Topic: luggage racks
in Forum: C3 Body
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Lifetime MemberEquinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2466
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
Question for anyone, my 72' has holes in deck lid for a luggage rack. Is it normal for convertables to have a rear rack? I have found two on the net that show racks. I am in the process of going back to original condition, to include color change. It looks as if the holes are pluged and repainted. Can I, or is there a way to find out if the car came with a rack, or if they were an option? Thanks.
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Luggage racks were dealer installed only...not available from the factory, until the late '70s.('79, I think) Those were only designed to hold the t-tops, tho.
You can plug the holes in your deck, if you want. Just be sure to put the first "patch" on the underside of the deck, and let it harden properly. Then you can fill the top side, and not have to worry about the patch sinking into the hole.
It's gonna be real hard to get it to where the holes will never be seen. Eventually, they will show thu, over time. The better job done of fixing it to start with, the longer it will look nice.
You can plug the holes in your deck, if you want. Just be sure to put the first "patch" on the underside of the deck, and let it harden properly. Then you can fill the top side, and not have to worry about the patch sinking into the hole.
It's gonna be real hard to get it to where the holes will never be seen. Eventually, they will show thu, over time. The better job done of fixing it to start with, the longer it will look nice.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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Luggage racks were an option. The only way that I know of to determine whether your car had one when brand new is to find a build sheet somewhere in the car (unless you have other original documentation). I don't know if they were installed at the factory or at the dealership.
Norsky 2007-11-14 11:25:34
(Dang - 'Hot fingers Joel' beat me to an answer - AGAIN...!!! 
)
)
Jim Olson 
"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave! 
Put a luggage rack on it like Norsky's. With a '72 vert, space for your suitcase with the top down is non-existant.
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If you do decide to go with a rack, you may need to look at both the 6 and 8 hole designs to see which matches up best to the holes that are already there.
I replaced my existing 6 hole a couple of years ago with an 8 hole one. It matched up exactly with the holes that were there and I only need to drill the other two, one of these days.
I did try a 6 hole and it was way off. Apparently there have been many different makers of these over the past 30+ years.
(oh; and get the stainless one)
good luck
[QUOTE=Norsky]...The only way that I know of to determine whether your car had one when brand new is to find a build sheet somewhere in the car (unless you have other original documentation). I don't know if they were installed at the factory or at the dealership....[/QUOTE]
Most of the luggage racks were dealer installed options and will not be on a build sheet. The V54 optional roof panels carriers are exceptions; they were installed at the factory; ditto for the 77 racks with roof panel carriers. Installed at the factory can also be taken with a grain of salt. The holes and button down points on the rear desk were done at the factory. The actual racks/carriers were shipped with the car, in the rear storage area, and installed by dealers as part of dealer prep.
(large images modified to links)Adams' Apple 2007-11-14 20:27:16
Most of the luggage racks were dealer installed options and will not be on a build sheet. The V54 optional roof panels carriers are exceptions; they were installed at the factory; ditto for the 77 racks with roof panel carriers. Installed at the factory can also be taken with a grain of salt. The holes and button down points on the rear desk were done at the factory. The actual racks/carriers were shipped with the car, in the rear storage area, and installed by dealers as part of dealer prep.
.
(large images modified to links)
Lifetime MemberDeBerry, TX - USA
Joined: 2/27/2002
Posts: 1006
Vette(s): 1971 383 Stroker- mille miglia red...5 speed
Just curious Dennis. Why the stainless over chrome, other than it won't rust? Plan on getting one some day. You can see where mine had one at one time, like Joel said, the patch shows.
I know the voices aren't real, but they have some pretty cool ideas... 
Lifetime MemberEquinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2466
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
Hey, Thanks for the input. I think I will put it on. The holes will look muuuch better.
Lifetime MemberGreensburg, IN - USA
Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5188
Vette(s): Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...
I use my rack constantly. I usually have fold up lawn chairs on it. for longer trips the tool & clean up bag usually joins the chairs.
Tuxblacray 2007-11-14 17:40:35
in Forum: C3 Body
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