Rumble Seat Conversion Question

My3window

My3window

Senior Member
I have a 34 coupe that originally came with a trunk which I would like to convert to a rumble seat model. I have all the original parts for the rumble conversion except the sheet metal that fits in the inner lower rear section of the trunk opening.

I do have the inner pieces of sheet metal that were original to my car (with trunk). Can anyone tell me if the differences in the inner sheet metal Rumble seat version versus trunk version are so different that I will need to find parts or is there a way to convert? If I need to buy the sheet metal, is there a manufacturer of the pieces I'll need?

Thank you!
 
I converted my '32 roadster to a rumble seat years ago. Looking back I wish I had left it a rumble seat. No one uses the rumble seat (except for a few parades) and having a trunk is practical.

Charlie Stephens
 
I'm sure you are right from a utility stand point. Just thought I'd like to have a rumble seat as I've never had one before. Thought the grand kids might enjoy it for an occasional spin.

By the way, if any of you 33-34 rumble seat car owners have a few photos of what the inner sheet metal looks like, it would be hugely helpful to see some pictures. My email address is tmbelt@comcast.net.

Thank you!
 
When I got my roadster, with a trunk, my wife had to have a rumble seat. I reluctantly bought all the stuff to convert it including new Lebaron Bonney seats. Then I dragged my feet changing it over. Finally my kids told her that none of them intended to ride in it nor would they let their kids ride in it. I still have my trunk and it's great for traveling. Of course I took a bath on the resale of all the conversion pieces/parts.

Lee
 
If you are going to use car for overnight V-8 tours, etc. a rumble seat is a big pain when loading and unloading your luggage. I had 3 different cars with rumble seats and would never have one again. Besides who wants people climbing over your fenders and scuffing their feet on the body and fenders as they try to get into the rumble seat? If you ever need to sell a car, one with the trunk lid will sell a lot faster than one with a rumble seat. JMHO.
 
I changed my '33 5 window from trunk to rumble seat using all factory parts and wasn't too tough other than adding double sheet metal to where the hinges attach to the deck lid for strenth. The sheet metal for the trunk latch and support under get deleted. I did if for my kids who were quite disgusted when I bought the car, that they wouldn't all be able to ride in it. When I go on long trips, I take the seat bottom out to provide a little more storage room. My car is in storage at the moment or I'd take some pictures for you, but I may be able to scan some old pictures if you get stuck. Bill
 
I would think very long and carefully about converting your car from a trunk to a rumble seat.
I fostered the same thoughts for many years, over 35 to be exact. I had picked up a complete rumble seat assembly, deck lid, pivots, etc., out of a '36 coupe in 1961...
Each time I started the project, I would pause, thinking do I really want to cut the lower drip rail out of the body... My pause,... would usually result in putting the project off for awhile longer..
After about 35 years I put the whole assembly up for sale... Selling same to the first guy that met my price... I have never regretted it..
Several years ago I acquired a '39 conv. cpe, with a rumble seat... I do not keep the seats in the car because the space is more useful than the rumble.... How many people have ridden in the rumble during the past eight years.... Zero.
The location of the lock handle and steps tells the world the car has a rumble, which usually prompts the question.... Was a rumble seat really a good place to make out with a girl?:D
 
You will need the reinforcing plates for the hinges that are riveted on , the stop bumper brackets that are also riveted on & the dam that is screwed on . All is visible on this hulk . After removing the two rear panels for trunk cars your done back there . All this stuff is available . No I'm not going to give an opinion on the do or don't of this-it's your car .
My3window said:
I have a 34 coupe that originally came with a trunk which I would like to convert to a rumble seat model. I have all the original parts for the rumble conversion except the sheet metal that fits in the inner lower rear section of the trunk opening.

I do have the inner pieces of sheet metal that were original to my car (with trunk). Can anyone tell me if the differences in the inner sheet metal Rumble seat version versus trunk version are so different that I will need to find parts or is there a way to convert? If I need to buy the sheet metal, is there a manufacturer of the pieces I'll need?

Thank you!
Click to expand...
 

Attachments

  • SAM_0191.jpg
    SAM_0191.jpg
    114 KB · Views: 125
Last edited:
Thanks to all for your replies. I was surprised at the number of opinions I received about preferring trunks to rumble seats. Be that as it may, I've always wanted a rumble seat and we only live once - soooo....

Special thanks to Dave for sending me the photo and information. I'm still left with wondering about the water leakage that would occur in the gap between the lower rumble lid and the rear upper body panel. There must be a rubber seal/gasket that is attached to the rumble lid and closes against the inside of the body panel when the lid is shut? Any comments on this?

Thanks again for the help and advice!
 
If there is a seal at the bottom I don't know of it. I ended up leaving the floor in that area painted, put in a small drain hole and put in a 1/2" stainless angle sealed to the floor as flood protection and installed carpet up to and on the leg facing the carpet. I've had no issues at all and have driven hundreds of miles in pouring rain.
 
Actually the slightly bent up crosswise strip is all you get . It directs the water out the two holes . You do need to add the release & decklids are made very different for rumble cars with cutouts & inner bracings - D-nuts etc .
My3window said:
I'm still left with wondering about the water leakage that would occur in the gap between the lower rumble lid and the rear upper body panel. There must be a rubber seal/gasket that is attached to the rumble lid and closes against the inside of the body panel when the lid is shut? Any comments on this?

Thanks again for the help and advice!
Click to expand...
 
Not for nothing but................ Buy a fiberglass decklid. Make some top attachments so the lid is removable. Make a seat with a flip up back. Make the seat removable.

When you want a rumble, insert the seat. When you want a trunk just remove the seat and pop the lid on or reinstall the original deck lid.

This way you don't cut the original sheet metal and you won't have water leakng down into the tailpan.

Did this on my 36 - works great and I find that I don't know too many people young enough to climb in there and even fewer who can climb out.
OK for parades and such.
 
My 34 came with rumble seat and I love it, except now that it's been restored and carpeted there is no longer a drain hole so I have to keep it out of the rain, If I get cought in rain I have to cover lid with plastic or stuff towels down at bottom. Good luck but I would leave it as a trunk.
 
I've had several cars with rumbleseats and it never fails, someone just wants to sit back there. Without fail, they would drag their shoes across my shiney paint. Finally had a no shoe rule. Now I have cars with old worn out paint that I wouldn't mind it so much but they're all trunk cars. I personally prefer a trunk.

However, to each his own. There is no cutting involved in converting a '34 coupe from trunk to rumble. You do have to remove the two rear panels, as David J, said and showed, and you have to add the water dam and the hinge reinforcements and stops as well as the assist spring brackets which were originally riveted to the inner wheelhouse. You can rivet all that stuff in or bolt it in if you prefer. The holes should already be there for the reinforcements and the stops but you'll have to locate and drill the holes for the spring brackets. Up top, you'll have to add the catch for the remote latch and then add all of the remote latch hardware as well as the rubber bumper brackets in the corners of the top opening, those were also riveted in but could be bolted in. Since it's a remote latch, you won't have to drill a big hole for the latch at the top of the lid, but you'll be left with a big hole on the bottom when you remove the handle for the trunk latch.
 
Not sure how important originality is to you, but so far as I know no one is making the correct rubber floor mat for the rumble seat compartment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top