Re: 56 Patrician Rear Seat and Paint Questions

Posted by HH56 On 2022/3/14 13:13:30

If the suggestion to push down on the lid does not pop the latch it may be that the lever or link connecting the emblem you turn to the latch mechanism has broken or a clip holding the link has fallen off. Both have happened and many are familiar with the issue. If that is the case you will need to follow the other instructions on removing the seat cushion and back. Once those are out you will see the X brace and probably the back of the sheet of patterned cardboard that is the decorative trunk finish.

The cardboard will hopefully still be in good condition with no holes or splits but will most likely be very dry and brittle. It is held to the metal by a series of small metal fasteners which consist of a decorative head and two short barbed tangs which go thru the cardboard. The tangs grab in holes in the X brace and in the vertical metal across the top under the package shelf.

On the assumption the cardboard is still in good condition, to avoid damaging it be sure to take the time to properly squeeze the barbed ends of the fasteners together and push them thru the holes in the metal before just pushing on the cardboard.

Once the cardboard is off, providing nothing large is in the trunk that cannot be moved aside, it will be a matter of finding several long extensions for your ratchet and reaching in to remove the bolts holding the latch striker bar to the body.

It would be doubtful anyone would go to the extreme to paint inside the trunk if the car had a cheap paint job so you may also find your original paint color on the inside of the trunk lid or, if they did spray inside, under one of the lid hinges.