1965 Tricky Trunk Lock Proposition
I did not expect such a minor detail to mushroom into a project of sorts.
I pulled the trunk lock from my '65 Signet convertible to compare it with the '65 Formula S.
The Barracuda has a longer lever, the lever is secured with a rivet, and the lever has a "dogleg" bend where it attaches. To remove the lever, the rivet head(s) must be ground off.
The convertible has a shorter lever, the lever is straight but has two little legs on the bottom that hook with the spring to hold it in place, and no holes for a rivet to hinge onto.
The new lock (with keys) has no lever included with it, has no holes drilled for a rivet either, and has the same basic construction as the convertible lock with spring.
I could add a little length to the convertible lever and install it in the new lock for the Barracuda, but then I would be without a lever for the convertible lock.
I can fabricate another lever with the two tabs on the bottom to accommodate the spring retention feature and make it long enough to reach the trunk latch in the Barracuda. Bingo!
The only question I have is it appears the replacement spring has one less coil than the convertible spring.
Photo: bottom-Barracuda; middle-Signet; upper-purchased replacement.
I did not expect such a minor detail to mushroom into a project of sorts.
I pulled the trunk lock from my '65 Signet convertible to compare it with the '65 Formula S.
The Barracuda has a longer lever, the lever is secured with a rivet, and the lever has a "dogleg" bend where it attaches. To remove the lever, the rivet head(s) must be ground off.
The convertible has a shorter lever, the lever is straight but has two little legs on the bottom that hook with the spring to hold it in place, and no holes for a rivet to hinge onto.
The new lock (with keys) has no lever included with it, has no holes drilled for a rivet either, and has the same basic construction as the convertible lock with spring.
I could add a little length to the convertible lever and install it in the new lock for the Barracuda, but then I would be without a lever for the convertible lock.
I can fabricate another lever with the two tabs on the bottom to accommodate the spring retention feature and make it long enough to reach the trunk latch in the Barracuda. Bingo!
The only question I have is it appears the replacement spring has one less coil than the convertible spring.
Photo: bottom-Barracuda; middle-Signet; upper-purchased replacement.