Fitted Luggage?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 741
Likes: 47
From: Indianapolis IN
Originally Posted by VinnieR
So the wife and I are planning another weekend outing and we will be packing in the few pieces of luggage that will fit with the top down. It occurred to me that high-end cars decades ago used to come with fitted luggage that used every inch of the available trunk space, were matched and, often, carried the logo of Dusenberg, Packard, etc. With the limited space available for luggage (particularly if you leave room for top down touring), maximazing the available space would be great.
Anyone ever heard of fitted luggage for vette verts?
Anyone ever heard of fitted luggage for vette verts?
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 2
From: ZHills Florida
St. Jude Donor '08
I spoke with my friend today and he is interested in this project. So as not to inconvenience anyone he wants to build a set for my FRC first so I agreed to pay for materials and to help out with measuring and fitting. I dont need a set of luggage but I'll take one for the Team and to help out my friend, this could be just the thing for him. 
As far as cost, I couldnt pin him to a number just yet. It will depend on how complicated it gets with straps and pockets, to quote him "Every time you add a pocket, it's 25 bucks." I will let you know as soon as I can pin him to an estimated price.
Cordura comes in a lot of colors and I dont imagine they would exactly match GM paint but colors are possible. I'm going to get the first set made black or grey to match either the interior or exterior of my car.
As far as embroidered logos go, he doesnt want to step on any GM toes with trademarks and such but he is willing to sew on licenced patches if desired.
The time frame? He wont be able to start for two weeks due to prior commitments.
If anyone who is interested in this want to throw in suggestions as to what features you'd want or how you would like these to be made. Post away here (if that's OK with Vinnie).
As far as cost, I couldnt pin him to a number just yet. It will depend on how complicated it gets with straps and pockets, to quote him "Every time you add a pocket, it's 25 bucks." I will let you know as soon as I can pin him to an estimated price.
Cordura comes in a lot of colors and I dont imagine they would exactly match GM paint but colors are possible. I'm going to get the first set made black or grey to match either the interior or exterior of my car.
As far as embroidered logos go, he doesnt want to step on any GM toes with trademarks and such but he is willing to sew on licenced patches if desired.
The time frame? He wont be able to start for two weeks due to prior commitments.
If anyone who is interested in this want to throw in suggestions as to what features you'd want or how you would like these to be made. Post away here (if that's OK with Vinnie).
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas 2005 National Champs in Football and Baseball.
Super. Post away. I've been on a weekend outing with the Longhorn Corvette Club through some of the greatest "Corvette roads" in the country. Just got back.
It's great that you're ready to take on a set for the FRC as a guinea pig, so to speak. A set that would fit that might be just right for the vert too.
I wouldn't want logos for me anyway. And the simpler the better as far as pockets and straps, in my view. A handle and recessed wheels would be useful if that's possible.
Please keep us posted on how its going. I'm convinced there's a market out there for this, particularly when I had to choose between clean underwear or clean socks for this weekend. Couldn't have both becase all the other space was full of my wife's stuff.
It's great that you're ready to take on a set for the FRC as a guinea pig, so to speak. A set that would fit that might be just right for the vert too.
I wouldn't want logos for me anyway. And the simpler the better as far as pockets and straps, in my view. A handle and recessed wheels would be useful if that's possible.
Please keep us posted on how its going. I'm convinced there's a market out there for this, particularly when I had to choose between clean underwear or clean socks for this weekend. Couldn't have both becase all the other space was full of my wife's stuff.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 2
From: ZHills Florida
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by VinnieR
Super. Post away. I've been on a weekend outing with the Longhorn Corvette Club through some of the greatest "Corvette roads" in the country. Just got back.
It's great that you're ready to take on a set for the FRC as a guinea pig, so to speak. A set that would fit that might be just right for the vert too.
I wouldn't want logos for me anyway. And the simpler the better as far as pockets and straps, in my view. A handle and recessed wheels would be useful if that's possible.
Please keep us posted on how its going. I'm convinced there's a market out there for this, particularly when I had to choose between clean underwear or clean socks for this weekend. Couldn't have both becase all the other space was full of my wife's stuff.
It's great that you're ready to take on a set for the FRC as a guinea pig, so to speak. A set that would fit that might be just right for the vert too.
I wouldn't want logos for me anyway. And the simpler the better as far as pockets and straps, in my view. A handle and recessed wheels would be useful if that's possible.
Please keep us posted on how its going. I'm convinced there's a market out there for this, particularly when I had to choose between clean underwear or clean socks for this weekend. Couldn't have both becase all the other space was full of my wife's stuff.
My understanding is the vert trunk and FRC trunk are virtually the same until the top goes down. Is that true? I spoke with him last night again and he's very interested in the project. We talked about doing some 'luggage research' and maybe buying a piece or two and taking it apart to see what can or should be done. As far as wheels, I dont know. I wouldnt even know where to get them but with the internet, I suppose I could try and find out.
