opinions on trunk panel

[Burdar]

Not an E-body project but I come here for advice...

I'm building trunk panels for my 68 Dart.  I'm pretty far along.  I'm almost ready to start covering pieces with vinyl.  Pictured is the rear trim panel that goes around the trunk striker.  I've got this piece all screwed together, the screw holes filled/sanded and I threw a quick coat of primer over the MDF.  I'm thinking about adding a recessed detail to the top on either side of the striker.  I'd cut out two openings and add a dimple died aluminum piece on the bottom side.

The dilemma is that the striker isn't centered in the trunk opening.  It's an inch off center. (48" opening...left side to striker is 23"...right side to striker is 25")  So, if I add recessed details on the top, do I center them off of the striker or center them in the trunk opening?  I'm afraid either option is going to look "OFF".  I'm also afraid that nothing on top will be a missed opportunity for an extra detail. 
 

[Burdar]

The first picture showed a cardboard cutout of the recessed area I was thinking about making.  It's hard to see but there were 7 circles spaced out on it.  Those represent the dimple died holes that would be seen through the opening.  7 holes was too much.  I was thinking about either 3 or 5.  I cut the cardboard piece in halve, spaced them out and took this next picture.

This is what three dimple died holes would look like.  I've got them centered in the trunk opening...not spaced off of the striker.  I've got 13" from center to the striker on the left...15" from center to the striker on the right.  Just playing around with things right now. 

[moparcar]

I think your last photo with just the two ovals looks good. Your eye sees the equal spacing and seems to take the focus off of the off center strike. Your other one with the multiple dimple die holes seems to draw my eye toward the strike---at least it does me.

Wes

[blown motor]

What if you slit the difference? It will be slightly off relative to both the centre and the striker but may not be that noticeable. The tree hole system is definitely better.

[Burdar]

I think the farther I keep it away from the striker, the less noticeable it is.  The three hole looks better then the 7 but it still doesn't look like I want it to.

Now I'm thinking I'll use a 1/2" dimple die instead of a 1".  I can make the cutouts thinner and just slightly longer then the 3 hole I'm showing now.  Then I can do five, 1/2" holes. I'll cut out some cardboard with that arrangement and see what it looks like.  I've also got a 3/4" dimple die I could use as well.

[Mickm]

Burdar, I think it's looking great!


Here is what I did in my Cuda trunk that is along the same train of thought.

Cheers!
Mickm

[Burdar]

I was hoping you'd see this.  Is the Cuda striker centered in the trunk opening?

I've got dimple died pieces in the engine compartment so I'd like to have some in the trunk as well.(if I can get them looking like they belong there)

[Burdar]

Here's the latest.  Looks better than anything else so far I think.  The templates are about a half inch longer then the previous ones but are 5/8 thinner.  I've got them centered at 14" on the left and 16" on the right from the striker.  I think this might work.

[Brads70]

Do you have access to a bead roller?  So I understand this , the gray primered parts around the striker is what you built out of MDF? I ask as I have no idea what a Dart looks like stock in this area?
What about making that out of a single piece of aluminum sheet , then add in a bead rolled surface and the dimple dies . You could make it screw into the wood parts your building to be removeable to have access to the tail light wiring harness? I assume it lays across the bottom like an ebody? You can buy polished aluminum or stainless. With aluminum I've used black BBQ paint and ball milled a pattern for contrast thinking a bead roll would have a similar effect?

[Burdar]

Yes, the area at the back of the trunk around the striker is MDF.  I've got most everything already built and ready for vinyl.  It will be a combination of black and pearl white vinyl so it matches the interior.  I was just going to add some aluminum details to spice it up a little.

The piece in question gets attached with two 1/4" bolts and that's it.  Eventually they will be polished SS button head bolts. The trunk floor is fairly tight on the sides but it doubles as the spare tire cover.  The spare tire wingnut will hold it in place.  The rest will be held in with Velcro.  Should be a super light and simple setup.  No speakers or amps.  Just a little something to customize the trunk area.  Didn't really want to post pictures of it until it's done but...

[anlauto]

Should watch the tv show "Texas Metal" ....the interior guys on that show are incredible when it comes to custom interiors...the show usually shows a lot of their tricks for creating stuff as well.....check it out if you can find it.

[6bblgt]

you could embrace the offset or loose the extra dimension in additional details

4 x 1/2" isn't as noticeable as a single 2"

[Mickm]

Burdar, No the striker is not in the center of the trunk. Depending on how you measure as in center of the striker, center of the latch assembly how much it is off.
I made the center of the slot fit within a very close of tolerance to the centerline of the trunk. Then adjusted the open length of the slot as need to towards the longer side to give the appearance of everything being centered and even.
You cannot tell any difference without a tape measure.

Hope this helps,

Cheers!
Mickm

[Burdar]

you could embrace the offset or loose the extra dimension in additional details

Thanks for those drawings! I definitely need to think about this more before making any cuts.

Then adjusted the open length of the slot as need to towards the longer side to give the appearance of everything being centered and even.

Yah, that makes sense.  Thanks!