Reply to "Deck Lid Latch upgrade"

Very nicely executed. A well thought out improvement over the old styles.

Did you know some of the early push-button cars had a cable operated rear deck? Cable ran to a recessed Fiat-sourced release handle located in the driver's B pillar.

One thing I would suggest.

When, if, the cable to the front deck lid breaks, you are in major doo-doo. Tales are told of Ford dealerships grabbing the crowbar on the very early cars; the ones where there is no way to remove the front grill (to get to hood hinge bolts) from outside (held on by grill studs and nuts, not screws).

Ford even came out with their own TSB and upgrade kit, adding a second cable pull that was drilled and threaded into the pedal area.

This by the way is something EVERY Pantera owner should make sure is installed on their car.

A cable rear deck will have the same issue if it breaks. I know you went to great lengths to make it all look great; adding an emergency cable may seem to mess things up.

But the latch is not readily within reach from under the car, and with your cover, the guts aren't even open to a stretched-out hand.

Should a cable, or servo, go NFG you may have major issues.

Don't mean to rain on your parade. Your project would surely be on my list should some soccer mom ever crunch the back of 2511.

Just my 2¢

Larry