Luggage rack. Why?
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,997
Likes: 6,213
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Bat's.. I've not seen Steve's car in person... but I can assure you that if looked at close enough the ghost holes will show.
The issues as I stated above are the combination of the filler material and the constant shrinkage combined with the expansion and contraction ratio's being different.
I don't think that Alan's car had a rack.. I'd have to ask him but I don't believe he had one.
The racks were not a factory installed part, they were installed at the dealership and that's another story that I'm working with NCRS on right now. This publication drew their attention a few months ago..
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/1...story-updated/
While this publication still needs to be updated (once again, Richard died a few years back in a horrible accident). it's still pretty close to being 100 percent correct.
I will say this.. Since 1973..... I've not found anyone that can hide a hole drilled in a top surround panel, or a rear deck panel that I couldn't find 6 months later regardless of color... But again... I'll also give my **** **** a pass saying that it depends on how hard you look... but you can find them.
Ernie
The issues as I stated above are the combination of the filler material and the constant shrinkage combined with the expansion and contraction ratio's being different.
I don't think that Alan's car had a rack.. I'd have to ask him but I don't believe he had one.
The racks were not a factory installed part, they were installed at the dealership and that's another story that I'm working with NCRS on right now. This publication drew their attention a few months ago..
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/1...story-updated/
While this publication still needs to be updated (once again, Richard died a few years back in a horrible accident). it's still pretty close to being 100 percent correct.
I will say this.. Since 1973..... I've not found anyone that can hide a hole drilled in a top surround panel, or a rear deck panel that I couldn't find 6 months later regardless of color... But again... I'll also give my **** **** a pass saying that it depends on how hard you look... but you can find them.
Ernie
Rack removed in 2007 (about 5 minutes after it was delivered) so I think my 6 months are up.
Last edited by vettebuyer6369; Sep 27, 2017 at 05:15 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Grapevine Tx
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
2016 C3 of the Year Finalist
Luggage racks were cool back in the '60's and '70's. They were very sporty and a necessity for cars that were used for long trips. Most Corvette's back then were borderline daily drivers and the only car a guy had to go on a trip with.
Then the streamline clean look came and they went out of style.
If you don't like the look, that's fine, but they are part of the vintage Corvette look.
Then the streamline clean look came and they went out of style.
If you don't like the look, that's fine, but they are part of the vintage Corvette look.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 134
Likes: 24
- If you have the rack, leave it
- If there is no rack and you want one, think twice before drilling the permanent holes
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 365
From: Tolland CT
I have no experience with this so tell me if I am crazy but if I were going to do the job I would fill the holes and then go over the entire lid with a layer or two of lightweight fiberglass. By the time you skimmed/sanded would you not have a surface that should shrink at similar rates?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 279
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
I had a 1960 MGA that came stock with a luggage rack, same for the 1964 MGB I had. I've seen many sport cars from that era with racks. Jaguar, Triumph, Alfa's, etc.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 365
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From: Gold Canyon, Arizona
When racks started to appear, my friends in grade school explained, "It's for the driver's bedroll (sleeping bag)", astutely thinking that after buying a Vette he became too poor to afford a motel when travelling with it.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,988
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Is the photo of the black Vette supposed to be proof of rack holes repaired that can no longer be seen? It might be but is anyone here green enough to believe a photograph like this is capable of showing the needed detail and removing all doubt. I've seen cars look this good in photos where the paint was checked and the body work was terrible in reality.