Ok let me see if I get the image thing right before I post my plans.
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Woohoo, the image worked.
Anyway I am working on fixing up my 71 cutlass. The trunk is where alot of rust is and I came up with the idea you see above. It is not quite to scale and may be a little off but hopefully you can get the basic idea. What I want to do is to add some storage compartments for tools and stuff. And I was thinking how nice some good wood work would look in the trunk.
Where you see yellow on the drawing above is what I thought of first. There is a little area behind the wheelwell that is basically wasted space. Especially the part that dips below the rest of the trunk floor. Granted it is not much space, but I thought I could put it to some positive use. I would use cardboard to make a template to transfer onto some wood and cut it out with my jigsaw. One thing I am wondering is what woods would look good? (say that five times fast) I have some pine and can stain it, but would some maple or other hardwood look a lot better stained? Also I was thinking maybe brass hardware for the hinges, handles, and latches. Or perhaps some chrome. The door would be L shaped. One concern is it is right next to the body so some sort of insulation or protection for both the tools and the exterior body would probably be a good idea, but it also has to not hold moisture. I was thinking maybe having the drivers, ratchets and other longer tools in holes in the base And then when the door opens up the sockets are on it. I am sure I could use some socket holders to keep the sockets in place, but I want something that'll really hold them and not look bad. It doesn't have to be show quality as I just don't have the skill or desire to do that right now, but I would want to show off my work.
Ok I have to replace the floor of the trunk in the wings where you see the red spots. And the trunk supports go down about 3-4 inches. SO I was thinking I could recover that space. Instead of welding a panel in the floor, I would do one outside the regular trunk and that would leave me with this little nook to work with. If I made the door the full length of the area between the wheel and the rear lights then it would not open straight up like I had hoped. I checked and the trunk is not deep enough so it will have to open to the side. I would do all the pieces in matching wood. And all the hinges and other hardware. I was thinking about sinking the handle and latch a little so there is less sticking out in the trunk. I just thought about using hidden hinges. Either that or have the hinges right up against the other tool box. It would make more sense to have it open that direction. I was thinking maybe putting a bottle jack and tire iron in one of these compartments. Maybe carpet the inside to match the trunk. Perhaps the same sort of padding I use on the other compartment.
On the trunk floor I am going to finish the rust conversion and then use rubber undercoating. Then eventually I will get some carpet over it. What would be a good carpet for use in a trunk. Preferably something cheap, help me out Halloweenking. I have seen some good indoor/outdoor carpet, but I don't know if I have ever seen it in black. As for padding the compartment near the outside, I wonder if the black tool box padding would be a good idea.
I am planning on doing both sides so it will match. I am just wondering what people think and looking for suggestions on materials. On concern I have is wood holding moisture near the body. Another concern is mounting the latches on the outer box. Would some sort of epoxy work either for the latches or mounting wood to mount the latches to? If I could just figure all this little stuff out, it could look great.
[ November 02, 2002: Message edited by: Wmarden ]</p>
Woohoo, the image worked.
Anyway I am working on fixing up my 71 cutlass. The trunk is where alot of rust is and I came up with the idea you see above. It is not quite to scale and may be a little off but hopefully you can get the basic idea. What I want to do is to add some storage compartments for tools and stuff. And I was thinking how nice some good wood work would look in the trunk.
Where you see yellow on the drawing above is what I thought of first. There is a little area behind the wheelwell that is basically wasted space. Especially the part that dips below the rest of the trunk floor. Granted it is not much space, but I thought I could put it to some positive use. I would use cardboard to make a template to transfer onto some wood and cut it out with my jigsaw. One thing I am wondering is what woods would look good? (say that five times fast) I have some pine and can stain it, but would some maple or other hardwood look a lot better stained? Also I was thinking maybe brass hardware for the hinges, handles, and latches. Or perhaps some chrome. The door would be L shaped. One concern is it is right next to the body so some sort of insulation or protection for both the tools and the exterior body would probably be a good idea, but it also has to not hold moisture. I was thinking maybe having the drivers, ratchets and other longer tools in holes in the base And then when the door opens up the sockets are on it. I am sure I could use some socket holders to keep the sockets in place, but I want something that'll really hold them and not look bad. It doesn't have to be show quality as I just don't have the skill or desire to do that right now, but I would want to show off my work.
Ok I have to replace the floor of the trunk in the wings where you see the red spots. And the trunk supports go down about 3-4 inches. SO I was thinking I could recover that space. Instead of welding a panel in the floor, I would do one outside the regular trunk and that would leave me with this little nook to work with. If I made the door the full length of the area between the wheel and the rear lights then it would not open straight up like I had hoped. I checked and the trunk is not deep enough so it will have to open to the side. I would do all the pieces in matching wood. And all the hinges and other hardware. I was thinking about sinking the handle and latch a little so there is less sticking out in the trunk. I just thought about using hidden hinges. Either that or have the hinges right up against the other tool box. It would make more sense to have it open that direction. I was thinking maybe putting a bottle jack and tire iron in one of these compartments. Maybe carpet the inside to match the trunk. Perhaps the same sort of padding I use on the other compartment.
On the trunk floor I am going to finish the rust conversion and then use rubber undercoating. Then eventually I will get some carpet over it. What would be a good carpet for use in a trunk. Preferably something cheap, help me out Halloweenking. I have seen some good indoor/outdoor carpet, but I don't know if I have ever seen it in black. As for padding the compartment near the outside, I wonder if the black tool box padding would be a good idea.
I am planning on doing both sides so it will match. I am just wondering what people think and looking for suggestions on materials. On concern I have is wood holding moisture near the body. Another concern is mounting the latches on the outer box. Would some sort of epoxy work either for the latches or mounting wood to mount the latches to? If I could just figure all this little stuff out, it could look great.
[ November 02, 2002: Message edited by: Wmarden ]</p>
