Original luggage rack

[my427cobra]

Now this should get the comments flowing!!!!!!!!!!!!


Cheers
Greg

[CompClassics]

I'll post some detail photos when I have a few minutes.

[my427cobra]

So without getting too anal on the luggage rack subject:

Does anyone remember this decal on the luggage racks?



Cheers
Greg

[my427cobra]

Received my luggage rack yesterday. Pleased with the condition. No dings , bends or bad scratches. Chrome came alive with a little Mothers polish. A few small corrosion blems that I can live with. No manufacturer's mark or labels but from all the pics I see it's definitely an AMCO.

Mounting holes were 1/4",but I was told the originals were 5/16" carriage bolts.

Now to drill those holes out with a 5/16" square bit. LOL

Post pics in a couple of days to see what it looks like sitting on the trunk/boot lid.

Cheers
Greg

[my427cobra]

OK. Here are a few pics of my luggage rack temporarily positioned on the trunk lid.

As you can see, I'm using a set of funky suction cups. They are made for a Vespa scooter to mount a rack on it's fender and are available from Scooter Parts.

The ID of the suction cup neck is a perfect fit for a 5/16"ID x 5/8"OD chrome spacer. I cut the 5/16" carriage bolts to the proper length and put a thin nyloc nut on the end to hold the spacer tight and slipped the suction cup neck over the spacer.

The rubber suction cups aren't as elegant as a chrome "foot", but then again I don't have to drill holes in the trunk lid.

How to hold the luggage rack in place?

I'm going to look for or fab some little "U" shaped clips, and with a little cushioning material slip the clips over the fore and aft edges of the trunk lid.

To those clips I'll attach straps to hold the rack in place.

What do you think?

Cheers
Greg

[CSX 4133]

Over all it looks great, but I'm thinking the straps are going to abrade your paint. The luggage racks look best, in my opinion, on the 260/289 cars due to the comparable size of the rack to car sizing. Just my 2 cents.

[jolsen42]

I don't know, I had one on my 427 street and I thought it fit quite well.

John O

[my427cobra]

Thanks guys. I have thought about the straps chaffeing the paint but I'll figure something out.

Maybe a lamb's fleece (like lamb skin seat covers) covers that are used on shoulder harnesses.

Cheers
Greg

[my427cobra]

OK. Blue painters tape solves everything. (Is it the new duct tape? Probably not, but).

Here are a couple of pics using blue painters tape to show where the straps would go.

The back straps would go down to the bumper bracket. I will fab a couple of tabs that will bolt to the bumper bracket and the straps will fasten to the tab and go up to the luggage rack. The straps will splay outwards a little and give side to side stability.

Should not touch the paint, so no chaffeing.

The front straps will go down to "u" shaped clips ( found some "gutter clips" on ebay) which grab the leading edge of the trunk lid. The clips will be cushioned ( rubber sheet or that dip vinyl stuff that you use for tool handles etc). So there should be no paint chaffeing there.

And there are all kinds of nice luggage straps on ebay.

Cheers
Greg

[ACHiPo]

First, that's definitely an original Amco rack or a very good reproduction.

Second, I like your idea of the suction cups. I'm in the process of making the correct angled feet, but it pains me to drill holes in the trunk!

It seems like vinyl cushioned clips on the front and back lip of the trunk would work and not require removing the rack to open the trunk.

Evan

[my427cobra]

Another thought would be a "Y" shaped rear strap where the two top straps would attach to the luggage rack and the single lower strap would go over the license plate lamp and loop around the trunk handle.

I'm still thinking.

Cheers
Greg

[Three Peaks]

Here is what I did to protect my paint from where my harnesses are attached to my roll bar cross bar and lay on the edge of the body. I got some 3M clear bra and put it over the body where the strap belts would contact the body. Also on the front and the area of the rear fenders where rock chips would be a problem. Can't even see it once it's on properly and has saved my paint in all areas where it has been placed.

Another option for the rearward straps would be to make up a stainless plate that fits between the license plate light and the body and protrudes up with a strap slot in it. Possibly with the top protruding tab bent toward the rack connection point. You would need to reinforce the connection point inside the trunk and use larger bolts to hold the license plate light on, but no visible modifications to the body for when you may want to remove it in the future. Run your straps down to this point.

Just thinking out loud. The rack itself looks great and I really like the suction cup idea, even though eventually they will also damage the paint.

Bob

[Karl Bebout]

"The rack itself looks great and I really like the suction cup idea, even though eventually they will also damage the paint."

I'll put a layer of the thicker 3M on the trunk to help keep the suction cups from damaging the paint.

[my427cobra]

Thanks guys. Great ideas about the brackets and 3M tape.

Cheers
Greg

[my427cobra]

After e-mailing some of the e-bayers who are selling leather luggage straps, some say they can custom make just about anything.

So I'm going to investigate that avenue.

Cheers
Greg

[CSX 4133]

Greg,
Here's an idea, why not buy a fiberglass or aluminum trunk lid and drill it for the rack as it was intended.
You can save your original trunk lid intact and switch them out as needed. It would look better than strapping it and risking doing damage to your trunk.

[my427cobra]

Thanks Steve. My car is an NAF and I have tried for years to find a replacement hood and trunk for spares with no luck.
I would love to have an aluminum hood but finding one that fits. Well that's another challenge.

Cheers
Greg

[CSX 4133]

For the boot lid, I'd try Nick Acton of Acton Custom Enterprises. He makes replacement parts for these cars, and in checking their site he will make a hood or trunk piece on order. He is extremely knowledgeable and quite the craftsman.

[Mongoose930]

Hey Greg - Fly to Boston for a long weekend and make your own!!!

Made An Aluminum Hood For My Hi-Tech Cobra

You won't regret it. Wray Schelin is the best:

Pro Shaper Sheet Metal LLC |

[Buzz]

Why not just drill the holes? It will look way better than a bunch of straps and if in the future you decide to lose the rack it would be a breeze to refinish. if you want the flexibility to use the rack only when needed, then fashion yourself some color matched plugs to fill the holes.
The rack looks great, BTW.