Technical Keeping rain water out of Model A trunk

Can anyone elaborate on how to keep a Model A trunk dry?

 

Suggestion #1: Don't put louvers in it.

 

Keep it indoors.

 

Ricky K has a legitimate question. I was wondering the same thing about my '32. What I'm going to do is to drill two holes in the bottom cross channel, weld nipples in the holes, and attach hoses that run down thru the floor pan. I'm going to seal all the gutter seams with that modern seam sealer stuff. Should keep it dry for the occasional wash after El Mirage.

JimSig

 

if you have a rumble seat, I don't think it is possible. If you have a trunk, then you need to build a lower rain gutter, and run some tubes in the corners thru it and out the bottom of the car. Use a foam seal around the opening to seal against the lid.

I did this on my '28, but I di not have any good photos of it to share.

 

Yeah,with a rumble seat I believe your outta luck,with a trunk you can drill holes in the channel in the latch panel and add a tube to drain the water. HRP

 

What they said^^^

I fabbed up some ends to extend and close off the side gutters, and fabbed up a shallow collection tray under the latch channel. I ran two drain tubes from the collection tray out through the floor. This took care of the water running down the side gutters.

Found some weather stripping from Steele that fit the inner lip of the top and side gutters that seals the lid against the gutter lip.

It stays bone dry, in the worst of storms. Put it to the test MANY times.

 

Thanks for the responses. HotrodA, I have a plan to do similar to what you've described, I wanted to see if others had come up with something I hadn't thought of for this problem. Thanks.

 

I was gonna say close the trunk lid before it rains

 

I run a rumble seat deck lid so I can have better access to the gas tanks. I talked to the old restorer guys about keeping water out and they said your out of luck. Just paint the splash panel real good and drill holes at the lowest point, Nipples and rubber tubes would help to drain.

 

RE the drain holes... make them twice as large as you think you need. Gary

 

When I wash my coupe I use narrow masking tape on the gap to keep the water out.
Just my two cents...

 

like to see pictures of this. Sounds good.

 

Based on hotrodA's input, I was able to make my Model A trunk fully waterproof. Took some doing, but by directing all water down into the latch channel and using holes drilled alongside the latch, I was able to install a small, narrow, rectangular funnel from Walmart under the latch channel holes which drains through a hole in the trunk floor to the ground.

I also went to great lengths the insure that the entire latch area was was sealed and moisture protected, starting with a heavy Rustoleum paint job, followed by using Peel and Seal and silicone to completely seal the trunk floor and under the latch channel, as a secondary to keep water in the latch channel, even though the latch channel was completely sealed and painted.

All the trunk wood and carpet had been damaged by water intrusion in the past over the years and I was determined not to let this happen again.

For coupe owners I think this is a simple solution that takes a little time but basically modernizes the drain system and eliminates water intrusion.

HotrodA, thanks for the idea, I hope others are able to use this approach too.