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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / 1940 Ford convertible trunk lid

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Discussion Topic: 1940 Ford convertible trunk lid -- page: 1 2

Olyn

06-08-2012 @ 3:38 PM

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I have a 1940 Ford convertible that the trunk lid does not align with the bottom edge of the body. A previous owner had used 6-7 washers to hoist up the trunk latch so it will catch correctly. I have been told that a "Coupe" trunk lid is approx 1" shorter that that of a "Convertible" 1940 trunk lid. Thus a 1940 "Coupe" trunk lid is approx 1" short on a 1940 Convertible's trunk! Does anyone know if this is true and if so how can one remedy the situation w/o resorting to using washers and having the bottom edge of the trunk lid not align correctly and then the black insulation shows? Thank you!

This message was edited by Olyn on 6-8-12 @ 6:58 PM

kubes40

06-08-2012 @ 4:24 PM

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It is nearly impossible to allow any kind of worthy advice without knowing more about your particular circumstance. Picture(s) help a lot.
Many things could have happened through the past 70 years to your car.
Can you post a picture or two? That would get me and I am certain others to be able to help.
having to shim the latch as much as you describe tells me there are some major issues here. Coupe lids are not similar whatsoever to a convertible lid.

deuce_roadster

06-08-2012 @ 4:49 PM

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The convertible is the shorter trunk lid, and I'm sure it is more then 1 inch. The curvature is different too, you can't make a coupe one into a convertible lid for a number of reasons. Later tonight I will be at my shop where I have both a convert and a coupe and will measure them down the center of the lid and report what they are.

Olyn

06-08-2012 @ 6:43 PM

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Thank you I appreciate this. I also had ordered new trunk lid support arms from Bob Drake reproductions, and the ones per their catalog #27 for the 1940 convertible did not fit due to the incorrect top hindge where it bolts onto the body. So, I sent them back and ordered their 1941-48 sedan trunk lid support arms and they have the correct upper hindge bolt-ons. They work fine but I still am curious as to why the trunk lid itself is short. It was Bob Drake reproductions that suggested that the Coupe lid was a shorter version VS the lid for the convertible. Also, I know that the lower deck panel has been replaced - so possibly this is the problem. Who-ever replaced the lower deck panel did it too low?? Yet, I still do not make sense of the trunk lid support arms from Bob Drake not being correct for the 40 convertible as he is usually pretty accurate on what he provides.

Olyn

06-08-2012 @ 7:18 PM

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photos of this 1940 trunk lid arrangement, note the body work where the lower deck panel has been replaced at one time.

Olyn

06-08-2012 @ 7:20 PM

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here is another photo depicting the use of multiple washers to hike up the trunk latch.

supereal

06-08-2012 @ 7:33 PM

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Don't be surprised when ordered parts don't fit. I ordered a set of trunk hinges for my '47 convertible from Drake after being assured they were correct. When they came, the upper side of the hinges didn't resemble the originals and couldn't possibly fit, so I called them. They insisted that I didn't know what I was talking about, or I had a car that wasn't stock because "nobody else complained". I assured them I had done restoration for many years, but they said I was wrong. I ended up adapting the hinge parts because the old ones had been damaged. Ordinarily, the Drake people are helpful. Not that day. Nearly all convertible body parts are unique, I found, and having to remake supposedly correct parts isn't rare.

deuce_roadster

06-08-2012 @ 9:32 PM

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Ok, for the record, measuring from the top center of the decklids to the farthest part of the skin down the middle over the hole for the handle:

Convertible 42 3/4"

Coupe 49 3/4"

There really isn't any way to get them mixed up they are so vastly different.

If someone replaced the panel below the decklid improperly-it could certainly be your problem.

deuce_roadster

06-08-2012 @ 9:53 PM

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Now that I see your picture I think I can say for sure the panel below the decklid IS your problem. It is an older repro panel that is straight across the bottom between the bumper iron slots like a sedan one. On the coupe and convertible, it curves out in the center in a nice double curve, and you can finally get a properly shaped one. For a long time what you have was all that was available. Still, if carefully installed would work. I have done this operation myself with an old style panel such as yours. I hate to be a pessimist but I think you or someone who knows how to do it will need to grind out the bondo and cut that panel out and replace it with a new style one. Now is the time to fix it right. Not a huge job for someone experienced. Goood luck!

kubes40

06-09-2012 @ 5:51 AM

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Olyn,
Duece Roadster is right on with his advice.
It is obvious the trunk lid is correct. It is also obvious the tail pan panel had been replaced incorrectly. The tool tray boards visible in your photo are quite a ways too high compared to the top end of the panel. That's indicative of the panel being way too low.
I too suggest now is the time to cut that panel out and replace it in a correct fashion.

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