In looking for a clean way to enclose my 71 Chevelle trunk, I stumbled into a company called Alienenclosures. Found they make a nice birch trunk panel unit - less than 20lbs and no fasteners required. Called and talked to the creater and founder - a fellow 71 Chevelle owner....... named Dan. Well, I am going to put my order in tonight for one of his units - either solid or with bow tie diagram. You may want to check it out.....price seems reasonable compared to all the alternatives I have found so far. It's made to be covered by the do it yourselfer or taken to a pro. They can cover it for you too, but that is a little more expensive than my budget.......Any one hear of them or have one? I'll keep you posted.
Re: Trunk Panels - Out of this world find! - "Alienenclosures"
I've had my enclosure from Dan for about 5 years - great product and couldn't be more satisfied. Dan's has always been great to work with. When I was trying to decide color scheme he sent me several red samples to choose from to match as close to my paint as possible. I then had them finish the enclosure. I love it because if needed I can remove it with no issues - there was no need to screw it into my trunk floor and it fits tight as a glove. I will be changing my paint scheme pretty soon and eventually go back to him to change my trunk kit as well. My Chevelle has been in the photo section for years (link below).
Re: Trunk Panels - Out of this world find! - "Alienenclosures"
I did something similar myself with MDF. I used madrid grain vinyl and stitched the panels up to look similar to the door panels. I think I have less than $50 in the whole thing. These pictures are terrible but in person it looks really good and can be removed in about 5 minutes.
Re: Trunk Panels - Out of this world find! - "Alienenclosures"
I really like their enclosures, and a heck of a lot better than the 1/4" hardboard option sold by others for $199.95 for $20 worth of materials. They seem to fit well and are substantial enough to be functional. They don't offer an option for my '66, plus I had two 12" subs, so I built my own as well. I started with a sub box I bought from Amazon for $73 and then bought about $40 worth of other material. The first picture is when I initially started fitting it, the second is after I took the floor back out and did a wood inlay of the Chevelle emblem from my grill. The side panels are removable and on the driver side I house 2 amps and on the passenger side I have a small assortment of tools and road side emergency stuff. I like mine, however, if Alien Enclosures would have offer one for my '66 I probably would have started with that...
Re: Trunk Panels - Out of this world find! - "Alienenclosures"
I added a 10" sub and 2 amps to mine as well but instead of firing them into the trunk I decided to mount my sub in the rear package tray with the amps hidden behind the trunk panels. I went ahead and carpeted the box and amp shelves even though you won't see them.
I added a 10" sub and 2 amps to mine as well but instead of firing them into the trunk I decided to mount my sub in the rear package tray with the amps hidden behind the trunk panels. I went ahead and carpeted the box and amp shelves even though you won't see them.
Bart, really like you've done. I'm using that area under the package tray for my battery compartment. I'm using 2 Optima batteries, one mounted on each side and then the back side of my sub box to mount all of my in line fuses, battery isolator, junction boxes, etc. Like you though, I carpeted the entire area even though no one will see it, lol. Are you going to put any speakers, besides your sub, in your package tray? I'm putting a set of 6 3/4" Rockford Fosgate and Memphis speakers in mine. I built a set of speaker boxes for to mount them in with the speakers recessed so not to interfere with the uneven surface of the package tray. I carpeted those as well, lol.
Re: Trunk Panels - Out of this world find! - "Alienenclosures"
Hi, This is Dan from AE. Nice work Bart & Rod! Thanks for the kind words Darin & Bob! I want to extend an offer to all of the Chevelles.com members. If you enter the promo code: CHEVELLE117 at checkout you can get an additional 10% off of BARE kits until Sunday night. We plan on organizing a group buy in the future, but wanted to do a quick weekend offer for members! You can share the code if you want as well.
P.S. I promise we will get a kit for 66/67 done here soon. Finally got some help, so maybe we can start adding some new offerings.
Hi, This is Dan from AE. Nice work Bart & Rod! Thanks for the kind words Darin & Bob! I want to extend an offer to all of the Chevelles.com members. If you enter the promo code: CHEVELLE117 at checkout you can get an additional 10% off of BARE kits until Sunday night. We plan on organizing a group buy in the future, but wanted to do a quick weekend offer for members! You can share the code if you want as well.
P.S. I promise we will get a kit for 66/67 done here soon. Finally got some help, so maybe we can start adding some new offerings.
Dan, thanks for the kind words, much appreciated. But like I said in my post, if you guys would have had an option for my '66 I would have bought that. You guys offer the best looking, ready to install trunk enclosure that I could find. Also, the discount offer is a nice touch, I'm sure that the members here will appreciate that.
