Before you do anything desperate try removing the rear seat. If there is not room for even a skinny kid to wiggle inside and pop the latch there is one more possibility.

Borrow all the socket wrench extensions you can find and remove the bolts that hold the latch on. If this is not possible maybe you can reach the hinge bolts.

The pamphlet Matt contributed and Kev just put on site reminds me of the short movie that was made during development/release of torsion level. I don't know those particular circumstances or who currently owns the movie but undoubtedly others on site do. Sure wish the owner would make copies available for sale.

At any rate, several of us long time aficionados have undoubtedly seen it but you younger folks should make every attempt to do so. It was shown at the PAC national in Oakland many years ago when I saw it and the auditorium was almost in hysterics by the end..

It loses a lot in the translation but briefly, it started out with the cycle car which was William Allisons development vehicle. There's a brief history of design attempts and ends with fine cars A, B & C in a test. Cars were covered but one car was obviously a Cad by the fins, the other am not sure of and of course the Packard. Its been a lot of years and some of details are fuzzy but basically there is a railroad crossing in Detroit area that has apparently been the ruin of many a car unless they barely crawl over it. All of the cars in the test crossed at a very good speed and that's where the fun began. Something flew off one car, as it bounced several times and the driver was hanging on for dear life. Another went airborne came down hard bouncing and sparks flying but the Packard with TL went over, wheels bouncing madly but with barely a blip on the car itself. Now that is testing and I often wonder how today's cars with airbags etc would do.

Curses! I can't open my trunk (56 Caribbean). I suspect the little machine screw fell out that holds the link to the lock cylinder. The crest rotates normally, just doesn't release the lock. This is a convertible and it doesn't look to me like you can get into the trunk via the backseat, but I'd appreciate confirmation of that. Also any other ideas. At the moment the only idea I have is to drop the gas tank and cut a hole in the trunk floor to get access. I'm guessing that removing the license plate bracket and trying to carefully use something between the trunk lid and lower body riser is futile? Looking for someone who's been there, done that. Thanks.

I got my gas tank for my other convertible back yesterday. Now all I need is the Philister head screws to put the sending unit back in. They are on order from Fastenall. Should be here Monday. By then I should have the tank painted and waiting.
Faculty meetings started yesterday and students return Monday. So, my progress is going to slow down quite a bit.

Just wanted to say that I'm not having any trouble. In fact, I had thought on the old server, my slow downloads were due to my dialup. But, with the new server I get the pictures much faster. THANKS!!! for the great site and all of the hard work you put in.

Kev, not sure if the dealer directory was effected, but take a look at C.W. Upchurch and Co. It looks like the post is cut off. I noticed this on a few other dealer descriptions.

Jim

Looks like the fix you mentioned in the thread "new web server" fixed my thread as well. Boy, for a second I thought it was just me.

might take a day or two, but i will.

Mike,

Take a picture of the entire car, from the side, on level ground, so we can see the relationship between the front and back. That might us all understand what you are seeing.

the side hieght is 8 3/4 inch.

my driveway is extremely uneven, which makes getting the car level hard to do.