luggage racks

Which rack do you consider superior to the other Ruetter or Leitz. I know one is more expensive, but are there any real differences in usability?

Aren't the Reutter ones always a hammertone painted finish where the Leitz ones are more decorative chrome? I think both are too big for our speedsters since they overwhelm the engine lid in size.

Personally Howard.. I perfer the Vintage rack that came with Speedie.. All chrome and very nice size to rear of car, not OVER welming...

Speedster "D"

The rack will be removable and used only when I tour, which is all to rare these busy days. Most of the time the rack will only see the inside of my shed. I do like the small rack. What about capacity and secure tie downs.

When mounted to a fiberglass trunk lid the racks aren't really intended to carry any weight. Jim Ward has nice vintage leather looking EMPTY suit cases with travel stickers on his. Another owner mounted his 3rd brake light to a vintage trunk. Putting any weight on them will require you to reinforce the engine lid -- even empty you'll need large washers on both sides of the mounting bolts.

Howard -

I believe the Reutter luggage rack was offered as an option from the Reutter bodyworks company that also designed and built several 356 Chassis/bodies (Reutter body badge on some P-cars). These racks were typically a plated finish and period correct for 1956-57.

The Leitz were produced and offered later (1958-1964) and typically chrome-plated. I could be wrong on the dates for these racks.

The (smaller) luggage rack available from Vintage (et al) was designed to basically complement the curvature of the rear deck. Subsequently, the curvature of this rack allows for luggage to come into contact only with the 2 center support bars (unlike on a flat surface of a Leitz or Reutter).

Application of these racks is as anything else on this forum - it's all about your personal taste (correctness is secondary). As mentioned, the nature of these fiberglass decks does not afford much load bearing strength (even with weight distribution by using wide fender washers for mounting). On trips, I put nothing more than my car cover, some Mequires Quick detail and polishing rags in the suitcase.

I've attached a couple of pics of my Reutter (chromed). Check Dale Bates' photo file for a beautiful example of a Leitz on his stunning car.

Thanks for all the input. Henry fabricates support brackets which will fit any of these racks mentioned in the thread. He does add some buttressing support, but its not for heavy weight, just for incidentals.Not more than 20lbs I should think.

I have carried 30 pounds on my Leitz rack during a multi-day tour without problems. I did modify Henry's mounting system slightly but it was not really necessary and actually, I removed some of the rack mount's structure

As far as Racks go, (luggage racks, specifically) I prefer the Leitz rack. The rack will hold the suitcase flat, and to me, it just looks right.

Personally, I find the more common Vintage rack a bit too angular and overly tall. I don't find the Leitz Rack looks too large, and I guess because I am so used to the Leitz, the Vintage looks too small.

I really don't use the rack for carrying "cargo" much when on a group ride. A suitcase strapped onto the rack obstructs the rear vision and I like to look and check the cars behind me.

So true, but I think it looks cool just by itself too... LOL ... Speedie geak!

"D"

And the rack makes a really cool place to display your best luggage straps ... :-)

I totally agree with Dusty.... those straps are HOT looking and even better in black... All I need now is the damn luggage! LMAO....

Speedster "D" "Tie me up!"

I carry in excess of 50 lbs without reinforcing anything, did it all the time....Wife requires many pounds on even an overnighter....
I considered putting wheels on the damn trunk and pulling it, but the rack seemed to hold up with just a few grunts from MR356 upon initial installation and strap down....