[Terry M. Hunt]

This is the panel between the rear edge of the trunk lid and the well that the top lowers into. It is a double paneled piece with about a one inch space between the upper and lower sections of sheet metal. While lying in my trunk looking up at this panel from below, I discovered that there is a piece of tar paper like material with one edge captured between the rear edge where the upper and lower sections are joined. The material is not just laying loose in the void between the upper and lower sections. This material runs from left to right across the entire width of the inside of this filler panel. It looks identical to the stuff you see on the inside of quarter panels above the wheel housing.

This stuff looks like a perfect sponge to attract and retain moisture in this inaccessible area. Would love to know WTH is the reason for this being here?

I’m having a. #%€*! time digging all this crap out via a few half dollar size holes in the lower panel before using some Eastwood internal frame coating in the void between the upper and lower panels.

[squidtone]

Terry,
My convertible had the very same stuff in that void. I discovered it when coating all the metal up in there. I remember it being a little loose, and I pulled out as much as I could.
It seems like it was meant for noise absorption or something (?)
Well anyway, I pulled it out and I don't notice its absence being a problem!

[Terry M. Hunt]

Yes, I had guessed that maybe it was there to offset some harmonic that was generated within the trunk cavity when driving or something of this nature, so you may be right. Wonder how many of these filler panels rusted out over the years due to this design.