Trunk Opening

[Dan D.]

Does anyone have any experience or ideas on how to open the trunk when the key lock is broken? 1957 car.

Thanks,
Dan

[Mark E.]

Re: Trunk Opening

Ask a locksmith if he can pick it or (carefully) drill it out.

[Rod K.]

Re: Trunk Opening

What is broken? If the key itself is broken off in the lock cylinder (aligning the tumblers) you may be able to use a small flat blade screwdriver inserted into the key slot to rotate the lock to unlock it. I'd liberally lube it first & let it soak to insure it's free to turn.

[Richard M.]

Re: Trunk Opening

I once picked a original 1963 ignition switch lock(it had no key and bezel attached), using a tool I bought at a Ace Hardware. This one...

https://www.duluthtrading.com/lock-pick-tool-69090.html?cgid=gear-tools&pr_rd_page=12

[Dan D.]

Re: Trunk Opening

Thank You Mark, Rob and Rich. I appreciate your ideas.

However, I have to admit that I have not been transparent and rightness with you. I have been so upset and angry with myself all weekend that I just could not even think straight. Here is what happened.

My home sits up on a knoll with a 100 ft. long driveway that slopes down at a pretty good angle. Friday morning I backed the car out of the garage to take it out. I put it in neutral, set the emergency brake, and went inside to close the overhead door. When I came out the car was backing itself down the driveway. I ran after it but could not get to it. It veered off the driveway, onto the grass, cleaned out a cable TV pedestal box, and continued on until it hit a pine tree. The tree did not move, the car stopped. I heard the fiberglass crack (horrible sound).

I have done this maneuver several times in the past. Cars do not brake good in reverse. I always pull hard on the brake handle to make sure it is stable. Apparently I did not do it this time.

It hit the left side horizontal bumper and pushed the bumper back, along with much of the surround, and cracked the surround fiberglass down low. The deck lid was not touched, which is good. The deck lid is in perfect shape and probably original to the car. But I have a rather large gap now between the deck lid and the fiberglass surround.

This has jammed the latch, probably putting pressure between the latch and the strike. I could turn the key somewhat, but not enough to open it. I pushed on the lid while turning the key, but no joy, and I must have either broken the lock, or the rod that it turns, or something because now the key will turn it full rotation but it feels like it is turning nothing. The return spring is still intact - the key returns to its normal position. The lock and the tumblers were perfect before.

I have unbolted the bumper irons from the frame - two 5/16 bolts is all, hoping that would free up the surround some and maybe let it return towards its normal position. It did not - the surround still does not budge.

I have to get in the trunk, unbolt and remove the bumpers and see if there is any other damage in there. From the underside I do not see any damage to the frame or cross member, and there are no fiberglass cracks.

I have a new lock on order as I am going to have to drill it out. Could be difficult in order to not damage anything further. The eyebrow above the lock is perfect, and I will not touch it in any way.

Again, I apologize for not being honest with you. I just have been so upset with myself all weekend that I just could not even bring myself to talk about it.

I will let you know how I make out. I would think that the tumblers are hardened and everything else in there would try to catch on the drill and rotate the whole thing. Probably very risky.

Dan

[Steven B.]

Re: Trunk Opening

Dan, I am having trouble visualizinghow the lid meets the surround now. I had a stuck latch on my '57 in the mid 60's and used a thin piece of flat steel or AL and was able to maneuver it to push and it opened-not easy but it finally worked. Don't be embarrassed. I bet you never blew a fresh sbc in the garage and shot part of a piston out the exhaust! Fuudddgggeee as Ralphie would say. 😪

[Dan D.]

Re: Trunk Opening

Dan, I am having trouble visualizinghow the lid meets the surround now. I had a stuck latch on my '57 in the mid 60's and used a thin piece of flat steel or AL and was able to maneuver it to push and it opened-not easy but it finally worked. Don't be embarrassed. I bet you never blew a fresh sbc in the garage and shot part of a piston out the exhaust! Fuudddgggeee as Ralphie would say. 

Steve, that a excellent idea. I will try it. Photos attached show the damage.

Car Damage1.jpg
Car Damage2.jpg

Dan

[Richard M.]

Re: Trunk Opening

Dan, Sorry that happened. Glad no one got hurt as it rolled.

Question... Did you try pulling up on it when key turned? The latch body may be jambed on the catch bar. If you grab it on the left

Rich
PS For others... If it was 58-62 you could punch on the big emblem as it's a big hole under it. It has 3 studs on the bezel that are sometimes held with push nuts instead of the original special Palnuts.

[Dan D.]

Re: Trunk Opening

Thank You Rich.

Yes, I think it is jammed, but turning the key doesn't do anything. I think I broke it, trying to turn it. The key will rotate almost 180*, but doesn't do anything. It just freely turns is all. I don't think is is turning the rod.

I think I am going to have to drill it out, but I am afraid of damaging the fiberglass. The lid is perfect, so is the eyebrow.

I have a new lock on order, I was going to wait until I get it so I can see just how it is made. I'm afraid of the drill catching on something internally and trying to rotate the whole lock and sheer off a locating nub or something.

No one was in the car, so no one got hurt, I just stood there and watched it destroy itself is all.

Dan D.

[Kent S.]

Re: Trunk Opening

Dan, Sorry that happened. Glad no one got hurt as it rolled.

Question... Did you try pulling up on it when key turned? The latch body may be jambed on the catch bar. If you grab it on the left

Rich
PS For others... If it was 58-62 you could punch on the big emblem as it's a big hole under it. It has 3 studs on the bezel that are sometimes held with push nuts instead of the original special Palnuts.

If the key just spins I don't think it will do any good to push up or down on the lid. Just opened the trunk on my '57 to see if some ideas might come to mind - sorry none. First step will be drilling out the lock and see what might be done then.

[Dan D.]

Re: Trunk Opening

Thanks for checking Kent. I was hoping someone would check their 57 for me. I agree it will do no good to push it up and down.

I will try drilling it out when I get the new lock. It is in stock at CC. I just worry about damaging the glass on the lid is all. I guess easy does it - very carefully, so the drill does not try to grab and spin the Lock. Dremel tool may help also.

Dan

[Steven B.]

Re: Trunk Opening

Beautiful '57 Dan!!! Good Luck!!!

[Mark E.]

Re: Trunk Opening

Dan,

You and the car will be fine. You'll figure out how to open the trunk and the damage doesn't look bad at all.

In the 80s, I had a long steep driveway; at its bottom end was the top of an embankment that went down the hill even further. One time, after I got out of our '71 Cutlass convertible (with console and 4 speed!) to close the garage, it rolled down the drive and then down the embankment, going over a few boulders along the way. This required a tow truck for recovery. Luckily, the only real damage was a dent in the fuel tank (boulder strike) and rear bumper (from the tree impact that stopped the car).

After kicking myself in the a**, I had a garage door opener and some tall curbstones installed. I learned to never leave a manual transmission car in neutral without chocking the tires.

[Mike M.]

Re: Trunk Opening

start with a small drip bit then work your way up with bit sizes to reduce tendency to rotate entire lock with big drill bit. mike

[Joseph S.]

Re: Trunk Opening

Dan, It appears that there is a lot of pressure being applied inward by the bumpers. Have you tried to pull the bumpers back out with a come-along? This may free up your trunk latch. The latch is probably jammed on the striker. I don't think drilling your lock will help you.

Also, since the rear panel is already damaged, you might attempt to make a few cuts in it to relieve some pressure also.

Good luck with your repairs.