Astro7

Does anyone have any pics of a 80 to 82 with this option (RPO V54) intalled? I recently purchased one new in the box and am debating on intalling it without seeing what it actually looks like on the car with the roof panels on it. I don't recall ever seeing one on a 80 to 82 coupe. So if anyone has any pics of a late shark with this option please post them. Thanks.


[Modified by Astro7, 9:57 AM 1/17/2003]

NHvette

I've never even heard of them. Are they brackets that mount on the back, similar
to the luggage rack brackets for older C3s ?


:seeya

Astro7

Yeah Dave. It's one center bracket over the gas filler door and then two small brackets on either side of the rear deck. It's 3 peices plus the two straps that attach to the brackets and hold the roof panels in place.

Gator81

I've got a couple pics of mine that I will e-mail to you right now. You can post them here if you want. I can't post pics from behind my corporate firewall.

Just two comments. The black plastic things (what do you call them? they're like sockets, about 1" in diameter) that you have to sink into your car by drilling holes - they look a little out of place on a light colored car, but on a dark one I don't think you'd notice at all.

As for the rack itself, it attaches to those sockets, but it also has pads that rest directly on the painted surface. My paint was messed up badly in those spots from vibration rubbing. Since I repainted the car, I only put the racks on with something between the pads and the paint. I've used small round felt pads, but someone suggested using some of that clear plastic stuff like you can get to protect your fenders from stone chips.

SuperFast80

Can I see those pics too?

fvolpe@impressus.ca :cheers:

Astro7

Thank you very much Gator81. That's exactly what I wanted to see. Here are the pics for everyone to see. In the diagram that came with the carrier, it seems that the panels ride with the front edge pointed down/back positon in the carrier. Great advice about the rubber pads on the bottom of the carrier.

Magnum '82

Re: clear plastic. I bought some at my motorcycle dealer. They use it over the number plates on the motocross bikes. It is the cheapest price for this product that I could find. I got it for when I put my canoe carrier on my truck.

SharkByte

My car came originally with the T-Top racks but they have long since disappeared in one of the multitudes of owners before me's garages. I've been looking for a set for two years and always been told no one made them aftermarket:( would you mind sharing where you found them and how much they cost please? I really want a set myself:)


[Modified by SharkByte, 10:24 PM 1/18/2003]

kruzzzn

yes... have been looking for a set too
:cool:

Astro7

I found it on Ebay. It's not aftermarket but rather original GM. It was offered as a complete kit just like the factory intalled unit. It was still in the original GM box and came with the GM instalation diagrams. It even has the corvette script on the strap handles and *****. It cost me $202. It was offered as option RPO V54 from 80 to 82 and cost $144 at the end of the C3 run. I don't see this item come up for sale very often but I would try looking for it at the swap meets like Carlise or maybe even placing a WTB <want to buy> ad in this forums' classifieds. Or you can do what I did and keep an eye out for one on Ebay.

chucks

Here you are guys http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6763

SharkByte

Lol, wish me luck... I've seen a few e-bay auctions for them but they always seem to go for $600.00 and I don't want them half that bad:)

'79ProwlerOrange

if you didnt have to put holes in the body, id be all over that. :cool:

98RKC

Wow those look a lot like the rare "ski racks" on this vette on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6168

Astro7

Yeah, that's the 'ski' racks alright. Here that 'rare' pic of it.

dplantz

if you did not install would be interested