Pete Phillips Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Is there a difference between the trunk lid handles for these two years? Perhaps one has a longer shaft than the other? We are having problems getting the trunk lid handle seated in the receiver/locking arms on this 1937 Century 4-dr. that we are restoring. Perhaps we have the wrong year handle. Not enough of the shaft sticks through the latch to allow the hold-down nut and spring to screw onto the end of it. What am I doing wrong? Pete Phillips, BCA #7338 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dynaflash8 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Trunk handles are different between the two years. Make sure you get to Matt Hinson. He has one of each. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937-44 Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 The trunk handle of a 1937 slant back is longer than the trunk handle of a touring. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCHinson Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 Pete, Tomorrow, I will see if I can measure the one on my 1937 Century Model 61 and see if I can find the one for my 1938 Century Model 61 and the Model 41 body donor car as well and do some comparison for you. Is the car you are restoring a Buick or a McLaughlin Buick? For some reason, I was thinking you were working on a McLaughlin Buick. I do not know if they use the same handle or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted February 16, 2018 Author Share Posted February 16, 2018 1937 McLaughlin-Buick trunk-back 4-dr. sedan, model 61. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCHinson Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 Pete, On my US made 1937 Model 61, the overall length of the trunk handle is about 3 3/4 inches long the best I can measure it without removing it from the car. The 1938 handle is totally different, as it is not a "T" shaped handle. It is of similar length, probably 1/4 inch or so longer. I don't know where the spring goes, but it does not look like it goes directly under the nut. If a photo from another angle would help, let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted February 16, 2018 Author Share Posted February 16, 2018 Thanks, Matt. This one is the exact same length as yours, 3.75 inches from tip to tip. Can't figure out what I am doing wrong. It's the one that came off of the car, I'm fairly sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dynaflash8 Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 18 hours ago, MCHinson said: Pete, Tomorrow, I will see if I can measure the one on my 1937 Century Model 61 and see if I can find the one for my 1938 Century Model 61 and the Model 41 body donor car as well and do some comparison for you. Is the car you are restoring a Buick or a McLaughlin Buick? For some reason, I was thinking you were working on a McLaughlin Buick. I do not know if they use the same handle or not. 1938 40-50 trunk handle looks the same as 1939 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCHinson Posted February 16, 2018 Share Posted February 16, 2018 Pete, Later today, I took some more photos. Maybe this angle will help you figure it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted February 20, 2018 Author Share Posted February 20, 2018 Problem solved! It was something simple. I played around with the handle for awhile and finally got it to go in all the way by first inserting it part of the way, then turning it 90 degrees, at which time it goes down some more, apparently into another slot. Fits and works like a charm! Thanks for all of the help and photos. Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walley Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 My 38 buick the outside door handle has lost tension nor opens the door what might I look for to fix this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pont35cpe Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 Sounds like a broken spring in the latch assembly.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937McBuick Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 My coupe didn't have a handle when I got it. But a fellow from Ontario sold me one years ago. It seems too short( from the bottom of the square part to the ends of the threads). The square part will touch the trunk lid and it seems the threaded end should be sticking out of the latch assembly on the inside more. Any help anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937-44 Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 The slant back and I believe coupes use a handle with a longer shaft then those on a trunk back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937McBuick Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 I'm looking for the right one. Bell's Buick Parts might have one. I think I need to pick MCHinson's brain again. He seems to have a good resource on part numbers etc. Some people are terrific assets to the hobby and clubs. Thanks everyone! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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