Trunk Idea

[74Opel1900]

Here's my idea for some trunk panels. There will be a lockable stow away compartment lined with felt or other soft material. Everything except the wheel wells will be covered with carpeting. I plan on making a cover for the spare tire also. I will probably mount an amplifier to the rear most panel and maybe put an 8 inch subwoofer in the right side panel.

[BQS4]

That sounds just like the compartment in the back of the Wagons/Sportwagons. In mine, I have a 140pc tool kit in a molded plastic case, with the jack, and tire tool, along with a gal of water/coolant, 2 pairs of gloves, a tire plug tool kit, 2 qts of oil, a spare throttle cable, jumper cables and a furniture mat. Inside the back of the spare tire, I have a 8,000 lb tow strap. This is curled up to fit inside the spare tire. Then I have an airpump just tucked behind the back seat. I'll have to post a few pictures tonight.

[74Opel1900]

I'd like to see some pictures. This compartment won't be big enough to stow all the stuff you have in your compartment. It will only have depth of about 2 - 3 inches. It will mostly be for securing valuables like my portable gps unit and mp3 player. I may adhere carpeting to the existing trunk liner or just use it as a template. The trunk is one area I feel confident I can do all the work myself.

[BQS4]

Here's pics of the back of a 1900 Wagon/Sportwagon, and the compartment under the back floor. This is how I have equipped it. I still need to put a few other things in before I make the Carlisle trip.

[BQS4]

here's a break down of what I carry:
A-tie-wraps
B-140 piece tool kit in molded plastic case
C-gallon coolant/water
D-jumper cables
E-spare throttle cable
F-lug wrench
H-jack
I-mechanics gloves
J-bungie cords
K-Opel banners (for impromptue Opel Meets)
L- 2 qts oil
You will also see the furniture blanket I carry

[BQS4]

Here's another twist on your idea, rather than build a box, why not finish it off as it's already there. In the attached pic, you can see that making a template then cutting it out of a sheet of metal, then making a door with hinges and a lock/latch, then pop rivet this down to the trunck floor, cover it with carpet and there you go. I don't know how well this will work with the 71-73 Manta/Ascona, but, it will work with the 74-75 Manta/Ascona due to the frame rails for the big bumpers.

[74Opel1900]

The reason I want to make it a box is so that I can make the hatch door smaller. I wouldn't want things sliding into areas I can't easily reach. That entire panel is going to be covered with carpeting that will need to be rolled back for access. That way the hatch and lock are concealed.