FIA Suitcase

[tkb289]

The story of the trunk bumps on the FIA car is part of the legend & lore of the Cobra.

Anyone out there actually have an FIA spec suitcase or know what the dimensions are? Curious as to what one looks like.

The Italians are famous for fitted luggage in exotic cars, any FIA owners ever try to fit an FIA suitcase in their Cobra?

[charles roybal]

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...41642243,d.eWU

[DougD]

Originally Posted by charles roybal

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...41642243,d.eWU

This link concerns the 427 car, which was altered by removing and replacing a piece in the panel between the passenger compartment and the trunk (boot).

The 289 FIA "bump" was actually two humps hammered into the trunk (boot) lid so the suitcase would fit. They were likely located by placing the "suitcase" in the trunk (boot) and slamming the lid.

[RodKnock]

Ruh roh. There goes Tim again.

[CSX3018]

Not Louis Vitton nor Gucci. An FIA plywood box.All cars in thouse years had to have space for the FIA wood box, Ford GT40,Ferrari P3/4 and Etc.

[Bernica]

I would look to the Master (Nedsel) for the most accurate information, or refer to your ever-handy World Registry. Other rumors include the Shelby team using a phonebook and a hammer to re-shape fenders at the track to fit their new tires. The lore will go on and on....

[Nedsel]

Nah. All that Nedsel guy has is an old Samsonite, of the wrong dimensions.

[mickmate]

The story goes while they were arguing with officials about the wooden (suitcase sized) box not fitting a mechanic lifted the boot lid and slammed it down. That was how the first one was formed and the FIA cars had them hammered in after that. Then there's the 427 FIA bump. I don't believe they were ever homologated but had the bump. I can't see them getting the FIA suitcase and a spare in that trunk, well maybe a smart car space saver spare.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by CSX3018

Not Louis Vitton nor Gucci. An FIA plywood box.All cars in thouse years had to have space for the FIA wood box, Ford GT40,Ferrari P3/4 and Etc.

So will the FIA wooden box fit into those two "luggage" holders either side of the GT40 MkII transaxle?
Cheers,
Glen

[CSX3018]

YES ! That is what the boxs were for.

RHM

[tkb289]

So a box the size of a suitcase, very interesting. Must have been a bit easier to shape the bumps in the trunk lid with a stout box to bang it against

Originally Posted by Bernica

I would look to the Master (Nedsel) for the most accurate information, or refer to your ever-handy World Registry. Other rumors include the Shelby team using a phonebook and a hammer to re-shape fenders at the track to fit their new tires. The lore will go on and on....

Originally Posted by Nedsel

Nah. All that Nedsel guy has is an old Samsonite, of the wrong dimensions.

I did a cursory look in the ever-handy registry and first pass through did not see any mention of dimensions ... can anyone point me to the right page, I have no doubt it's there

Any photos of a car going through tech inspection with said 'suitcase / box' back in the day?

[xb-60]

Tim, I saw something on CC a few days ago about the standard FIA trunk, but then lost it....so I looked on GT40s.com and this came up....

"Luggage dimension regs from 1969 Appendix J (FIA 1969 Appendix J) - The actual size of case is as per that in the 1962 regs where only 1 needed to be carried. Obviously the 1966 Mk11a had space for 2 suitcases which I assume are to this (FIA standard?)size:

Article 253-Prescriptions common to all cars of categories A and B
h) Luggage trunk: a covered space shall be provided which is an integral part of the coachwork but outside the space occupied by the passenger seats.

This space shall be such as to enable to carry without special difficulty a number of suit-cases, sheltered from rain or dirt which varies according to the cylinder-capacity of the engine equipping the car (see below), of the following minimum dimensions: 60 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm. (or 24"x16"x8"...GS)
Cylinder-capacity inferior or equal to 2,000 cc: 1 suit-case
Cylinder-capacity superior to 2,000 cc: 2 suit-cases"

Cheers,
Glen

[LightNFast]

It’s documented that (2) AC factory cars were prepared with FIA suitcase "dimples" (See Photos). The second modification was to enlarge the trunk base to allow the suitcase to fit upright (vertical) and further down into the trunk as shown. If you look closely at the photo (I have the full size), you can see the suitcase also fit horizontal and was held in place with a “bungee cord”. You can also see the bolts protruding out the bottom of the suitcase which originally held the suitcase upright. I think this also explains why some of the FIA cars had dimples while others didn’t.


