I found this trunk, got an idea I want to use it for. It was labelled as late 20's auto trunk. I'm just curious what it was really from. It is only one I have seen so I am hesitating on cutting it.
Slightly different from the Kari-Keen trunks I have had. But they likely made more than one style and I am sure I have not seen them all. Rod
That does look like it from what can be seen in that pic. Same gloss black finish on inside and appears to have the breaks in sheet metal on back.
Almost all such trunks were aftermarket...they were common until cars started growing serious built-in trunks. Obviously, the ones cut like yours are for sedans and tourings, the squared ones generally for coupes and roadsters. Yours might be Taylor, but there were lots of brands. There were even some like Karri-Keen that swung down into a seriously cantilevered pickup bed about 4 feet long...
You beat me to it Dodger- that is the same as the trunk on my '28 Victory Six Bruce, that specific trunk should run from the mid 20's to 1932- it wouldn't fit the body style changes that the big three changed to in '33.
Good info thanks. Any collector value to it in this condition? I'm thinking about cutting it down smaller.
I would modify it to fit your needs. I have seen some of those sit on craigslist for long periods of time.
Personally,, That whole program just don't get it for me. It don't matter what the Trunk is or isn't worth. You're at that place when I ask the Customer, Are we building a Hot Rod or just hanging what we have laying around into a big pile. How are you going to support 8lbs. per gallon back there and be able to open a back door? Also as you can see you can't mount it against the body and make it look like a Hump Back due to the way the lid opens. I'd say save it for another project. Don't hate me for that, it's just my opinion. Remember,,, It's your car. I'll respect that. The Wizzard
Sold my Karri-Keen with Model A mounts, bumper extentions and spare tire carrier for $175. Probably could have gotten a little more. Rod
I understand what your saying. It looks like a sore thumb sitting there like that. My idea came from a Race style T-bucket. Many guys put a spun aluminum fuel cell out back for traction/weight transfer. The old sleeper I'm remembering had a luggage style trunk out back with fuel cell on one side. When someone asked him why he didn't put the battery on the other side, he replied, it has two purposes. Grocery bags if I'm hauling her ass, sand bags if I'm dragging your ass! I thought it was a cool idea. Trying to make it look right on a sedan is the question I'm not sure of.
Don't those fasten to the trunk rack to support the weight ? This was the type accessory much sought after in the resto-rod era (which was a good era) and look great on low, full fendered highway driven cars. Not so good on rusty fenderless stuff.
We all seem to have a Vision even before we start a project. We know what we like. Quote " Trying to make it look right on a sedan is the question I'm not sure of." end of quote. I've said this an unknown number of times. Roll your project outside, turn your back on it and walk away. Stop at 30 feet and turn around. Look at it from all angles. If you like what you see keep going. If not, now is the time to make changes. From that point you can see what to do. The Wizzard
In line with what Pit-n-Broke just said, remember that those trunks were designed for those cars in the infancy of Art Deco. You may not want to cut it down to fit the tank better, instead, redesign what you're doing inside of the trunk. As far as worth is concerned, I've seen them go for $100-$500, depending on condition, etc.
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