Wee

Before I bought my 72 I prefered the look without the rack.....My 72 has one and I have looked at it so much it has grown on me....It will stay even if I repaint it someday.

Brian

0Willcox Corvette

Bat's.. I've not seen Steve's car in person... but I can assure you that if looked at close enough the ghost holes will show.

The issues as I stated above are the combination of the filler material and the constant shrinkage combined with the expansion and contraction ratio's being different.

I don't think that Alan's car had a rack.. I'd have to ask him but I don't believe he had one.

The racks were not a factory installed part, they were installed at the dealership and that's another story that I'm working with NCRS on right now. This publication drew their attention a few months ago..

http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/1...story-updated/

While this publication still needs to be updated (once again, Richard died a few years back in a horrible accident). it's still pretty close to being 100 percent correct.

I will say this.. Since 1973..... I've not found anyone that can hide a hole drilled in a top surround panel, or a rear deck panel that I couldn't find 6 months later regardless of color... But again... I'll also give my **** **** a pass saying that it depends on how hard you look... but you can find them.

Ernie

The13Bats

So that would apply to any bodywork on a c3 that penetrates the panel,
I will look closer from here on out....


Nice read, enjoyed that rack article,
So being a human with a drill installed these at a dealership,

Do you see any slightly cockeyed racks?

oldgto

THIS I would expect. And also being one of those "****" types...I`ll be subconciously checking that out every time I see a Vette with a rack on it now.... thanks for that Bats!

Bills17n72

I have a luggage rack in my garage ,but I just cant put it on!

car junkie

There is something about filling a perfect round hole in a small localized area that makes it different.

You should consider yourself lucky that this level of perfection is invisible to your eyes, it would make life a lot less stressful no doubt.

TexasTechDad

My wife was out in the Vette last week and a young guy shouted out "Nice Rack"... and our Vette doesn't even have one!?

D_Williams

Here is a pic of Alan's car with a rack and his repair method:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1594923050

Edit: To answer OP's question...

I (26) don't have one on my 70, but like the look of it as well as the utility. I do take my car on road trips fairly regularly and the extra storage space as well as the ability to take the tops off with the car full of luggage would be nice

74Ken

I like my rack.

Without it, I would have scratched the back deck by now and that would **** me off more.

Dynra Rockets

I love the luggage rack on my 69 lemans blue vert, The chrome fits.

Wee

I find it odd on how many different mounting locations they have been installed in....Almost seems there was no standard or maybe it was owner preference.....?

Brian

crawfish333

I am neutral about the luggage rack, but if I traveled in my C3 it would be a necessity. I have no plans to install one.

gungatim

Lots of cars had them, my triumph and mg's both had them.

I prefer the look without, but if you've ever wanted to take a cooler with you to the beach or a picnic, or take luggage with you on vacation, you'll soon see their use.

i'll take a luggage rack on a vette over a big ugly trailer hitch anyday...

rcread

I wouldn't put one on a car myself, but I've made the most of mine. I purchased this vintage Louis Vuitton suitcase and leather straps for it.

PainfullySlow

I have nothing but respect for others opiniond, it is just my preference to find a car without. There is no arguing that they are useful, and serve a purpose. I am sure that having one is very convenient but to me, a C3 is a exercise in inconvenience. To me, the early C3s are supposed to look and feel like an uncompromising beast of a car, under a sleek exterior.

To me having a luggage rack takes away from that feeling.


To each their own...

Now that actually doesn't look half bad

Tonio

I'm bringing my brother's LT-1 to the body shop this friday for a strip/repaint. It of course has a rack, and my plan was to have it removed. I totally understand the filler "shrinkage" issue. Question; what if the holes are repaired with fiberglass instead? Same shrinkage issue? If so, I will tell the shop to leave the rack holes alone.

Mr D.

It was a dealer installed item so it varied from dealer to dealer.

Rayhawk

I agree 100% plus....
Gravity plays a part as well to what you already stated.


Like you I also have a luggage rack on my '70 and hate it.
I've had this car 17 years.
Bought it from a close friend who owned it 20 years before me.
He loaded that rack many times in the early 80's when it was just transportation for him.
Some of the pictures already posted in this thread remind me of those days.

Rayhawk

In time it will show.
Too many forces making that happen

oldgto

My wife has a rack on her 65 Mustang, so NO RACK on the 71 Vette! I told her she`s just going to have to "travel light" and pack ONE small bag to throw behind the seats!