As for the actual size of the suitcase – I have a copy of the original – “FIA Historic Racing Championships - Appendix J” both 1964 and 1965.

They state the following:

“270 - Luggage trunk

A covered space being an integral part of the coachwork but outside of the space occupied by the front seats, large enough to receive a trunk of
65 cm X 40 cm X 20 cm. minimum, besides the spare wheel, tools or the folded hood, shall be provided, excluding the spare wheel, tools or removed canopy.”

Hope this was helpful.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by LightNFast

It’s documented that (2) AC factory cars were prepared with FIA suitcase "dimples" (See Photos). The second modification was to enlarge the trunk base to allow the suitcase to fit upright (vertical) and further down into the trunk as shown. If you look closely at the photo (I have the full size), you can see the suitcase also fit horizontal and was held in place with a “bungee cord”. You can also see the bolts protruding out the bottom of the suitcase which originally held the suitcase upright. I think this also explains why some of the FIA cars had dimples while others didn’t.


As for the actual size of the suitcase – I have a copy of the original – “FIA Historic Racing Championships - Appendix J” both 1964 and 1965.

They state the following:

“270 - Luggage trunk

A covered space being an integral part of the coachwork but outside of the space occupied by the front seats, large enough to receive a trunk of
65 cm X 40 cm X 20 cm. minimum, besides the spare wheel, tools or the folded hood, shall be provided, excluding the spare wheel, tools or removed canopy.”

Hope this was helpful.

Ron,

Speaking of things to go into trunks, I shipped your aux. tank brackets on Saturday.

[LightNFast]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

Ron,

Speaking of things to go into trunks, I shipped your aux. tank brackets on Saturday.

Rick,

Sorry for the confusion. I’m owner of “SPFR0002” (Houston).

But I’m glad to hear Ron’s down for the expansion tank. I’m not sure what I’d use it for but I know those boys in the Carolinas like to run moonshine….

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by LightNFast

Rick,

Sorry for the confusion. I’m Kurt, owner of FIA “SPFR0002” (Houston).

But I’m glad to hear Ron’s down for the expansion tank. I’m not sure what I’d use it for but I know those boys in the Carolinas like to run moonshine….

DANG! I keep doing that!

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by LightNFast

.....some of the FIA cars had dimples while others didn’t.

.....65 cm X 40 cm X 20 cm. minimum....

Kurt - do you know how many FIA cars had dimples and how many were 'clean'?
And good to see for the correct info on size.
Cheers,
Glen

[LightNFast]

Originally Posted by xb-60

Kurt - do you know how many FIA cars had dimples and how many were 'clean'?
And good to see for the correct info on size.
Cheers,
Glen

Based on photos & video of the first race in Europe, Targa Florio 1964 - Three with dimples (2323, 2345, 226O) and one without (23O1). The fifth car (2259) never made it to Europe and also didn't have them. So 3 out of 5 had dimples... that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

#142 - PHIL HILL/BOB BONDURANT - White stripe - CSX 2345 (USA)
#146 - DAN GURNEY/JERRY GRANT - Red stripe - CSX 2323 (USA)
#148 - INNES IRELAND/MASTON GREGORY - Yellow stripe - CSX 226O (USA)
#150 - V. ARENA/V. COCO - Maroon stripe - CSX 23O1 (Italy)


Targa Florio 1964 - YouTube


Targa Floria 1964


Sebring 64' #11 Dan Gurney/Bob Johnson - White stripe - CSX2259 (USA) DNF (Accident)

[tkb289]

Glen / Kurt

Thank you, both of you guys for the history and information. Very helpful indeed, especially with the references and photos. I was sure that sooner or later someone would have the details.

- Tim

[*13*]

With all if this, do any current replicas actually fit one of these cases? Yes, the bumps are there but, the interior dimensions on a lot of cars are not as critical