I'd like to know what some of you use on your shaved '40 coupe trunks. I have a cable routed through the lid and operating the stock latch at this time on my in-progress build, and while it does work OK, I'm looking for something better, preferably with the cable and/or electric latch mechanism located in the body, and not the lid. 'Preciate your input.
I don't think there are any just bolt in kits to do exactly what you want done. I've always hand built the mount and catch as needed after buying the electric part. Wrecking yards are full of factory stuff that are easily modified. The Wizzard
I think we used a cable release from an SUV to get something long enough. Mounted the catch in the tool tray recess and the striker on trunk lid. Not rocket science but it just takes time to get the locations right, having a buddy in the trunk to mark locations is the only way to do it. We added two simple gas struts to each side , best thing we did on our 37 as it opens so smooth and no more original stay not catching properly and smashing you on the head. Yes I know 40 has a more modern system.
Don Pilkenton, of the original Dons Hot Rod Parts in Germantown OH, used to market a nice bolt-in latch that was electric and/or cable operated. I installed one in my roadster many years ago and wanted to get one for the '40 but the present shop no longer offers it. I'll hit some local bone yards and try and come up with something similar. Thanks for the comments.
Came across this thread today and tried to contact Dons Hot Rod Parts...found they sold out to Legens Hot Rod Shop in Martin, Tennessee. They still have the latch and strut kits.
My '39 Ford coupe had the cable to the cab set up. A large cooler slid over the cable and i broke the latch mechanism back in around 1972. Still broke. On the other hand we used a junk yard electric tailgate or trunk release on the 1941 Ford and it works great. There are a million types on SUV's and others that can be adapted.
Here is the route that I have taken. Found this latch setup from Watsons Streetworks, kinda looks like a VW latch. The latch is operated by cable and/or electric actuator...I will be running both. The nice thing about this latch is that it will open when/if the cable breaks. I fabricated a new support bracket to mount the latch. Still in the process but here's how it looks now....
In my case, I wanted a remote latch for my '35 and didn't want to worry about a dead Battery to open, so I made some brackets to hold my Latch (and Poppers, as I wanted it to open an inch or so as I didn't want an outside handle)-I also used two Cables (in case one broke-one is inside the car, one under the back) it may not be the most elegant, but it works!
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