The Roadster boot lid and GT tailgate changed at several points across the production run, and the fixings and seals differ between production periods and body styles.
Roadster Boot Lid
The Roadster boot lid is a relatively simple pressing, an outer skin over an inner frame, hinged at the rear and propped open by a stay rod, and includes the number plate lamp mounting and the model badge location. The boot lid changed specification during production, with the later type using a seal fixed to the body rather than to the boot lid itself, so when replacing an early boot lid with the later type, the corresponding body seal must also be fitted. The boot lock handle, lock assembly, and latch striker are all available individually, and the lock should operate smoothly with the key and release cleanly when the internal cable is pulled. The boot seal provides both the weather seal and the compression that holds the lid firmly closed, and a hardened or compressed seal allows water into the boot, causing corrosion in the boot floor, battery box, and spare wheel well areas.
Gas-filled telescopic struts are available as a practical upgrade, retaining the lid open without fumbling with the prop rod.
GT Tailgate
The GT tailgate is a more complex assembly, hinging upwards from the roof header and incorporating the rear window aperture, supported by gas struts that hold it in the raised position. Hinge wear allows the tailgate to sag, causing visible misalignment and water ingress at the upper rear edge, and gas struts lose their charge over time, causing the tailgate to drop slowly or fall shut unexpectedly, a hazard for anyone leaning into the load area, so replacement struts restore reliable operation. The tailgate seal runs around the rear aperture preventing water ingress to the boot area, and a leaking seal causes a wet boot floor and corrosion of the spare wheel well and rear body pillars, so it should be renewed during major bodywork. The tailgate seal, hinge assemblies, lock and latch components, gas struts, and all associated hardware are available for the GT, and the tailgate wiring loom runs through the right-hand hinge channel.
Some GT models were fitted with a heated rear screen, an electrically heated element embedded in the glass, whose wiring and switch should be checked during any electrical overhaul. Chrome bumper and rubber bumper specifications differ in lock and latching arrangements.
Skins & Fixings
Boot lid and tailgate skins are available separately where the inner structure is sound but the outer skin has corroded or been damaged, as an alternative to replacing the complete assembly, and the complete boot lid assembly is also available as a single unit. Boot lid hinges, hinge bolts, the boot seal, boot buffer rubbers, and the boot light switch and lamp components are all available, along with all associated screws, washers, spring washers, and spire nuts for boot lid and tailgate installation.