1940 LaSalle 52 Series CCP trunk detailing

[Fred Zwicker #23106]

Thanks for your usual in-depth comments Terry.

Imagine being a judge at a national event and having to make a call like this......

As I said previously, I played it safe in that my cover is removable at any time, as it just sits in place if desired, or can be left off.   

And for those members who have never enjoyed restoring a pre-war car and dealing with issues such as this, you should try it some time.  Terry and I have sure been there.

I plan to bring my '39 LaSalle convertible to the GN this summer in Columbus, and now am not sure whether to display it with cover or without.  Any ideas on this?

Either way, here are 3 more pictures of how it looks without the cover.   Makes a good place to display a fire extinguisher.


Fred

[Jeff Maltby 4194]

Here's my oem bracket/measurements from my 49 FB.

Not a clue if 49 is the same bracket as a 40 ? Click on pic to enlarge.

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Guys,
I'm talking only about the compartment at the rear of the trunk.

#1 1940 was the last year for them.
#2 ALL cars that had a compartment would have a cover. GM would never leave a big uncovered space.
#3 They "snap" in place just like Freds picture shows.
#4 They were never hinged.
#5 They WERE different on a side mounted car. The "cut out" for the spare tire clamp would not be there as there was no spare in the trunk. Reference: the 1940 Cadillac 62 conv. with side mounts I owned for years.
#6 The reason some cars  don't have the cover is obvious. It's just another item that got "lost" over the years. If I was judging at a show, I would deduct points if it was not there.
I hope this answers everyones questions.
Bob

[Terry Wenger]

As I said before, the pictures that Fred Zwicker sent in showed what appeared to be a hinge arrangement and stops for the lid. I have seen plenty of cars that did not have these pieces welded to the trunk lip and forward part of the small compartment as this car did. So I have to conclude that those cars did not have a cover.

Terry

[Brad Ipsen CLC #737]

The snap and clips shown in the original pictures that Fred has are exactly like the one in my 39-9033.  As you can see there are spring steel clips on the wood and separate clips on the body to receive the spring clips.  Even if the wood is gone those clips on the body would generally still be there unless a car was completely taken apart down to the very last piece.  Cars I either have or have parted had the following:  1940-75 had the clips, 1938-9039-no clips, 1940-5219-no clips, 1940-5219-no clips, 1940-60S-no clips, 1940-6267-no clips.  So my conclusion is some cars had the wood cover and some don't.  Why are these parts not in the master parts book?

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Terry & Brad,
What response # are you referring to regarding Freds pictures??  I'd like to know before I comment further.
Bob

[Bill Bickle 15098]

Thanks gentlemen for your insite.  Judging from the number of hits on this topic, I'm sure that you have helped a number of people better understand this subject.  It may also have raised further questions!  That is why this site is so valuable for us.

[Terry Wenger]

Bob:

Replys # 13 & 14.

Terry