Luggage Rack
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 638
From: Port St Lucie Florida
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Good info. My thanks to all. I would consider having the holes glassed over and then painted but to do it right the paint would need to be feathered a good distance up the quarters. Frame off was just done and the paint is fresh and sharp.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore MD
After I finished my restoration I wasn't sure if I should put it back on, glass the holes over, or use plugs/bolts.
I was told if you glass the holes over that they 'may' become slightly visible where they used to be later down the road, due to heat and expanding/contracting of the fiberglass and paint.
At first I used the black plastic push plugs for a few months, then decided to try it with the rack on for a while; needless to say the rack is still on. I didn't think it took away too much nor added too much with it on or off IMO.
Not to mention I couldn't find any aftermarket 4-hole racks that would fit, and after some shows got tired of people asking me what the plugs are for.
Here's a few pics of mine with and without:
Here's a thread I started last year when I was undecisive about it; quite a lot of good replies about what you're looking for on peoples thoughts of racks:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...you-think.html
Edit: Would have just linked the website, but pic's not there anymore since I changed websites.
I was told if you glass the holes over that they 'may' become slightly visible where they used to be later down the road, due to heat and expanding/contracting of the fiberglass and paint.
At first I used the black plastic push plugs for a few months, then decided to try it with the rack on for a while; needless to say the rack is still on. I didn't think it took away too much nor added too much with it on or off IMO.
Not to mention I couldn't find any aftermarket 4-hole racks that would fit, and after some shows got tired of people asking me what the plugs are for.
Here's a few pics of mine with and without:
Here's a thread I started last year when I was undecisive about it; quite a lot of good replies about what you're looking for on peoples thoughts of racks:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...you-think.html
Edit: Would have just linked the website, but pic's not there anymore since I changed websites.
It's interesting that your rack was a "FOUR" post rack. Most are either 6 or 8. I have an 81 with 4 posts as well. These racks are not being reproduced at this time only the 6 and 8 post are. When I restored my vette I wanted the luggage rack back on, I was lucky and found one on Ebay. It was a GM option even in 1981. Mines back on and I personally like it!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 915
Likes: 2
From: Lima, OH -- 69 L71 427/435hp
I believe it's a vinyl wrap; on the underside there is an overlap seam. The bars are not perferctly round either, a bit pancaked on top and bottom. One of those 60's style things I guess, wood paneling and trim was pretty popular back then. 
I 'was' considering using a heat gun to try and remove them, get it all rechromed, and use a black vinyl wrap or possibly black leather to redo it, but the wood grain is growing on me.
Yeah according to the original order invoice it was dealer installed, I found it odd as well, as most are 6 or 8, so none of the aftermarket racks today would fit as a replacement, since where it bolts in at is offset with the footpads to deck on the rack I have (you can see it on the last pic real well).
Someone with more knowledge can jump in here, far as when the racks came from the factory with them installed and/or when they became more standardized as to 6 and 8 post mounts via the dealer/factory....i'm curious myself.
I'll bet Easy Mike knows...
I 'was' considering using a heat gun to try and remove them, get it all rechromed, and use a black vinyl wrap or possibly black leather to redo it, but the wood grain is growing on me.
It's interesting that your rack was a "FOUR" post rack. Most are either 6 or 8. I have an 81 with 4 posts as well. These racks are not being reproduced at this time only the 6 and 8 post are. When I restored my vette I wanted the luggage rack back on, I was lucky and found one on Ebay. It was a GM option even in 1981. Mines back on and I personally like it!
Someone with more knowledge can jump in here, far as when the racks came from the factory with them installed and/or when they became more standardized as to 6 and 8 post mounts via the dealer/factory....i'm curious myself.
I'll bet Easy Mike knows...
1969/1971/2021 Coupes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 80
From: Port Huron MI
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I didn't use to like them because our family cars never had one on them however after looking at all of the pics on this forum, they started to grow on me. I have since bought one for my 69 (that didn't have one originally). Don't have it installed yet because I'm in the middle of a frame off but like was mentioned earlier, I believe the look goes good with the wheels and pipes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 123
From: CA.
I believe it's a vinyl wrap; on the underside there is an overlap seam. The bars are not perferctly round either, a bit pancaked on top and bottom. One of those 60's style things I guess, wood paneling and trim was pretty popular back then.
I 'was' considering using a heat gun to try and remove them, get it all rechromed, and use a black vinyl wrap or possibly black leather to redo it, but the wood grain is growing on me.
Yeah according to the original order invoice it was dealer installed, I found it odd as well, as most are 6 or 8, so none of the aftermarket racks today would fit as a replacement, since where it bolts in at is offset with the footpads to deck on the rack I have (you can see it on the last pic real well).
Someone with more knowledge can jump in here, far as when the racks came from the factory with them installed and/or when they became more standardized as to 6 and 8 post mounts via the dealer/factory....i'm curious myself.
I'll bet Easy Mike knows...
I 'was' considering using a heat gun to try and remove them, get it all rechromed, and use a black vinyl wrap or possibly black leather to redo it, but the wood grain is growing on me.
Yeah according to the original order invoice it was dealer installed, I found it odd as well, as most are 6 or 8, so none of the aftermarket racks today would fit as a replacement, since where it bolts in at is offset with the footpads to deck on the rack I have (you can see it on the last pic real well).
