Luggage Rack
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,555
Likes: 257
From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Luggage Rack
I like the looks of the cars with the luggage rack. I just saw a black one this morning with the rack and it really looked good.
So, what do you think? Has anyone installed an aftermarket luggage rack?
So, what do you think? Has anyone installed an aftermarket luggage rack?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Re: Luggage Rack (OHSIXX)
I've taken it off and put it back on. When I got the car it had a chrome rack that had seen better days. When I painted the car I filled in the holes with fiberglass and for about the first 2 or 3 months it looked great. But after a while the repair started to show and nothing I did made the telltale marks go away. So I immediately surrendered (you do that much quicker when you're my age :D )and bought a stainless rack with the holes in the same position. Now that I've got a nice looking rack back on I really like it. I even use it when I go to shows to strap on chairs and such so I get some utility out of it. Here's one with and without.
[Modified by vettfixr, 1:42 PM 9/14/2002]
[Modified by vettfixr, 1:42 PM 9/14/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: Luggage Rack (OHSIXX)
Like vettfixr says, this seems to be a one-way street. Everyone that I know of who has tried to remove a luggage rack and fill the holes has had the dimples come back to haunt them down the road. But if you need the space for taking a weekend trip or something, there's not many other options.
Personally, I like the clean body lines better without the rack on the rear deck.
Shannon
Personally, I like the clean body lines better without the rack on the rear deck.
Shannon
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: Luggage Rack (OHSIXX)
Personally, I'd rather not have my luggage rack.
I don't know that I'll ever use it, and I've taken it off several time to make it easier to polish the car (I think it's a real PITB to polish around).
But to each his own.
I didn't put the luggage rack on, but I did put a passenger side mirror on. Drilling through the fiberglass was not difficult, but it did make me very nervous :eek:
Good Luck.
[Modified by jerryp58, 5:11 PM 9/14/2002]
I don't know that I'll ever use it, and I've taken it off several time to make it easier to polish the car (I think it's a real PITB to polish around).
But to each his own.
I didn't put the luggage rack on, but I did put a passenger side mirror on. Drilling through the fiberglass was not difficult, but it did make me very nervous :eek:
Good Luck.
[Modified by jerryp58, 5:11 PM 9/14/2002]
Racer
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach CA
Re: Luggage Rack (jerryp58)
Jerry you started to answer my question before I asked it!
My 77 had a factory rack, but someone removed it. They put some sort of rivets/buttons in the holes before it was painted. The only reason I would put a new one on is because that T-Top holder is so cool :lol:
But how long does it take to remove/install? Does it just require normal hand tools? I would hate to polish and wax around it.
My 77 had a factory rack, but someone removed it. They put some sort of rivets/buttons in the holes before it was painted. The only reason I would put a new one on is because that T-Top holder is so cool :lol:
But how long does it take to remove/install? Does it just require normal hand tools? I would hate to polish and wax around it.
Parrothead
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 48,231
Likes: 289
From: Margaritaville Embassy
St. Jude Donor '08-'09,'13, '14
Re: Luggage Rack (OHSIXX)
it comes down to color for me. the darker colors it looks awesome. I love the chrome accent on a black car. on your white? I'd pass.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 2
From: Round Rock, Texas, USA Texas
Re: Luggage Rack (OHSIXX)
I'm with jerryp58 - rather not have mine.
I take it off during the winter, use some button allen head screws in the holes (wonder where they are now after my recent move?) and strap it back on for t-top storage durig the summer.
After reading the "holes aways come back" stories my next Vette (second Vete that is - there could never be a replacement for the "nothing fancy"'77) will be without a luggage rack.
I take it off during the winter, use some button allen head screws in the holes (wonder where they are now after my recent move?) and strap it back on for t-top storage durig the summer.
After reading the "holes aways come back" stories my next Vette (second Vete that is - there could never be a replacement for the "nothing fancy"'77) will be without a luggage rack.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: Luggage Rack (Jim 77)
"how long does it take to remove/install? Does it just require normal hand tools?"
I don't know if mine if factory or not, but for whatever I do have, it's not too bad to take off or put back on.
A Phillips head screw driver is all that is necessary. The bolts insert into a nut held in a rubber grommet that I assume expands in the hole when tightened. I can try to get you a picture if you like, but it's essentially the same as my passenger mirror http://users.erols.com/jerryp58/corv...or/Image11.jpg
I think it's possible that after removing/reinstalling it several times, I've worn the rubber to the point where it's not a terribly tight fit.
I think I might get some of the buttons (where do I get those things guys?) and see what it looks like.
I hope this helps.
Jerry
I don't know if mine if factory or not, but for whatever I do have, it's not too bad to take off or put back on.
A Phillips head screw driver is all that is necessary. The bolts insert into a nut held in a rubber grommet that I assume expands in the hole when tightened. I can try to get you a picture if you like, but it's essentially the same as my passenger mirror http://users.erols.com/jerryp58/corv...or/Image11.jpg
I think it's possible that after removing/reinstalling it several times, I've worn the rubber to the point where it's not a terribly tight fit.
I think I might get some of the buttons (where do I get those things guys?) and see what it looks like.
I hope this helps.
Jerry
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,555
Likes: 257
From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Re: Luggage Rack (jerryp58)
I will have to get really bored to do it, but I do like the look!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Re: Luggage Rack (OHSIXX)
Here's a tip on installing a rack. Don't use a regular drill bit. A regular drill bit bores a hole from the middle to the outside of the hole. With fiberglass this results in some tearing and sometimes the hole isn't perfectly round. Go to Sears or a home center and get a Forstner bit. These are used to bore wood and cut from the outside to the center. The holes you make with this will be perfectly round and will let the well plugs fit a lot snugger.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 5,210
Likes: 104
From: Fort Worth TX
St. Jude Donor '06
Father & Son St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Luggage Rack (vettfixr)
. . . When I painted the car I filled in the holes with fiberglass and for about the first 2 or 3 months it looked great. But after a while the repair started to show and nothing I did made the telltale marks go away . . .
Any ideas or techniques would be appreciated.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,581
Likes: 28
From: Spring, Texas
Re: Luggage Rack (OHSIXX)
All three of the sharks I have owned had the rack from the factory, and I like the look of them against dark colors on 68-73 (more chrome and accents bumpers). On light colors and/or 74-up, they just don't look quite as good. JMHO.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,209
Likes: 33
From: Texas-out west
Re: Luggage Rack (SharkAttack)
Racks were not factory installed, at least on 68-73. put on by dealers. I have one, but would rather not since I never use it. I have medium blue car. :D (Mulsanne blue) :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,807
Likes: 0
From: Hoosier
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Luggage Rack (LT1driver)
We do a lot of traveling in mine. There's always something on the rack, the tops or a duffel bag. It makes stops between a laundrymat a lot longer. :)
