Convert Rumble Seat to Truck

[30spdstr]

I have a '30 Coupe with a rumble seat. Ive owned this car for six years. The seat has never been used. It looks pretty at shows but that's about it. I'd much rather have a conventional trunk. I'm not interested in a trunk hanging off the rear. I've searched the threads and the internet and not found a really good source for info on this conversion. How would you guys go about this conversion? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank, Randall

[WHN]

You might be more ahead in the long run selling you coupe and buying a new car done the way you want.

I think you will find that a rumble seat car will bring more than the same style car with a truck.

Enjoy.

[30spdstr]

That's what my wife said! ��

[Bob C]

I just did a quick search and found and found a few articles.

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=model+a+ru...on&t=h_&ia=web

[30Murray]

Steve Plucker has full instructions on his website. Look under "additional studies", I converted mine and found the biggest problem was fitting the hinges and the repro rear pan, which was too narrow. Vendors sell all the conversion parts.

[Aaron D.]

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I did a video when I converted mine. It may give you a little help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzp_tn8KKaQ
Aaron

[30spdstr]

Originally Posted by Bob C

I just did a quick search and found and found a few articles.

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=model+a+ru...on&t=h_&ia=web

Bob C - thanks for the search link. Looks like I’ve got some reading to do.

[30spdstr]

Originally Posted by 30Murray

Steve Plucker has full instructions on his website. Look under "additional studies", I converted mine and found the biggest problem was fitting the hinges and the repro rear pan, which was too narrow. Vendors sell all the conversion parts.

30Murray - I did a quick review of Steve Plucker’s article. Lots of info and photos. Thanks for the reply.

[30spdstr]

Originally Posted by Aaron D.

I did a video when I converted mine. It may give you a little help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzp_tn8KKaQ
Aaron

Aaron D. - thanks for the YouTube link.I’ve added your video to my watch list.

[McMimmcs]

You did mean convert to trunk not truck correct ?

[rotorwrench]

Changing affects the sheet metal in the inside rear and the deck lid. Welding the latch hole shut and cutting a new hole is complicated unless a person trades parts with an owner that wants an equal but opposite change for the same model range of car. It's easier to trade cars.

[TerryO]

A couple of guys I know simply removed the seat and now have a top loader trunk. Easy to return to rumble seat if desired.



TOB

[w.michael]

I do as TerryO says: take the seat cushions out of the rumble seat and use it for a trunk. I like Terry's description, "top loader trunk." You do need to add a panel (just a piece of plywood for example) to keep luggage from sliding to the back and blocking the lid from opening. When Daddy and I drove his coupe to the national meet in Williamsburg in 2007?, our ice chest slid to the back of the rumble compartment and blocked the rumble lid so we couldn't open it. It took quite a bit of maneuvering to get the lid open. We thought we were going to have to take the front seat out to unload the stuff! Driving fast forward and slamming on brakes several times did not work. I'm not sure how Daddy finally got it open.

No, a top loader is not the most convenient, but a regular trunk, with a rear spare tire, isn't very easy to access, either.

W. Michael

[TerryO]

Originally Posted by w.michael

I do as TerryO says: take the seat cushions out of the rumble seat and use it for a trunk. I like Terry's description, "top loader trunk." You do need to add a panel (just a piece of plywood for example) to keep luggage from sliding to the back and blocking the lid from opening. When Daddy and I drove his coupe to the national meet in Williamsburg in 2007?, our ice chest slid to the back of the rumble compartment and blocked the rumble lid so we couldn't open it. It took quite a bit of maneuvering to get the lid open. We thought we were going to have to take the front seat out to unload the stuff! Driving fast forward and slamming on brakes several times did not work. I'm not sure how Daddy finally got it open.

No, a top loader is not the most convenient, but a regular trunk, with a rear spare tire, isn't very easy to access, either.

W. Michael

I should have added that they had added a short piece of 2x4 to keep stuff from sliding two far back..


TOB

[30spdstr]

Originally Posted by McMimmcs

You did mean convert to trunk not truck correct ?

I sure did.

[30spdstr]

Originally Posted by TerryO

A couple of guys I know simply removed the seat and now have a top loader trunk. Easy to return to rumble seat if desired.



TOB

I've been using it as a top loader since I got it. I haven't taken the seats out though. After staying up late and gorging myself on the links, articles and video I've been provided, I'm seriously considering removing the seat and living with the top loader. Thanks for all the support.

[WHN]

Originally Posted by 30spdstr

I've been using it as a top loader since I got it. I haven't taken the seats out though. After staying up late and gorging myself on the links, articles and video I've been provided, I'm seriously considering removing the seat and living with the top loader. Thanks for all the support.

Take it from an “OLD” Model A guy.

Leaving it there is doing the right thing!

Haze Gray and Underway.

Enjoy.