Hi:

My '72 1.7L has a wire trunk release. This feeds to the engine compartment, and has a pull style release.

The original lock has been removed, and the hole covered by a 911-style reflector (stud mounted--fasteners inside).

How can I release latch w/o destroying reflector, or damaging/breaking something?

Any experience and ideas welcome!

Thanks

Jeff

 

There are at least two ways...but they both suck.

One is drilling a small hole thru your rear sheet metal, I think below where the lock cylinder normally would be. In your case this would also mean going thru the reflector. Then you insert a stiff wire, tiny screwdriver or whatnot to try to trip the latch.

Other way sucks even more...you get a bazillion different extensions and a wobble adapter on a ratchet, and reach in thru the targa latch holes in the engine firewall, and unbolt the latch/solenoid. Tricky but has been known to work for some guys.

BEFORE you do anything like this...try having a helper push down on the trunk lid while you operate the remote release. Sometimes things get misaligned or too loose/too tight and this is all that's needed to bust it free. BTDT

 

Why not go into the engine compartment and unbolt the forward hinges? Look under the leading edge of the rear deck lid, and find the hinges on the bulkhead between the engine compartment and the trunk. With them disconnected you may then lift the deck lid and gain access.
Another way is to access the trunk from underneath above the muffler (which must first be removed, of course). But this requires drilling a hole in you trunk which will need to be replaced later. Not the most desireable solution. <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

 

Thanks to you both.

I may try a combination of efforts. I unbolted hinges, but couldn't get to latch. I may be able to work from there with extensions/u-joints, however.

I also may try to Dremel the reflector in half, clean enough to maybe re-attach with adhesive, etc. Car has had extensive rust repair, so an extra hole drilled won't really matter.

I appreciate the thoughtful responses.

Jeff