How do you remove the Cutlass script emblem from the trunk lid without breaking it. I have a 72 fastback and when open the trunk lid and look from inside there are no holes to access nuts holding the emblem on. Is it just pushed onto the lid with some sort of ribbed post? If so, it seems it is not meant to come off without breaking the posts.

 

If you don't see studs and nuts holding the script on it's probably retained by barrel clips.

First put a couple thicknesses of masking tape all around the script to protect the paint. Then use a wide flat blade screwdriver or stiff putty knife to go under the edge of the script and gently pry it up and away from the sheetmetal till it comes off. You should be able to see where the studs are while you're prying. The barrel clip may come out with the script which is no biggie; simply push it back in when ready to reinstall the script.

 

They are held on by barrel clips.

If the paint is good and you don't want to damage that, do what rocketraider said and tape off around the area, but instead of using metal tools, use plastic trim tools. Less chance of marring and chipping paint.

Example in pic below. They're not expensive, but a re-paint is.

 

Thanks guys, I am not worried about the paint as I am disassembling for refurbishment. I started with a putty knife before I posted this question but stopped because I was worried about breaking the script. Sounds like I just need to keep working it off slowly. I can feel about three posts and will try to get a wider plastic putty knife under what i have raised so far.

 

Shoot some penetrating oil behind the emblem if you're worried about the studs breaking. They are pretty fragile. Could just be some rust build up that's making them hard to remove (on the barrel clips, not the pot metal emblem).

 

Got it! It took 3 putty knives, a flat screwdriver and penetrating oil.