1931 Ford, Trunk or Rumble???

T

tgreen03

Junior Member
I recently purchased a rough 1931 Ford coupe. It had a hasp for a lock on the trunk lid which has been removed. My question is, just what metal pieces are in the regular trunk versus the rumble. Mine has a curveted piece that bolts to a large angled pan. According to the part houses the large pan on the flor is in both the trunk cars and the rumble seat cars. Does anyone have a picture to show me just what I might have, thank you!
 
If it opens from the top and hinges on the bottom, it's a rumble lid. If it opens from the bottom and hinges at the top, it's a trunk.
If you could provide some photos, we could zero in on what you have.
 
Thanks for the reply Mike, not sure how to post pics yet, but will try. I am aware of the hinge location for trunk versus rumble, but I think this has been changed at some point. My main concern is the floor area due to the fact that I prefer a trunk. I didn't know if the base for the rumble seat is the same in both the trunk and rumble cars?
 
You should have this book:
TheCoupeBook.jpg
 
Both types use the riser type section over the rear axle for clearance of the cross member. The trunk has a relatively flat panel that connects on an angle between the rear vertical panel and the riser panel. They used a narrow trough to catch rain water that may come through the bottom lip of the trunk lid. Both types have the same water channels or gutters on the top and sides. They empty into the rear trough on the trunk types and the trough drains under the floor.

The rumble seat cars had to have a curved panel back there with bumpers to clear for the deck lid and to cushion it when the rumble is occupied. The curved panel acts as a scupper for rain water that can come in with deck lid closed. There are drain holes in the lowest part of the curve so the water can exit the body below the floor.

Ford made this stuff so it could be removed and replaced if changing configuration between trunk and rumble seat. The triangle braces on the lower rear of the rear quarters will fit trunk or curved panels.
 
I have had both have a 30 coup with a trunk now like the trunk much better you have to a midget or double jointed to get in the rumble seat my 2 cents
 
31a said:
I have had both have a 30 coup with a trunk now like the trunk much better you have to a midget or double jointed to get in the rumble seat my 2 cents
Click to expand...

One of our customers who was well over 6 foot and 200+ was able to get in and fit. :) Tight for sure, but he was able to do it.
 
Climbing into a rumble, for most of us is an exercise in contortion.

However, as a kid, hands down rumble seats were the coolest thing about the car and I think to younger newbies, they still are.

who needs storage when "cool" is the it word. Buy yourself a sedan! :)
 
My grandkids , now their kids ,(my great grandkids , ) love the rumble seat. It takes them to our favourite ice cream shop. It is about a half hour ride along a lake at slow speed with little traffic . The joy in those little and not so little faces is worth it .
Don
 
One of our customers who was well over 6 foot and 200+ was able to get in and fit. :) Tight for sure, but he was able to do it.
Click to expand...


I'm 6 foot and 200+ and my problem would start when I was ready to get out... :D :rolleyes:

TOB
 
My dad had a stories about rumble seats and dates and what happened under the blanket when he was a teenager. He did not go into details. But I got the impression it was fond memories.
 
If cargo is light I put it on the floor of the rumble seat. If it’s heavy or awkward (a case a water) I put it on the seat and drive with the rumble seat lid open. I don’t generally drive the roadster if rain is likely so the open lid isn’t a problem.
 
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