Try a different browser. When i click the link Google Drive opens and all the photos and 2 videos function. One other member had no issue. Link to my drive. https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...lW?usp=sharing
Are you on a PC or phone? If a phone, try a computer. Can also be a browser issue. Try a different browser. When i click the link Google Drive opens and all the photos and 2 videos function. One other member had no issue. Link to my drive. https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...lW?usp=sharing
Good to hear. I can also post the videos to YouTube if it becomes a problem with others who may be interested. Some folks have video players that may not open MP4 files.
Would be much easier for forum members if you add photos to your post instead of making us download them from Drive. You could also upload the videos to YouTube and post those in the thread.
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
2023 C8 Emergency Trunk Access
