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Posted by: Morph914 Nov 20 2021, 02:16 PM

As I near the end of my restoration, I was just refitting the rear trunk lid back on the car. The fit seemed to be good, and as I brought it down it latched. When I tried to open it nothing happened. I figured it was in the locked position, but after turning the lock to the opposite position, it still would not open. I must have reversed the plunger or opening pin when I had it apart to clean.
Any ideas on how to get it opened would be appreciated.
Before I get the Dremel or drill out to do surgery, I’m hoping someone has a less invasive solution.

Thanks in advance,
John

Posted by: 914Sixer Nov 20 2021, 02:18 PM

Your going to have to go in the the engine compartment and remove the 4 trunk hing bolts.

Posted by: Morph914 Nov 20 2021, 02:46 PM

QUOTE(914Sixer @ Nov 20 2021, 03:18 PM)

Posted by: Shivers Nov 20 2021, 02:51 PM

Hi. I went out and looked. I can only see one way that no metal gets bent, that I would try. From the engine compartment, pop out the cup the front top latch goes into in the trunk. Get every ratchet extension you own and, one at a time send in a 10mm socket and as many extensions as it takes to un-bolt the tail light. I was able to put my arm through the tail light opening in the body and reach the two bolts that hold in the locking mechanism. Worth a try.

Posted by: potomacmidget Nov 20 2021, 03:03 PM

I feel for you....I did the exact same thing last year, after rebuilding the lock....I ended up drilling it out and buying a new one from a fellow forum member. When you get the new one remove the latch/assembly from the actual lid, then leave the lid up and reinstall and you can test it a few times to be confident, then reattach the lid portion. Good luck.

Posted by: emerygt350 Nov 20 2021, 04:00 PM

Well it's shot now. If you want I can come buy and haul it away for you.

Posted by: jagalyn Nov 20 2021, 04:44 PM

Nice looking car.

Posted by: SirAndy Nov 20 2021, 05:11 PM

Do a search here, the easiest way to do this is:

- Push both of the plastic cups that hold the targa top latches from the engine compartment side into the rear trunk
- Have a helper shine a flashlight through one of the holes and onto the back of the latch
- Get several long extensions for your ratchet wrench and put a 10mm nut on the end
- Slowly fiddle the extensions through the other hole until you can reach the back of the lock
- Remove the two to 10mm bolts
- Open trunk



PS: This might work better if you put a swivel at the end

Posted by: Morph914 Nov 20 2021, 05:12 PM

Thank you all for your comments, remarks, compliments, I’ll be looking at all these options.
I’ll let you know how it turns out.

Cheers,
John

Posted by: partwerks Nov 20 2021, 05:35 PM

Last time I had a issue like that, my lid didn't sit down quite right anway, and so made an advantage to lift up the corner of the lid, and I used a 5/16" rod, I believe, and was able to reach over, and force the plunger down to release it.

Posted by: bdstone914 Nov 20 2021, 07:50 PM

QUOTE(SirAndy @ Nov 20 2021, 05:11 PM)

Do a search here, the easiest way to do this is:

- Push both of the plastic cups that hold the targa top latches from the engine compartment side into the rear trunk
- Have a helper shine a flashlight through one of the holes and onto the back of the latch
- Get several long extensions for your ratchet wrench and put a 10mm nut on the end
- Slowly fiddle the extensions through the other hole until you can reach the back of the lock
- Remove the two to 10mm bolts
- Open trunk



PS: This might work better if you put a swivel at the end

Posted by: Morph914 Nov 20 2021, 08:57 PM

QUOTE(bdstone914 @ Nov 20 2021, 08:50 PM)

QUOTE(SirAndy @ Nov 20 2021, 05:11 PM)

Do a search here, the easiest way to do this is:

- Push both of the plastic cups that hold the targa top latches from the engine compartment side into the rear trunk
- Have a helper shine a flashlight through one of the holes and onto the back of the latch
- Get several long extensions for your ratchet wrench and put a 10mm nut on the end
- Slowly fiddle the extensions through the other hole until you can reach the back of the lock
- Remove the two to 10mm bolts
- Open trunk



PS: This might work better if you put a swivel at the end

@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=20326
Another member said go in thru the plastic cup holes and use a 2 iron to reach behind the latch and trip in catch.

Posted by: rhodyguy Nov 21 2021, 07:25 AM

Put some duct tape on the extension connections.

Posted by: rgalla9146 Nov 21 2021, 06:27 PM

The more extensions you use the more difficut it becomes to aim the swivel socket
to the two bolts.
Get three long (12" ?) 1/4' extensions and tape them at the joints as rhodguy said....
you don't want to have to fish them out if they detach.
3/8" tools are too heavy.
The trunk is empty ( ) right ?