Some questions I have for you guys:
1. How interested are you in smaller bags to fit in the compartments?
2. Are the wheels really important?
3. Divide the main trunk into two or three compartments? (I think three, two smaller for the sides and one large for the center)
4. Any interest in a set of two or three bags to fit in the place a 'vette tray' would? (in front of the partition)
5. Any interest in a bag for one of the compartments made as a road emergency bag with all the bits like a first aid kit etc? What stuff would you like to see in it?
Please post any and all suggestions you have for this project here. We're starting from scratch so it's all good.
Last edited by burbleflyer; Apr 2, 2006 at 09:50 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas 2005 National Champs in Football and Baseball.
Good questions. I just read this a few minutes before starting work, so I'll get back to you this afternoon with some thoughts. Let's hope this project can pick up some steam.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas 2005 National Champs in Football and Baseball.
For the trunk area proper and for a vert, I'd opt for two bags which took up the available space from the the taillight cover to the back edge of the folded convertible top. Those would obviously fit the FRC as well. For the FRC and vert, if the top was staying up, a third bag that fit in front of those would seem to make sense. That would be three bags total for the FRC and two for the vert with an option to use the FRC's third bag if the top weren't going down or you could store the bags in the motel before dropping the top.
No wheels would not be a show stopper for me.
As for the compartments, I think they are too small to merit using a bag. Thats where tools and other assorted junk winds up (so it doesn't get thrown around inside the car) and is used all the time. I see the fitted pieces being used for trips basically.
Hope someone else has a idea or two. I'll bet if these fitted bags were in Mid America's catalog, they would already have sold a 1000 sets.
No wheels would not be a show stopper for me.
As for the compartments, I think they are too small to merit using a bag. Thats where tools and other assorted junk winds up (so it doesn't get thrown around inside the car) and is used all the time. I see the fitted pieces being used for trips basically.
Hope someone else has a idea or two. I'll bet if these fitted bags were in Mid America's catalog, they would already have sold a 1000 sets.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,138
Likes: 11
From: Fremont CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Originally Posted by TomT
I've got a vert for doing the measuring and fitting. Where in Florida is this taking place? I am near Ocala. (i.e. 60 mi. North of Orlando or 70 miles West of Daytona.)
Originally Posted by burbleflyer
He's up near Dade City.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 2
From: ZHills Florida
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by VinnieR
For the trunk area proper and for a vert, I'd opt for two bags which took up the available space from the the taillight cover to the back edge of the folded convertible top. Those would obviously fit the FRC as well. For the FRC and vert, if the top was staying up, a third bag that fit in front of those would seem to make sense. That would be three bags total for the FRC and two for the vert with an option to use the FRC's third bag if the top weren't going down or you could store the bags in the motel before dropping the top.
No wheels would not be a show stopper for me.
As for the compartments, I think they are too small to merit using a bag. Thats where tools and other assorted junk winds up (so it doesn't get thrown around inside the car) and is used all the time. I see the fitted pieces being used for trips basically.
Hope someone else has a idea or two. I'll bet if these fitted bags were in Mid America's catalog, they would already have sold a 1000 sets.
No wheels would not be a show stopper for me.
As for the compartments, I think they are too small to merit using a bag. Thats where tools and other assorted junk winds up (so it doesn't get thrown around inside the car) and is used all the time. I see the fitted pieces being used for trips basically.
Hope someone else has a idea or two. I'll bet if these fitted bags were in Mid America's catalog, they would already have sold a 1000 sets.
Speaking of the vert, a friend I hadnt seen in a couple years shows up at work today and he just happens to be driving a 99 vert! What are the odds of that?
I checked out his trunk and the measurement to the back of the top when folded down is exactly one cubit.
He is also willing to spend an evening doing the measuring and he wants a set of bags too!I agree, the compartments are for crap, at least mine and Vinnies are. Perhaps later something can be done but lets focus on the luggage.
More questions:
1. I have the partition so that's how I see the space in back. Do you guys see the third bag going all the way to the back of the seats or to the partition?
2. Would you like the bags to open from the tall side or the flat side? Let me try to explain that better: If the bags are laying in the trunk, would you prefer the zippers to be on top or around the sides?
Last edited by burbleflyer; Apr 3, 2006 at 11:40 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas 2005 National Champs in Football and Baseball.
It seems logical to me to have the bags open on the top with a zipper or something similar. That way one could get into the bag without actually taking it out of the trunk.
As for the third bag, if I understand you correctly, it should go only to the partition IMO. Need a little space behind the seat back for maps, jackets, caps etc.
I'm really getting pumped about this project and hope we can get others involved. When I get back from work this afternoon, I'm going to start a new thread that picks up where we are and where we are going and see if we can get some momentum started. An early rough estimate on price would be nice if you can get one. Very rough is good enough for now.
As for the third bag, if I understand you correctly, it should go only to the partition IMO. Need a little space behind the seat back for maps, jackets, caps etc.
I'm really getting pumped about this project and hope we can get others involved. When I get back from work this afternoon, I'm going to start a new thread that picks up where we are and where we are going and see if we can get some momentum started. An early rough estimate on price would be nice if you can get one. Very rough is good enough for now.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,108
Likes: 24,732
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Mid-America and Ecklers used to sell some luggage pieces that at least had Corvette/a logo on them. Check with them and see if they still offer the products.
