Rumble seat conversion???

Fred K-OR

Fred K-OR

Well-known member
If a person has a standard business coupe with just a trunk and does not have a rumble seat in it, can it be converted to a rumble seat model? If so does anyone have a "guestimate" of what it may cost?
 
Fred K-OR said:
If a person has a standard business coupe with just a trunk and does not have a rumble seat in it, can it be converted to a rumble seat model? If so does anyone have a "guestimate" of what it may cost?
Click to expand...

fred,
yes,i have an estimate for you....$12K! seriously!!
i have a '29 coupe with a rumble seat that has NEVER been used... labarron bonney dressed! i don't like rumble seats and need a trunk, which is useful! MY opinion...too dangerous these days to allow people to be back there...not like ole days:eek:! so,if youve got a trunk...lets talk:D
 
Do not have one at this time but was thinking about getting a standard coupe and maybe adding a rumble seat. But your point about the dangers of a rumble seat with the grand kids in the back is something to consider. Also the trunk considerations is important if a person wants to take a trip and store stuff back there.

Thanks for the comments.
 
I changed my rumble to a trunk on my 31 coupe. I never used the rumble and I use the trunk all the time. I do plan to keep the rumble on my 30 roadster as I use it in parades and the dignitaries sit back there.
 
My car has a rumble seat and if I need the room, I'll leave the rumble cushions at home. I end up with the same space as a trunk and still have the option of the rumble seat.
 
The lid handle needs to be moved and D nuts installed so the cost of body work and finding the right paint. I guess the hole could be plugged. The curved inner panel will have to be painted along with the rumble seat riser re-enforcements. What is prep going to cost you, some guys can get it done cheap others pay a lot.

You need the rumble hinges. If it is an original lid then you need to find original hinges as the repros do not fit. Well the repro could be made to fit, but why? The originals fit in right and will just work. You will have to fight to get repro hinges to fit.

You will need seats and covering, rumble latch if 30-31, rumble latch catch, curved inner panel, the top shim things, rumble stops and braces, rubber bumpers, and side panels. These are all new from a catalog so you can get the price from your supplier.

Rumble seats

There are some variations depending on:

Year- some differences in lid and where things go.
Is there a repro lower rear panel- they are just built strange and will cause problems because they do not have the internal structure for a rear spare tire mount.
Is there a repro rumble lid or has it had a lot of repairs done on it?
Is the opening between the rumble lid and the lid even- the rumble lid works different with the hinge and if it is tight it might rub opening the rumble lid.

Anyway, just a few thoughts to get an idea.

You will also find an article on converting to a rumble with a complete parts list in the service bulletins.
 
Fred K-OR said:
Do not have one at this time but was thinking about getting a standard coupe and maybe adding a rumble seat. But your point about the dangers of a rumble seat with the grand kids in the back is something to consider. Also the trunk considerations is important if a person wants to take a trip and store stuff back there.

Thanks for the comments.
Click to expand...

fred, exactly..to transport stuff! thats why my rumble seat has never been sat on..been in the 'rafters'. storage is needed especially on a trip, on tour, to the store/whatever!
WHY all the rumble seats these days? back when, people had to transport stuff, so shouldnt there be more trunks than rumbles now. what the heck happened to all the trunk As:confused:
 
Thanks Kevin for the great comments. Just what I needed at this time to get my thinking started on this idea. Looks like it could take a bit of effort and expense but could be done.
 
I've had a roadster with RS for fifteen years. When I decided I wanted a car with windows, I looked until I found a coupe with a trunk. They're hard to find, as most have been converted to rumble seats. Some are now converting them back. If a rumble seat is important to you, my advice is to get a car that already has one. It will probably cost less in the long run, and you can check to be sure it fits and works right before purchasing.
 
Really only good for parades. You don't want people in a rumble while on the highway.
You're probably safer in a pepsi can.

B.G.
 
Our 68C Cabriolet has a rumble seat but I haven't had the cushions in for two yrs now. I quit showing it in the blue ribbon class, installed an overdrive & "B" motor. We have always driven it to the meets but now it's much more road worthy with the updates. Even if you use the rumble seat area with the cushions out it's not easy lifting a heavy tool kit in & out. It's hard to reach all the way to the front for storage with the rumble lid. When I restored our 29 rdstr. I converted it from a rumble seat to a trunk which is much more convenient for trips.
 
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