1972 Olds Clam Shell

I know someone will want to see this. rrhvb-2994046009@sale.craigslist.org

 

Whar? Linky does not worky!

 

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/2994050737.html Here it is.

 

Whaa?...Is that a manual-lift tailgate? Kinda looks like it is.

 

Beautiful, like the add-on mirrors, too!

 

Not manual at all, this is the famous GM clamshell from the early to mid 70's big body wagons. Having said that, does anyone know if it was possible to open it by hand if the motor failed?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA9CKTb_4oc

 

IIRC, there was a partial 'manual' clamshell gate and an all-power version. I believe on the partial-manual the glass was manual while the lower gate was electric.

 

All rear windows are power, the tailgates can be power or manual

 

Ahhhhh....I had it sdrawkcab!

 

Yes, it does have a manual tailgate. All of the clamshells had a power rear window, but a manual tailgate was standard equipment with a power-operated one optional. You can tell it's a manual by the "ears" around the rear key switch to the right of the tailgate.

You would insert the key and turn those ears to release the tailgate. You then lowered and raised it by hand. The motorized versions did not need the ears as the gate could not be moved except by the motor, so there was no need to "lock" it.

This one looks pretty good, from what you can see of it in those four photos. I like how the dealer's name is still attached to the rear.

 

I think I'd prefer the manual gate, considering that I've heard a lot of stories about the motorized ones being hard to service.

 

"A lot" suggests quite a few. Where have you heard these stories?

My experience has been the exact opposite, I own one of these, and I actually dealt with a situation where the power tailgate was inoperative. It turned out the problem was in the wiring at the key switch and had nothing to do with the motor.

But, in general, I've not heard of any clamshell wagon in recent memory where the power tailgate didn't work and the problem was determined to be a bad motor. Not saying they aren't out there, but I've not heard of one.

Second, if the motor has actually failed, replacements are not hard to locate.

Third, getting at the motor is actually quite easy. Remove one panel (ok, maybe six or eight screws), and there it is right in front of you. Disconnect the wiring, remove I think four bolts, and it's out.

 

Actually I think the manual tailgates were dangerous. Pull the lever and watch it fly down taking anything and everything with it. I have had over 2 dozen driver wagons and never had one with a bad tailgate motor. Maybe I have been lucky

 

Do you know this for a fact? This sounds like another old wive's tale just like "a lot" of motors needing repair. I've never heard this.

I've never seen a manual tailgate in person, but as I understand it, not only was it necessary to unlock the gate with the key, but then you hand to press a button with your finger (thumb?) while gripping the handle on the tailgate itself much the way you would grip the door handle while pushing the button in with your thumb to open a car door. So you were firmly gripping the tailgate when it was released to prevent it dropping unexpectedly or uncontrollably.

I doubt very much GM would have designed it in such a way that the gate could just suddenly drop into the floor. As you note, that would have been dangerous.

 

I had a 72 with a manual gate, it was twist the lever and it was GONE. Maybe someone "tinkered" with it but it worked that way