The trunk lock fixed itself.

[wlfrench]

Ok, I finished replacing the motor mounts on my GT today and rolled up the car cover throw it in the trunk and took her for a spin. So, I get back and go to open the trunk to get the car cover and the trunk won't open. This is very odd because the trunk lock hasn't worked the whole time I've had the car, which is OK because I don't have a key for the trunk lock anyway. Well now I need to get the darn thing unlocked anybody know how to pick a Studebaker truck lock?

[52-fan]

You may have to remove the back seat and open the latch from inside. I have had to do that a couple of times. When I got my 52 the latch had slipped enough that the key would not open the trunk. I had to remove stuff that was shipped inside the trunk before I could get to the latch and trip it. Lots of fun...

[wlfrench]

I may be wrong but I don't think you can get to the trunk latch through the back seat of a GT.

[Green 53]

Try the trunk key from cars owned by some of your friends. Not a lot of combinations. I once unlocked the trunk on a 62 GT with my 64 Avanti's glove box key.

Denny L

[63t-cab]

Wayne, You will be able to access once the seat is removed "You may need to use a lengthy extension on a ratchet so less of YOU have to snake inside" .two bolts will get the striker off the rear panel to start with.

I may be wrong but I don't think you can get to the trunk latch through the back seat of a GT.

[Lou Van Anne]

Wow, would you ask your GT trunk lock to have a little talk with mine and explain it how to fix itself...I haven't been able to.

[mbstude]

Try the trunk key from cars owned by some of your friends. Not a lot of combinations. I once unlocked the trunk on a 62 GT with my 64 Avanti's glove box key.

Denny L

Good point, Denny. Growing up around my granddad's yard full of Studes, I had one key on my keyring that would open the trunks on almost all of them.

[rockinhawk]

Wayne, You will be able to access once the seat is removed "You may need to use a lengthy extension on a ratchet so less of YOU have to snake inside" .two bolts will get the striker off the rear panel to start with.

What works great is a small grandchild who knows how to work a ratchet. I once put one through the back side window of an Avanti I had locked the keys in.

[Quentin]

I may be wrong but I don't think you can get to the trunk latch through the back seat of a GT.

With a 63 you can get in through removal of the back seat if you have a skinny friend! There was no way I could pretzel myself to fit (6'1" 240lbs), but my thin Scottish friend got in there no worries to trip the latch - ( usual - the wire joining key assembly to latch had "jumped off".)

[wlfrench]

None of my friends has a car older than mid 2000's so I don't think any of those keys will even fit. I guess the back seat is coming out and I'll have to gather up all my socket extensions. And today would have to be the hottest and most humid day of the summer so far.

[63t-cab]

Wow Neil, that's a tight squeeze for sure. hope the little Tike got a ride afterwards for payment

What works great is a small grandchild who knows how to work a ratchet. I once put one through the back side window of an Avanti I had locked the keys in.

[mbstude]

Wow Neil, that's a tight squeeze for sure. hope the little Tike got a ride afterwards for payment

We were at a zone meet in Memphis. He managed to unlatch the rear quarter window with a coat hanger between the door window and the B pillar. Reached in with a screwdriver, unscrewed the latch and swung the rear quarter window open all the way, and put me in feet first.

I was a very skinny 10 year old.

[rockinhawk]

That's when I met my friend Nollie Hinton (RIP)! he helped me put G-son through the window,and never let him forget it! Nollie's Avanti and mine tied for 1st place at that meet.

[StudeRich]

None of my friends has a car older than mid 2000's so I don't think any of those keys will even fit. I guess the back seat is coming out and I'll have to gather up all my socket extensions. And today would have to be the hottest and most humid day of the summer so far.

That is when going to a SDC Event can help, Local Chapter Monthly Meetings, Zone Meets etc. should net at least a half dozen Trunk Keys, it usually takes no more than 3 to find a winner!

[JoeHall]

None of my friends has a car older than mid 2000's so I don't think any of those keys will even fit. I guess the back seat is coming out and I'll have to gather up all my socket extensions. And today would have to be the hottest and most humid day of the summer so far.

Use the Stude's ignition key, and just jiggle it a bit, and it will likely open right up. If that is too simple, remove the gas tank, and use a hand held grinder to cut a square hole in the trunk floor about 18" x 18". Then, you can climb up into the trunk with a flashlight and release the latch with your finger.

Most problems with Studes can be simple, or complicated. Its up to the individual.