Close the trunk with a full clamshell

CSteve

CSteve

Well-Known Member
Site Donor $$
Messages
4,343
Reaction score
1,689
Location
Bucks County, PA
Yes, you read that right. Assuming the same holds true for the Bavaria and 3.0S. My body shop guy is making some improvements in my clamshell and of course we got talking about the need for a tool wrap, the weak factory plastic tabs, the danger of a hard close of the trunk with a full clamshell.

He carefully lowered the trunk to about two inches from the lock and gently closed it until we heard the clicks of the lock. This method seems to eliminate the shock of the slam, something I have done for decades on four coupes and four Bavarias.

I will let you know how this method works when I get the Bavaria back end of week.

Steve

PS: I will have photos of the chrome wheel arches installed, only three, waiting for a fourth from Germany. And a chrome trim piece that sat under the trunk lock, exclusive to the '68-'70 2500 and 2800 exclusively. Probably deleted when Max stripped the 2800 and turned it into the $4,999. Bavaria.
 
Steve, I just don't see the need to use the shell unless at a show. A tool roll protects, allows immediate access and protects the clam shell. Also if you store your cars like I do, the roll placed in plastic protects from rust. This guy from New England is not a fan of the clam.
 
Your body shop guy is right - closing the trunk gently can prevent damage caused by closing the trunk. But as plastic ages, it becomes brittle, and cold temperatures aggreviate the brittleness, so on a cold day even a major bump in the road can cause a full toolbox to fail. So yes, storing your tools elsewhere is the only way to ensure a long life for your toolbox.
 
Your responses are exactly what I had hoped for. Thanks all!!

Addendum: Because one of my tabs is already cracked my body guy is going to put a strip of metal from tab edge to tab edge. I have no idea how it will look or how he will do it. But he is a creative guy when it comes to this kind of thing. Photos will appear.
 
I bought one of the new (BMW OE tool clamshells) when they made a run of them about 10 years ago. I kept it on the shelf waiting for the right time to use it.
When the car was down at SFDon's - that was the right time.
It looks great sitting there - but empty.
I don't even have any tools. I mean... the car has been fully gone through by Don and his cast of characters... What would I need a tool for - eh? LOL
 
Coupe King sells a nice tool roll. I keep the screwdrivers, plugs, and indicator lights in the clamshell. As said before, heat and cold will make the plastic tabs brittle.
The trunk lid goes up and stays up with a lightened clamshell, also.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top