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Topic: Luggage rack - Opinions wanted

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Re: Luggage rack - Opinions wanted (8/18)
6/23/16 8:24am

manchestershark

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Equinunk, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.

Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2387

Just as an F.Y.I., the luggage racks were NEVER original equipment. They were a dealer added option. So..... not all dealers got the same rack or the same bolt pattern. When we painted my car, all holes were redone and filled. THEN redrilled for the new Corvette America chrome rack. It has held up well and looks good. It's just for asthetics, not much weight is designed to be on them. No support underneath them. Very pleased with mine.

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Re: Luggage rack - Opinions wanted (9/18)
6/23/16 12:25pm

Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

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

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20128

Yes, all luggage racks were available as dealer installed options directly from GM. But....the dealers also had outside vendors for them also. Add that to the fact that GM used more than one vendor over the years to supply the racks to the dealers, you can start to see just how you can wind up with so many different variations on them. Unfortunately, most of the variations are so far off from one another that it's next to impossible to mix-match the different vendor's racks easily. Ouch

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Joel Adams
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Re: Luggage rack - Opinions wanted (10/18)
6/24/16 2:12am

daveo76
Former Member
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.

Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

Thanks, guys. I'm convinced on the variability. I knew they were all dealer installed, but I thought that they were all from one or two GM approved suppliers. I didn't know the part about some dealers sourcing their own racks. Here's something I found on Willcox's site. Not sure how accurate it all is, but interesting. He insists there was just one rack supplier. But he also insists that there was no or very minimal variability in the hole spacing dimensions which goes against what many of you all have found!

http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/1968-1982-corvette-luggage-rack-original-gm-or-repro-history-updated/

Willcox, Corvette Central, Ecklers, probably others, all post exact dimensions of the hole spacings for their racks on the web. At first I was excited - my rack matches the 14 1/4" short dimension that most post exactly, but I am definitely longer on the long dimension - they post 38" exactly and that dim on mine is more like 38 3/8". Short version: you guys are correct in that I better be sure I want to keep that rack forever before I drill those holes!

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1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.

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Re: Luggage rack - Opinions wanted (11/18)
6/24/16 10:22am

nextdoor76
Former Member
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Kimberling City, MO - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Stingray

Joined: 12/2/2012
Posts: 49

I always wanted a rack also, for T-tops or luggage. Went with Corvette America stainless steel which matches my trim and rims. Dull from age! No whole for top holder, so luggage and chairs will be on it...LOL.

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Re: Luggage rack - Opinions wanted (12/18)
6/24/16 1:15pm

vettejack

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Titusville, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1977 Coupe (White), 2006 Convertible (Victory Red). NCM Life Member #2221.

Joined: 12/19/2007
Posts: 154

I would get the stainless steel one...of which I've installed the 8 hole one on the wife's '77. I'll be getting the strap and brackets as well so I can actually use the rack for carrying the T-Tops. Besides...it's a very sexy look! Wink

|UPDATED|6/24/2016 10:15:13 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

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Re: Luggage rack - Opinions wanted (13/18)
7/11/16 2:01am

Thanks for all the opinions and info, everyone.

Well, I pulled the trigger in the last few days and installed the one I have, for better or worse. Those that recommended I not install or buy a different one - please don't think I ignored your advice. I did take drilling those holes very seriously, knowing that it may be difficult to match up a different rack in the future. However, I have a few options. 1) Live with it. (I think it looks pretty cool, blemishes and all. But in direct sunlight the different hues on the bars do show.) 2) Get it re-chromed. It's only money! 3) Replace it. I agree with y'all on the variability, but my rack does match pretty close on the hole spacing dims published by both Ecklers and Corvette Central. In one dimension, it is identical and in the other the holes I drilled would only be out about 1/8." The long screws and rubber well-nuts should accommodate that.

I also wanted to correct something in my original post. I attributed the gift of the mounting hardware to Alan (Knotacare) when I should have attributed it to Dick (VetteCountry). I had been PM'ing with Alan as well as Dick since Alan offered to help us with a contact at the LeMay museum for the Gathering. Thanks, Alan for that and thanks, Dick, for the mounting hardware - all of which I used! It matches the "vintage" of my rack pretty well!

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1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.

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Re: Luggage rack - Opinions wanted (14/18)
7/11/16 1:11pm

Vman73
Former Member
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Gig Harbor, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1973 L82 4 Speed Coupe - Very original, well documented driver/survivor. 2016 Bend Regional NCRS Top Flight.

Joined: 10/2/2014
Posts: 405

Dave, I think it looks great !! A bit of a head rush looking at the pics, but it looks great. See you on Wednesday.

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John Sigmund

valkman57@sbcglobal.net

NCRS Member 61302

NW NCRS Chapter Member

Duct tape is the new Black !!

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Re: Luggage rack - Opinions wanted (15/18)
2/9/23 9:56am

mikey8
Limited Member
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Vette(s):
1973 red Convertible/ white top with dark red interior 454 with 4 speed

Joined: 12/1/2021
Posts: 5

I know old thread, but I was considering one too. I didn’t know they made them in stainless. I will have to look into that. Is one better than the other?

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God Bless Our Troops!

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Re: Luggage rack - Opinions wanted (16/18)
2/9/23 11:57am

manchestershark

Hi, I have a stainless one, and am Very happy with it. Once in a great while, each spring, I have to use steel wool around the screw heads, as some oxidation starts to show.

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Re: Luggage rack - Opinions wanted (17/18)
2/22/23 1:12pm

Steevo
Limited Member
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San Diego, CA - USA

Vette(s):
'73 L48 Coupe, 383, M20, A/C, Electric Windows. Matterhorn White Jet-Glo w/ Dark Blue interior. Rochester, Edelbrock, Blackjack Ceramics, Borlas w/ 2.5" mandrel X over, Cooper Cobras on both OEM Steel and Aluminum Wheels.

Joined: 11/10/2013
Posts: 53

I found a used chrome rack that had some pitting, and since I wanted some contrast, bought it and had it powder coated flat black.

Just me. 😊

Steve

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Re: Luggage rack - Opinions wanted (18/18)
2/22/23 1:28pm

manchestershark

WOW! The black looks nice. Need a closer shot. Contrast is Very Nice! I chucked my old one. Needed more that power coating. More like a Powder Charge, and a small piece of fuse. Some of the bolts and retainers were worth saving, so they are in a bag, SOMEWHERE!

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