Luggage rack...yes or no..?

[r1_addict]

I am getting ready to send my 73 out to the body shop to be stripped and painted. It has a factory luggage rack. I am not to fond of it and I am considering filling the holes. In my opinion it is a matter of personal taste and not a big deal if I alter that option.

Your thoughts??

 

[clar2001]

with out cleaner look

 

[resto75]

Now wouild be the time to get rid it then. I kind of like mine but some people dont. If you decide to keep it and are going to replace it with a new one, get the new one first before it gets painted as the mounting holes can differ depending on the manufacturer.

Roy

 

[Piet]

Do you have any kind of removable top(s)?
(And is it used for top storage?)

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Do what makes YOU happy.

If you don't use it and don't like the look, remove it.

bobchad has the luggage rack on his '77 and it also has a NIFTY attachment that he can connect and strap his t-tops to. If I had a flat-back window C3, I would definitely think the luggage rack and t-top holder/straps would be a must have.
Heidi

 

[Bob Chadwick]

If I have read it once, I've read it 100 times. Those holes that you are talking about filling will be visible at some point after the car is painted.

 

[Vette/Berlina-coupe]

Great shot of the Luggage-rack functionality...

-the holes shouldn't ever show-up if you 45*-taper the holes so that any physical-pressure applied from the exterior cannot dislodge what essentially amounts to a tapered-plug made up by application of the grilla-hair type of preparation available at auto-supplies and even HomeDumpo's/paint-dept. as i recall; --then let the catalyzed repair sit in the sun for a couple of days before you work it flush via a jitterbug-sander. If you rush the job, without letting it "cure/bake" in the sun, then yes at some point you probably will see sink-holes where the resins have shrunk...
~Bob Vonheck
:duh ad :cool

 

[Brutus]

You can see on the fibreglass page of my web site some pics of my luggage rack removal. Ditch the thing.....they're ugly!http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/brutus/Glassworks/index.shtml

 

[resto75]

Sherry, I don't think I would sit on your rack too many times, the fiberglass under it is 25 years old and might crack. The holes drilled into the glass for the rack wouldn't make it any stronger either.

 

[phrogs]

Get rid of it!

If the person doing the fiberglass knows what they are doing it will never show up

and BTW it was a dealer installed option so they are not all created equal!

I would ditch it and never look back!

johnny

 

[FlyingFinn]

Keep it

I didn't initially like the rack when I purchased my '73, but it grew on me. Now I think a flat-window Shark looks a bit "naked" without it. As others have commented, it adds a nice touch of refined chrome, especially to chrome-bumper Sharks (up to '73 that is , so obviously I'm biased).

I've never yet used it for t-top or other storage, though. I wouldn't feel secure strapping anything to the rack. So I think the practicality is somewhat dubious, and you should make the choice based on whether you like the look or not.

Regards,
Arto

 

[Michel73]

Just me but I think they look much better with no rack :cool I heard some people say that the 73 is the last year of the "Shark Tail" and I will have to agree


Save the Wave

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Luggage Rack for T-Tops

I've never yet used it for t-top or other storage, though. I wouldn't feel secure strapping anything to the rack.

Check out bobchad's picture, there is a 'thing' attached to the center of the luggage rack, that is where the tips on the t-tops (the ones that go in the cross brace) go and the straps snug everything to the rack.
A person would need the t-top thing installed on their luggage rack for it to work.

Bob has also commented that with the tops snugged down on his luggage rack, the air flowing over his '77 continues over the tops on the rack, so there is no air getting underneath that would try to flip them off the rack.
Heidi

 

[C3forME]

Ditch it! I yanked mine off the car as soon as I got it. I too think it's ugly and takes away from the look of the car.

 

[r1_addict]

Off it goes!!!

 

[Michel73]

Smart move Bill. Are you staying with the Elkheart Green? That is a nice color


Save the Wave

 

[JBWeaver]

I took mine off, and filled the holes with some plastic plugs that match the paint "white" from a hardware store. This way I can always put it back if I want.

 

[crebo]

JBWeaver
I really like that Idea. What size? Do you have a camera to take a close up. I have the same color as you. It will help me out a great deal.

I plan to get a paint job. Decided to go with the big block first.....
Crebo

 

[FlyingFinn]

Question about the t-top "thing"

Check out bobchad's picture, there is a 'thing' attached to the center of the luggage rack, that is where the tips on the t-tops (the ones that go in the cross brace) go and the straps snug everything to the rack. A person would need the t-top thing installed on their luggage rack for it to work.

Heidi,

I think I see what you mean (from the pic). But does this t-top holder "thing" have any name? Is/was it factory equipment?

I really always thought that you were supposed to strap the tops directly to the rack, and was somewhat appalled by that idea. Am I right in supposing that without this "rack thing" that would be a really bad idea?

Arto

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I've seen posts where people have put their T-tops in the bags and used bungee cords to attach them. It works but I wanted the original look.