Classic/Antique Car Repair: keys, lock smith, backrest

Question
I LOCKED THE ONLY SET OF KEYS THAT I HAVE FOR MY 56 OLDS 88
IN THE TRUNK AND I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO GET IN THERE TO RETIEVE THEM WITH OUT DAMAGING ANYTHING. I HAVE HAD 1 LOCK SMITH TRY TO PICK THE LOCK WITH NO SUCESS. SURE HOPE YOU CAN HELP.

Answer
I am very surprised the locksmith couldn't make a key for the lock. If you take your glovebox lock out of the car and bring it to a more skilled locksmith and ask him to make a key for it, that key will also work your trunk lock (they are keyed alike on your car and indeed on most cars).

If you cannot do that, there is only one other way - you have to remove the rear seat backrest, and then try to remove the cardboard partition between the trunk and passenger compartment without damaging it. It is very fragile - so be careful with it.  Then enlist a small helper (about an 8 year old boy is usually a good choice!), have him crawl in there and retrieve your keys.  He can also open the trunk from the inside, but that takes tools and knowledge, so a better plan is to have him snag the keys and flip them out to you.

To remove the rear seat backrest, you have to first remove the bottom cushion.  The way to do that is to sit on it to hold it down firmly, then using your leg strength, push back on the front edge of the cushion to slide it back at least 1/2 inch. Then pull up on the front edge - the  retainer hooks should release - this will probably take multiple tries, but it can be done - don't give up!

Now, you have to undo whatever fastenings are along the bottom edge of the backrest, holding it down to the floor.  Remove the bolts you see including those that hold the center armrest in place.  When all is loose along the bottom edge of the backrest, lift up firmly on the backrest cushion while pressing it toward the rear of the car - you have to disengage hook retainers at the top edge of the backrest, and these are about as tough as the ones under the bottom cushion.   Once the backrest will slide up toward the rear glass, it will come out.  

Then you are faced with getting the panel out of the way without damaging it.  The fasteners are through the sheet metal X brace which you can see - take a good flashlight and look for the ends of the retainers coming through the metal, and one by one, work them back through the holes to release the panel.  This is painstaking work, to avoid damaging the panel.  The material will be very fragile - so be gentle!

Good Luck (and get a second set of keys made!)

Dick