Electric Trunk Latch for 1972 Cutlass
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 17
From: Collinsville, IL
Electric Trunk Latch for 1972 Cutlass
OK, I must be blind but I cannot find an electric trunk latch for my 1972 cutlass convertable. I can put in anything but I want to weld up the lock hole and have it only electric opening.
It has got to be common, anybody?
It has got to be common, anybody?
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,293
From: Palm Bay, FL
They are out there, you just have to find them. I got mine off ebay a couple years ago. I also had one on a 70 post car that I gave up with my 442 when I sold it (and now have back), but I didn't get the parts back when I got the car back. That's why I had to get it from ebay.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,798
From: Plano, TX
The factory power trunk latch actuator for these cars is very hard to find. The Parts place wanted 120 for a used one 2 years ago.
From what I had learned a while back, the 70-72 Olds A-body used a unique style and shared with only the Buick. Other body styles were all different. Through the years Chevelle owners wanted to add them, drying up the used market. They are not reproed.
Evil bay and maybe the Parts place are my only sources to suggest, unless maybe a bone yard that specializes in old cars. They will be high dollar though.
Since you are going the custom route anyway, perhaps a custom engineered mechanism is in order.
Also, I would not recommend eliminating the lock. I know it would look nice, but what if the electric one fails, or sticks, or jams? This happened with my 86 Olds - the solenoid just jammed solidly (not rust). It was a challenge just to get the key to open it, but it finally opened. I am still trying to fix it.
Perhaps you can leave the key lock and just hide it very well somehow. Just my 2c...
From what I had learned a while back, the 70-72 Olds A-body used a unique style and shared with only the Buick. Other body styles were all different. Through the years Chevelle owners wanted to add them, drying up the used market. They are not reproed.
Evil bay and maybe the Parts place are my only sources to suggest, unless maybe a bone yard that specializes in old cars. They will be high dollar though.
Since you are going the custom route anyway, perhaps a custom engineered mechanism is in order.
Also, I would not recommend eliminating the lock. I know it would look nice, but what if the electric one fails, or sticks, or jams? This happened with my 86 Olds - the solenoid just jammed solidly (not rust). It was a challenge just to get the key to open it, but it finally opened. I am still trying to fix it.
Perhaps you can leave the key lock and just hide it very well somehow. Just my 2c...
Last edited by Lady72nRob71; Jan 16, 2010 at 06:53 AM.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,293
From: Palm Bay, FL
Oldsdruid
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,617
From: Southside Vajenya
Check with a street rod vendor. They have all kinds of remote opening devices.
Hmm. Strange. I figured Chevelle and Skylark would have been the same since the 70-72 cars use the same decklid.
(Oops, just outed the Buick guys' secret, so they'll have to pay top-dollar for their decklids now just because it fits a stinkin' Chevelle!
)
I don't understand Chevrolet mentality about adding all these options that 1) the car did not come with and 2) are not at all typical of the way Chevrolets were equipped.
Hmm. Strange. I figured Chevelle and Skylark would have been the same since the 70-72 cars use the same decklid.
(Oops, just outed the Buick guys' secret, so they'll have to pay top-dollar for their decklids now just because it fits a stinkin' Chevelle!
)I don't understand Chevrolet mentality about adding all these options that 1) the car did not come with and 2) are not at all typical of the way Chevrolets were equipped.
Just an Olds Guy
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 24,528
From: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
The factory power trunk latch actuator for these cars is very hard to find. The Parts place wanted 120 for a used one 2 years ago.
From what I had learned a while back, the 70-72 Olds A-body used a unique style and shared with only the Buick. Other body styles were all different. Through the years Chevelle owners wanted to add them, drying up the used market. They are not reproed.
Evil bay and maybe the Parts place are my only sources to suggest, unless maybe a bone yard that specializes in old cars. They will be high dollar though.
Since you are going the custom route anyway, perhaps a custom engineered mechanism is in order.
Also, I would not recommend eliminating the lock. I know it would look nice, but what if the electric one fails, or sticks, or jams? This happened with my 86 Olds - the solenoid just jammed solidly (not rust). It was a challenge just to get the key to open it, but it finally opened. I am still trying to fix it.
Perhaps you can leave the key lock and just hide it very well somehow. Just my 2c...
From what I had learned a while back, the 70-72 Olds A-body used a unique style and shared with only the Buick. Other body styles were all different. Through the years Chevelle owners wanted to add them, drying up the used market. They are not reproed.
Evil bay and maybe the Parts place are my only sources to suggest, unless maybe a bone yard that specializes in old cars. They will be high dollar though.
Since you are going the custom route anyway, perhaps a custom engineered mechanism is in order.
Also, I would not recommend eliminating the lock. I know it would look nice, but what if the electric one fails, or sticks, or jams? This happened with my 86 Olds - the solenoid just jammed solidly (not rust). It was a challenge just to get the key to open it, but it finally opened. I am still trying to fix it.
Perhaps you can leave the key lock and just hide it very well somehow. Just my 2c...
On the other hand, rare? Not really. Pricey? depends on who you buy it from. There have been a whole whack of these for sale on ebay during the last 2 months. Prices have ranged from 45.00 - 177.00 for fully functional tested units complete with wiring and glove box escutcheon. The solenoid *round cylindrical* design for Olds is shared with buick, but other ones for chebby and poncho *flat style solenoid * will work just as good. You can also use the solenoid from the B Body cars with a minor adaptatation and it works really well. I got my P.Trunk release from evilbay 2 years ago. It's NOS Oldsmobile and only cost 25.00 + shipping. Just gotta shop around and watch for price opportunities.
Here's a link that shows the procedure quite nicely. http://www.buickperformance.com/pwrtrunk.htm
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,532
From: Chi-town
here is one for sale
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...nk-set-up.html
http://www.realoldspower.com/phpBB2/...472&highlight=
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...nk-set-up.html
http://www.realoldspower.com/phpBB2/...472&highlight=
Last edited by stevengerard; Jan 30, 2010 at 07:49 PM.
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