I got the trunk lid latch mount roughed in for the roadster. I used bodyman in a can (long strand fibergl*** filler), and the new latch, covered with waxed masking tape to make the fillet. Tomorrow I’ll smooth it up with some filler, prime and paint it using the can of Testors blue enamel I used on the model I built if the ca a couple years ago. Close enough for the underside of the ‘gl*** deck lid. I’ll have to make a striker, the one that came with the latch won’t work with my car.
Looks like something I wouldn’t be showing the world, fairly competent body man fabricator could’ve done that in sheet metal…
Brian: Don't let the "nay sayers" upset you. What you did is just fine and dandy. Be sure and post photos when its finished and painted.
“…a fairly competent bodyman…”? That is about the most ignorant thing I’ve had anyone say about this, or any car I’ve built. Right up there with “I hope you didn’t put a Chevy motor in that thing”. And, “…did you buy that new?”. Since you felt compelled to show your ***, I’ll explain to you, like you’re a 5 year old, that this is, aside from being UNFINISHED, on the underside of the deck lid. On a car that’s fibergl*** bodied. I’m not the guy who puts the hood up, trunk up, doors open at a car show, with a model of the car on the air cleaner and a stuffed animal in the seat. It will be smoothed, finished and painted, and while it’s not in the original configuration, it will work just fine and look good. Good God man.
Unless someone was in the trunk, it’s not likely going to be where one’s head will hit it. I never planned to have a latch, the Austin Healey handle I mounted too close to edge of the lid, so wouldn’t work in the original spot, in between the inner and outer deck lid skins.
Anything that makes a car more useful is a win. I've liked this car since day one...it just keeps getting better!
Good on you! Solved the problem you previously posted about the AH handle being in the wrong place. “Necessity is the mother of invention.”
Thanks for the pics, I have that task to do on my gl*** '32 project. You can bet there will be longstrand filler used in the process.
I'm not a body man....I am a leg man.... my buddy has a '29 A that is a gl*** car and he ran the Texas Mile in it....first run....the trunk flew open...he exceeded the holding strength of the cabinet latch magnet when he hit 77 mph....good thing to have a secure trunk latch in my mind...I like it
I was looking at the large chunk of filler/gl*** whatever and didn’t notice that the deck was gl***, actually you need to be looking for it to see that it’s gl***. But I also fabricate in fibergl*** casting parts and lying then up with cloth and mat and other than fabricating in metals I stand by my statement..
Close enough. It’s almost Ford tractor blue, which might be closer than this. I’ll try a rattle can of that, and I struggled to get the striker positioned, tomorrow is another day.
The joys of having to get creative with 'gl***! I have a gl*** 32 roadster BTW. What you've done should latch OK but will the handle actually lock? Just in case you didn't realise, you have the newly installed mechanism the wrong way around. In stock form it goes between the skins with the round tower against the inside of the outer skin. The notch is for the engagement of the tang that comes out when the key is turned, locking it. I guess you could kind of replicate that action with the way you have it though. Just a square notch filed in the 'gl***. Might be strong enough? Otherwise a holed and notched steel plate ( sheetmetal) bonded to the inside might help, but the thickness of the 'gl*** skin might make that not possible. Like I said, the joys of it! But locking a roadster, what an oxy***** ! Chris
As a "competent body man fabricator" with 48 years under my Hat; I'd say that you done good Brian. Finish it and drive the Hell out of it. Have a Great Winter. VR&C.
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