Luggage rack removal
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco CA
Luggage rack removal
Hello fellow ‘Vette enthusiasts!
A quick question for the experts out there- I am currently in the market for a “Vette, sold my ’78 (dumb move) and now I need another one. Found out it’s the only car that gets me in the gut. Well, ok, some Shelby’s and some GTO’s, but basically the ‘Vette still comes out on top for me. Anyway, a few contenders for my hard earned $’s have crossed my cross-hairs, but a couple of them had them luggage racks on the back deck. Well, I can’t stand those silly-*** looking things with a passion, but I hate to blow off what is otherwise a strong contender. A side question, do you think anybody ever used those luggage racks? Driving around with a suitcase bungeed on the back? Strange idea… imho.
So, what’s the deal with luggage rack removal? I doubt it’s very hard, but what are you left with afterwards? If anybody has a before/after picture series, I’m sure I’m not the only one who would be interested in seeing it.
Thanks much.
A quick question for the experts out there- I am currently in the market for a “Vette, sold my ’78 (dumb move) and now I need another one. Found out it’s the only car that gets me in the gut. Well, ok, some Shelby’s and some GTO’s, but basically the ‘Vette still comes out on top for me. Anyway, a few contenders for my hard earned $’s have crossed my cross-hairs, but a couple of them had them luggage racks on the back deck. Well, I can’t stand those silly-*** looking things with a passion, but I hate to blow off what is otherwise a strong contender. A side question, do you think anybody ever used those luggage racks? Driving around with a suitcase bungeed on the back? Strange idea… imho.
So, what’s the deal with luggage rack removal? I doubt it’s very hard, but what are you left with afterwards? If anybody has a before/after picture series, I’m sure I’m not the only one who would be interested in seeing it.
Thanks much.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Edmonds WA
Hey I saw a 75 corvette convertible for sale on ebay today that had small plug/caps on the rear deck that were consistent with the luggage rack mounting holes. The caps didn't look too bad and matched the maroon paint.
You can see the photos if you do a search on ebay motors for 1975 convertibles.
Good luck!
(P.S. I bought a 75 convertible in California on Friday and drove it home to Washington state over the weekend. What a great surprise for my wife.)
You can see the photos if you do a search on ebay motors for 1975 convertibles.
Good luck!
(P.S. I bought a 75 convertible in California on Friday and drove it home to Washington state over the weekend. What a great surprise for my wife.)
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Originally Posted by ggrice
Hello fellow ‘Vette enthusiasts!
A quick question for the experts out there- ...
A side question, do you think anybody ever used those luggage racks? ...
Thanks much.
A quick question for the experts out there- ...
A side question, do you think anybody ever used those luggage racks? ...
Thanks much.
In a 68-77, if you want to pick up a girlfriend at the airport, you need to find out how much luggage she has before going due to the limited storage space. If you ever need to move a wheel & tire in a 68-77 w/o a rack, good luck.
You can get black plugs from an electronics shop to allow putting the rack back on, which looks a lot better than it sounds.
The t-tops can be put on the 77 rack & will stay on at 100+.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
Likes: 9
From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
Removing the luggage rack is no big deal, just undo the mounting screws. Plugging the holes, however, is a big deal. No matter what anyone tells you, you cannot just fill them in and paint; they will eventually show through the repair.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: river rouge michigan
umm
my luggage rack was the first to go and fix.... i v-grooved the holes as steep as i could and matt and resin underneath the hole and began laying matt and resin and sanding until smooth.... i had to drill out a few tiny air bubbles so it wouldn't "pit" after a year or so.
cryzko
cryzko
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 12,065
Likes: 2
From: Smalltownville Michigan
Cruise-In 5, 6 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
my luggage rack was removed before I got my car. I asked a guy when i was getting paint quotes and he said that no matter how good of a job that you do to fill them, the bullseyes that are there afterwards are still visible. I do love my car in the semi monochromatic scheme that I have. As for storage in my 77, yes there's a pretty small area for luggage in the car when you store the T-tops in the back, but it's a trade off i'm willing to take.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 758
Likes: 14
From: Ville de la Baie Quebec. A winner is just a loser who tried again.
I have a hard time believing that the holes cannot be hidden in such a matter that you could never tell they were there. An expirienced professional body guy can do wonders, at least I know somebody who can. Maybe its because people do not realize the amount of time it takes to do a good job. Body work is an art, find a good arttist, and let him do his thing...........does this make sense,lololll 
The plugs are probably a good Idea....
The plugs are probably a good Idea....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 2
From: Beaverton, OR
Originally Posted by Michel B
I have a hard time believing that the holes cannot be hidden in such a matter that you could never tell they were there. An expirienced professional body guy can do wonders, at least I know somebody who can. Maybe its because people do not realize the amount of time it takes to do a good job. Body work is an art, find a good arttist, and let him do his thing...........does this make sense,lololll
The plugs are probably a good Idea....
The plugs are probably a good Idea....
I myself also cannot believe that it isn't possible to fill these holes in a satisfactory manner if you take enough care in what you are doing. Probably when I fill them on my car I'll learn that I don't have what it takes to do it properly, but I'm sure someone does. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
The real problem you face is in the use of dissimilar materials. The original body panels are SMC (Sheet Molded Compound). Repairs are typically made with Polyester fiberglass resin and cloth. The two expand and contract differently and when you're trying to fill a hole this leads to the edges showing after time and also a shallow dip. I've read that epoxy based resins are better but I haven't tried them so I can't comment. I tried filling the holes in my 74 twice and both time they showed up again after a few months. The only real cure is to replace the entire back panel.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: GA
vettefixr is correct. It can be patched... but paint work is necessary if you do not want to plug with caps. Mine was patch and you can see the indents. With the body off, I can see fiberglass was used to repair holes. Something you may need to live with... Don't get me wrong... the indents are not very visible. Unfortunately, as most of us are... being **** about your Corvette... just happens!
Anyone getting rid of their old rack... I don't think they look that bad... I already have pilot holes... hee hee
Anyone getting rid of their old rack... I don't think they look that bad... I already have pilot holes... hee hee
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by 6t9l4t6
...No matter what anyone tells you, you cannot just fill them in and paint; they will eventually show through the repair.