I consider myself 'handy' with woodworking tools and it's a lot harder than it looks to get a nice fit and finish to a trunk enclosure. If you still want to use your trunk it has to be built well enough to withstand the rouge package flying around inside of your trunk, lol. While cutting out the pieces isn't too difficult, creating proper attachment points is a little more challenging. But the real pay off with an AE enclosure is the fit and finish that you achieve. All of the corners meeting and aligning properly in a multi angle environment can be difficult. Plus, their multi layer approach gives you a multitude of finishing options to still create a unique look for your trunk.
Re: Trunk Panels - Out of this world find! - "Alienenclosures"
No problem hijackers.....
I just ordered my Alienenclosure kit - went with the 'Pure Muscle' design. Glad to hear confirmations that Dan's work is top notch. I'll keep you all posted with pics and reports. Thanks for the 10% off Dan!
Re: Trunk Panels - Out of this world find! - "Alienenclosures"
Allen, yes they do (Clear). They do not come in contact at all with the wheel tubs. The rear panel fits just under the forward deck lid seal - where the deck hinges are.
Re: Trunk Panels - Out of this world find! - "Alienenclosures"
Hey guys, we are going to move forward on the 66/67 kits immediately. In the past it was a one man operation, so new kits came very infrequently. Now there is some help so they should come a little quicker. I do need some help. I have donor 67 car that I plan on getting started on here soon. What I need is some pictures of the trunks of 66 models and some 67 models as well, so I can make some comparisons. I am pretty sure the deck lid is the same, but often the tail lights & latches change from year to year. Also the rear package tray & convertible cars have differences which may determine some changes in kit designs. So if you have trunk pics from any of those combinations, I could use them. I appreciate the help! - Dan
Re: Trunk Panels - Out of this world find! - "Alienenclosures"
Update: Received my trunk kit - see pics... nicely packaged, delivered very fast. I like that the material (birch - pretty cool idea) is firm but not too heavy. The instructions seem straight forward (had to call Dan to ask about the blocks of wood that are angle cut - fast answer). what I like about it too is that although there is one main way to assemble the kit, there are several ways to approach the inserts depending on your taste. I'll send a few pics as I assemble the kit and test fit it into the trunk before I send it to get upholstered. So far, very happy with the product!!
Re: Trunk Panels - Out of this world find! - "Alienenclosures"
Update: got the kit assembled and test fit in the 71. see pics. easy to follow directions and the design makes for a nice solid fit....nice and solid - no sliding around. there are backing panels and inserts that go behind each of the sides that you see in the pics. OFF TO UPHOLSTERER NOW!!!
Re: Trunk Panels - Out of this world find! - "Alienenclosures"
These kits look great…in fact, I've been contemplating the idea of getting one for my '71 for a while but the main reason why I didn't go ahead is that I find that they make the trunk's useable space much too small… You cannot bring some foldable chairs and a cooler, etc... when going to a car show…
…but they definitely look nice! :yes:
These kits look great…in fact, I've been contemplating the idea of getting one for my '71 for a while but the main reason why I didn't go ahead is that I find that they make the trunk's useable space much too small… You cannot bring some foldable chairs and a cooler, etc... when going to a car show…
…but they definitely look nice! :yes:
Re: Trunk Panels - Out of this world find! - "Alienenclosures"
Hi Dean, I was speaking for Alien Enclosures. I used to own it, but have sold it. I still work for the parent company and I was asked to find out how to create a group buy to pass along a discount to (CDC - Chevelles Dot Com), Chevelles.com members. I post about the product and answer some questions because I have first hand knowledge about them.
As far as limiting space, they really dont. I use a kit in my 71 chevelle, and while I did give up my spare, I find that since the panels are designed to be easily removed, I can put a bag of tools or detailing supplies on the ends, and easily fit luggage & coolers behind the main panel (under the package tray), and chairs and or cooler for the show in the main trunk space. I think a lot of people are choosing to add trunk panels because the shows are starting to take "points" off if the trunks haven't been treated. Additionally, guys selling at auctions seem to think they raise the cars value as a more complete restoration. - Dan
Re: Trunk Panels - Out of this world find! - "Alienenclosures"
While you do lose some trunk space, essentially only that between the wheel tubs, another really positive feature/function of a trunk enclosure is that it keeps items from sliding around in your trunk and potentially denting/damaging a quarter panel. You can say, 'well, I don't drive like a maniac', but, what if a kid ran out in front of you and you had to swerve or you had to slam on your brakes for other reasons... nice insurance...
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