convert 35 rumble to trunk process.

You will need the trunk hinges.The hardest parts to find is the gutter or have it fabricated.I've converted a 35 roadster and 36 5W to trunks from rumble seats.
 
Last edited:
This is not exactly an afternoon job. As mentioned, you will need the trunk hinge assemblies, latch and water gutter pieces (see pictures). As for the body metal what you will be doing is adding the darken area on the drawing. Once all this is done you will then need to fill the rumble handle hole and re-drill a new hole for the trunk handle. You can't reverse the rumble lid and have it become an instant trunk lid.

One more thing...If you are attempting to reverse a non-factory rumble seat conversion things could get more complicated depending on the skill and workmanship of the original conversion.

Tom
 

Attachments

  • $T2eC16J,!)kE9s4Z-5qPBR8JC-)6zg~~60_57.JPG
    $T2eC16J,!)kE9s4Z-5qPBR8JC-)6zg~~60_57.JPG
    80.7 KB · Views: 42
  • IM000572.JPG
    IM000572.JPG
    65 KB · Views: 45
  • IMG_0495.JPG
    IMG_0495.JPG
    50.1 KB · Views: 50
You may wish to consider an alternative that will result in most of the space that you are seeking with one heck of lot less effort and that is either replace your seat with one from a '36 whose seat back hinges at the top to provide access to the rear or convert your seat. You'll have the added bonus of the space being much more "reachable" than via the truck lid opening which is not exactly easily accessed by people of normal height and arm length.
 
I thought about just temporarily removing the cushions if/when I need more space in my original 35 RS coupe. What would be wrong with this approach? I don't like cutting, drilling and patching anything on my cars but don't mind making changes that can easily be put back to original.
 
John, I agree...I have removed the seat from my '32 5W on several ocassions to haul more "stuff!" Pat
 
Anyone have an extra set of the rumble lid side panel pivot brackets or know of a repro source? Not the big brackets that mount to the deck lid but the small ones that mount on the side panels.
The small ones seem to get lost with project cars or swap meet deck lids.
 
I converted my '32 roadster to a rumble seat when I restored it in the seventies. If I had it to do again I would leave it a trunk. I very seldom use the rumble seat and the trunk would have been nice. Be sure to think hard about this one. Been there, done that, wished that I hadn't.

Charlie Stephens
 
Anyone have an extra set of the rumble lid side panel pivot brackets or know of a repro source? Not the big brackets that mount to the deck lid but the small ones that mount on the side panels.
The small ones seem to get lost with project cars or swap meet deck lids.

The bearing block is the same for 1932 3 window and 1933-39 rumble hinges. We make the 32 3W and 39 Convertible hinges in aluminum and can sell the block separatly.

Wescotts Auto
1-800-523-6279
 
I thought about just temporarily removing the cushions if/when I need more space in my original 35 RS coupe. .

That is exactly what I do with my roadster whenever I travel on a road trip. If you don't need a lot of room , just pop out the lower cushion. Quick and easy
 
Back
Top