[Pecosbill]

So, I purchased a 36” ratchet extension and tried to get the latch to turn by attaching a screwdriver to the end of the extension, but no dice. I couldn’t see inside well enough to get a socket on the trunk latch clasp so I removed the back seat to give me more room. I still wasn’t able to climb in there but I did have more room to lean in further.

I then found out that the bolts holding the clasp on are 7/16”, not the 1/2” I had guessed. I was able to get a 7/16” socket on the two bolts and unscrewed them to where the clasp fell down into the trunk. So, I figured I was almost home and went outside the car and tried to lift the deck lid but no dice!! What the heck?? There shouldn’t be any hardware holding it since the latch was no longer connected to anything.

I got on one side of the back of the deck lid and got my fingers from both hands under the lip of the deck lid and tried to pull it open. No movement. I then, with my back facing the deck lid, got my fingers up under the deck lid edge and I then pushed upward with my legs. I felt it give a bit! I did that again then moved to the other side and did it there. Finally the lid gave way and opened up. Hooray!

But what did I find was holding it shut? It was the gasket around the edge of the trunk. It had deteriorated (even though it was brand new when I finished restoring the car about 12 years ago and was stuck fast to both the body and the deck lid. So much for that quality part! See the pics.

Anyway, thank you all for your help with this. It was perplexing, to say the least.