1973 Cuda rear tail panel spacer?

[kodiac]

This is my first real head scratcher on my 73 Cuda resto. I noticed some rust in the tail panel and started chasing it down. That led to Bondo which led to a mysterious “filler” piece that is between the tail panel and rear cross brace. That is usually a bad sign so I stopped and took some pics. I had already ordered the parts I knew needed replaced and several that were missing. Those being that cross brace, it’s extensions, the rear quarter panel fillers.
The work that was done prior to my ownership, on a scale of 1-10, was a…3. And I’m being generous. Here’s a few pics that I hope one of you can figure out.
My question is should it be there, why is it there and what do I do if it needs to come out? Can the cross brace be pushed up high enough to tie into bottom of the tail panel/trunk. That’s probably an 1 1/2 inch difference in height. Just a guess at this point.
Thx

 

[kodiac]

Here’s a couple with the cross brace removed and a viewpoint from the rear frame rails.

 

[larry4406]

I am wondering if the piece of metal is a remnant of the original trunk floor.

Attached are some pics I have saved over the years. Note how the trunk pan has a vertical flange that turns up and is spot welded to the outside of the tail panel.

 

[kodiac]

Thanks for posting that. I thought it might be something unforeseeable as there isn’t a part # for an extension piece to the tail panel. The car does have a new trunk floor.
Since it’s not supposed to be there I guess it’s got to come out. That should make everything cleaner. I’m sure there’s plenty of rust behind it.
Thx Larry.

 

[FrankenKuda]

I believe your determination of that being the trunk floor is correct. I have the same piece on my unmolested.. very rusted 72 from back in the day.

 

[kodiac]

It’s starting to make sense. The original trunk gets rusted out and needs to be replaced. The shop/owner has a choice. Remove the back bumper, and drill out the rear cross brace, tail panel welds etc. and remove the entire trunk pan, or simply cut off the trunk from the inside and call it good. That’s what I would do.