Only way to open from outside is to drill. Otherwise, you have to remove the back seat as SS327 said and unlatch from inside
In the auto factory we had long rods with a socket for reaching in and loosing the bolts. Latch went in several operations before the tumbler was installed. Often times the trunk lid got closed so we needed the long rod to open. Often the flat blade screwdriver would help.
We had a 54 that was loaded with tires and a transmission going to a swap meet ,something interfering with the trunk latch. Removed the back seat cut out the x member to wriggle through and then open the latch from the inside . No external damage.
@Fortunateson spray "electrical contact cleaner" into the tumblers. Once it has dried then a puff of graphite [skateboard lube] The "saw" the key back and forward [in and out] to loosen the tumblers. Then get a key and file it to make a "bump key" if you don't have the correct key. Most ******ed locks I have encountered are caused by DIYers "fixing" them with WD40 or CRC
I realized you said outside but... I had a similar situation where all non destructive tricks failed. My solution was pull the back seat top. Then with a few extensions together I was able to remove the latch from inside the car with no damage to any of the parts.
I had a broomstick with a screwdriver duct taped to it for this exact type of problem... well; for Ford products anyway, you can get a straight blade in the latch beside the lock extension.
one of Locksmith's many tools of choice. you file the key so all the tumblers are bottomed out . Then you insert the key and pull it out slightly Then you "bump" it with a screwdriver handle while holding torsion on the key Here is a high tech version using a rubber ring. [castration ring] You can see the technique at 3:25 mark I have very little difficulty breaking into cars. It is an occupational hazard from working on car dealerships. [and not damaging them]
Look up Lock Sport on You Tube. It is compe***ive lock picking. From there you will find videos teaching you how to pick locks and where to find the tools. I could never pick a lock before I watched them. I can tell you a Master Lock is no challenge anymore.
Does the lock rotate 360 degrees but not release the trunk? Try positioning the key at 180 degrees (the highest point on the latch pull) and pull up/jiggle the trunk lid. If you cannot get a grip on the lid edge, try using a plastic trim tool for leverage. I was able to get the trunk open on my ‘55 Mercury this way when the lock mechanism failed to release the latch. The problem with simply drilling out the tumbler is this will not release the latch. The tumbler has a tang which engages into a crank on the back of the lock retainer or a whole trim piece on the trunk lid. The crank pulls a rod that releases the latch. On my Mercury, the swedging that holds the crank to the back of the retainer loosened and allowed too much slop in the crank’s ability to pull the release rod fully. Re-peening the crank swedge fixed the problem. I know this info won’t open your trunk. But, it might help you understand what may have failed and help you get your trunk open.
Thst little tang broke on my 58 Fairlane. Had to pull the back seat to crawl in and pop the trunk. Can't find a new tang either...damn
Thanks for all the replies guys! I can’t physically bend enough right now to get into the car and manipulate from the rear seat back. Also it looks as though someone tried drilling the lock cylinder before. I may continue the drilling as I’m replacing the lock mechanism anyway. Or wait until I can maneuvered myself a bit better....
Stick a flathead screwdriver and twist. Either way it will break the lock and or dislodge the whole unit from the trunk hole and then you pull it out and use the flat head again to trip the lever. If you're customizing, you are shaving it anyhow.
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