58 trunk lid height & body panel fit adj

[Eric S.]

Re: C1 Trunk Fit

Hello All:
I have the hinges shimmed so back and front of trunk lid is even with body line. Both sides of trunk lid is 1/4 to 1/3 inch above the body line.

I believe I'm correct, that for only the top few corvette restoration shops in the mid-west or east cost can correct by breaking loose panels and shim up the upper body surround or install new one for better fit.

Question: Can I do the opposite: put new fiberglass material under the trunk lid to create new contour to match the body line?
To do this part of the original trunk lid on the side has to be cut off, after the new material has been added to the trunk lid.
Is this do-able?

Aloha,
Eric

[Richard M.]

Re: 58 trunk lid height & body panel fit adj

Erik,

It would be a great help to post some pictures of what you're describing. I think I understand what you're problem is. I have seen many '58-'60 trunk lids with poor fit, particularly the lower right side as it curves up towards the front.

Firstly, I'd never replace a rear surround to get a trunk lid to fit better. I'd work the lid.

I believe you're thinking about slicing open the under-lid reinforcements/rectangular frames on both sides,

PC170013.jpg


....then pulling the front and rear edges together on topside, or pushing apart the upper and lower if upside down(as pictured above), then fill in the slices with material(resin/mat), let cure, then you have a new contour.

Yes that is do-able. But you would have to get the proper contour by using the body as a guide. Or you could make a template of the body contour from plywood, then match the lid to that before filling the slices and curing. You'd also have to be careful you don't "overdo" it and crack the lid face. Because it's a '58 I'd also be concerned about the trunk spears fitting after repairs.

Rich

[Eric S.]

Re: 58 trunk lid height & body panel fit adj

Thank Rich,

I'll try to get some pictures soon.

If I send car to professional Corvette shops on the mainland, they can fix, but they tend to want paint off car. This means fix body panels and paint car. Cost would be very high (at least $20K) as compared to if I can fix myself here in Hawaii. Better to fix rather than go up to a C6 Corvette.

Aloha,
Eric

[David L.]

Re: 58 trunk lid height & body panel fit adj

CAN YOU PLAY WITH THE WEATHERSTRIP ? sometimes the simplest tweeks can make a big diff ????? ( I have used the NOS roll trunk strip and its jacked the trunk lid 1/2" HIGHER THAN IT SHOULD BE ? Just a thought

[Dan H.]

Re: 58 trunk lid height & body panel fit adj

Hi Eric, you mentioned earlier that you shimmed the trunk lid to fit the body? If so, they might be adding to your problem if not installed correctly. You should romove the trunk lid, remove the weather strip and any shims, reinstall and see how the fit really is. Order the thin wall tubing for 59 trunks from Corvette Rubber Co. and start from there. Should get in back in a much better fit.
Dan