The '82 CE has glass tops, I don't know about putting them on those racks? The racks are not GM, they are aftermarket, so if he wants to keep his CE original don't go putting holes in the back deck.

The racks are, in fact, original.  Look in the black book.  About 3700 or so of them made so if they aren't in the car, they weren't ordered.

I will tell you that they do tend to buffet and will leave some marring that buffs out.

My set is black, but has the 82CE bag so if your friend does still want them and finds a set with a black bag, then I would be willing to switch bags with him.

My sig pic has the tops mounted in the racks.  The real ones say Corvette on them, both on the outboard mounts and on the center rack.

I paid around $300 for mine a year ago on ebay.
dnv2008-03-14 17:15:23

Sorry, I thought they stooped when they went to the big rear window.

Yep, I figured it out when I bought my car and was trying to decide why they had those holes back there and how they could possibly work.  They are basically a big lug that is threaded down the middle.

The end pieces use the outboard holes, the central piece uses the two inboard holes and rests on the glass as well.  there are two sets of straps that tie it all together.  Ingenious if not efficient, if not effective.

I'll tell him to keep looking.Thanks for all the help

According to the black book, 1982 Option code V54 Roof Panel Carrier, 1,992 Quantity made @ $144.00.  No comment in black book about this option not being available on the CE. 

Since they are easily removable, and you can't use them like a regular pre-1978 luggage rack, and since mine came with a gold bag that matches a CE car, I would suspect they could have been ordered on them. 

The only way to know for sure is find a CE with the lugs already in the glass.

I have seen Black, Red and blue bags as well.  Don't know if there were other colors.

If the holes are in the deck, chances are, they are original.  My paint guy said it would be rough to try and fill the holes, given how large (somewhat bigger than a .25 cent piece size). the hole is for them.  He said any fill anyone did, even laying in the glass would cause cracking over time.

Does your friends car have the lugs?  If not, I would strongly suspect that it didn't come with that option.

yeah he has the lugs.