Someone with more knowledge can jump in here, far as when the racks came from the factory with them installed and/or when they became more standardized as to 6 and 8 post mounts via the dealer/factory....i'm curious myself.
I'll bet Easy Mike knows...
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
Don't like them. In fact, I usually won't consider a car with a luggage rack on it unless it is one hell of a deal.
I have seen people try to fill those holes in, and make it look right. The repair never seems to last more than a few years. I've seen bondo put in the holes, I've seen the holes wallowed out and filled with fiberglass, I even saw one enterprising individual fiberglass flat steel slugs to the underside of the hole, then fill the hole with fiberglass.
Remember, the panel is press molded, the plugs aren't. They seem to shrink over a period of time.
I have one seen one repair that held up over the years. The body shop replaced the entire rear upper surround with an NOS one. Car was worth it (1969 435 convertible).
I have seen people try to fill those holes in, and make it look right. The repair never seems to last more than a few years. I've seen bondo put in the holes, I've seen the holes wallowed out and filled with fiberglass, I even saw one enterprising individual fiberglass flat steel slugs to the underside of the hole, then fill the hole with fiberglass.
Remember, the panel is press molded, the plugs aren't. They seem to shrink over a period of time.
I have one seen one repair that held up over the years. The body shop replaced the entire rear upper surround with an NOS one. Car was worth it (1969 435 convertible).
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 2
From: Round Rock, Texas, USA Texas
hate the look --check out my avatar
love the easy of strapping the tops on the back --see my signature
I "filled" the holes with little chrome snap-in buttons from Home Depot
I install the rack when I'm going on any kind of a trip, so I can strap the racks on the back --otherwise it hangs on the wall in my garage.
love the easy of strapping the tops on the back --see my signature
I "filled" the holes with little chrome snap-in buttons from Home Depot
I install the rack when I'm going on any kind of a trip, so I can strap the racks on the back --otherwise it hangs on the wall in my garage.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 915
Likes: 2
From: Lima, OH -- 69 L71 427/435hp
Thanks much, appreciate it. 
Yours as well!
Why would they refuse your plates because of the rack?
Easy Mike sent me this PM:
Yours as well! i beleive it was a fact. option starting in 76 but dealer brosures of 72 vettes do show them with a rack. when i applied for my antique plate here in pa. i had to send pics to dmv. they refused my plates because of the rack. i had to take it off and send new pics. i have a 72.
Easy Mike sent me this PM:
Hi,
Except for the V54 option, all Corvette luggage racks were dealer installed after the dealer took delivery of the new Corvette. Most of these were the 6 or 8 hole variety, but that could have depended upon where the Chevrolet dealer purchased the rack.
I've never seen a 4 post rack, much less one with vinyl trim. It's also possible the rack was aftermarket and installed by the dealer at the request of the new Corvette owner.
Mike
Except for the V54 option, all Corvette luggage racks were dealer installed after the dealer took delivery of the new Corvette. Most of these were the 6 or 8 hole variety, but that could have depended upon where the Chevrolet dealer purchased the rack.
I've never seen a 4 post rack, much less one with vinyl trim. It's also possible the rack was aftermarket and installed by the dealer at the request of the new Corvette owner.
Mike
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,983
Likes: 6,211
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Don't like them. In fact, I usually won't consider a car with a luggage rack on it unless it is one hell of a deal.
I have seen people try to fill those holes in, and make it look right. The repair never seems to last more than a few years. I've seen bondo put in the holes, I've seen the holes wallowed out and filled with fiberglass, I even saw one enterprising individual fiberglass flat steel slugs to the underside of the hole, then fill the hole with fiberglass.
Remember, the panel is press molded, the plugs aren't. They seem to shrink over a period of time.
I have one seen one repair that held up over the years. The body shop replaced the entire rear upper surround with an NOS one. Car was worth it (1969 435 convertible).
I have seen people try to fill those holes in, and make it look right. The repair never seems to last more than a few years. I've seen bondo put in the holes, I've seen the holes wallowed out and filled with fiberglass, I even saw one enterprising individual fiberglass flat steel slugs to the underside of the hole, then fill the hole with fiberglass.
Remember, the panel is press molded, the plugs aren't. They seem to shrink over a period of time.
I have one seen one repair that held up over the years. The body shop replaced the entire rear upper surround with an NOS one. Car was worth it (1969 435 convertible).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: Concord Calif
I think the cars look well with them as long as it is not a race car looking machine. I want one for my 68 but does anyone know of one that lifts up to put fuel in without removeing what you have stored there?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Nashville Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '10
I'm neutral on the subject. If a car has one, I think they look OK. If a car doesn't have one, I don't think to myself "A rack should be there".
Here's where my $.02 comes in. If it is there, leave it there. I think a rack looks 10 times better than places on a car that show where something used to be. It seems to be the majority opinion that you can never really get rid of the holes...so I say...put it back on.
Bobby
Here's where my $.02 comes in. If it is there, leave it there. I think a rack looks 10 times better than places on a car that show where something used to be. It seems to be the majority opinion that you can never really get rid of the holes...so I say...put it back on.
Bobby
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,983
Likes: 6,211
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
The rack I pictured in my post above yours is a lift-up.
