<VV> "sealed" trunks

[Jim Burkhard]

No, they rust out because
1. Some moron engineer at GM decided that a rubber trunk mat 
was a good idea.
2. Even after they saw damage developing, moron subsequent 
owners decided to leave the rubber trunk mat in place 
instead of tossing it in the can.

Rubber trunk mats are among the dumbest things ever on our 
cars. Even if the trunk gasket is good, invariably a little 
moisture (it doesn't take much!) will get in when it's 
raining and the trunk is open and it gets trapped under the 
%^$#ing mat for months eating away at everything.  I've seen 
lots of cars that were rock-solid in the trunk until you 
pick up the mat and see the mess underneath.

Bill brings up a good ancillary point though ... When the 
car is parked in the garage, it's a good idea to keep the 
lid open to allow any moisture present to dry. And, if you 
need a trunk mat for some silly concours rule, keep it in a 
box until show day.

Jim "Straight Talk" Burkhard

UltraMonzaWest at aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 3/1/2006 11:46:57 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
> lechevrier at earthlink.net writes:
> 
> 
>>for that matter, isn't that why the trunks themselves rust out? they 
>>aren't adequately vented? even with a rubber "seal" on the lid?
>>
>>Bill Strickland