Suitcase for the luggage rack

ebay : Vintage Small Suitcases

Vintiquewise QI003086.2 $120.55 Vintage Style European Luggage Suitcase, PK 2 | Zoro.com

Vintiquewise QI003068.3 $145.02 3-Colored Vintage Style Luggage Suitcase/Trunk, PK 3 | Zoro.com

https://www.etsy.com/

Troy Sloan has had great luck at thrift shops etc. One of the best and most abundant suitcases that works well are the ones from Samsonite.

Thanks. What are the min/max dimensions i should be looking for?

@beemerb0y posted:

Thanks. What are the min/max dimensions i should be looking for?

That really depends upon what make/model luggage rack you've got.

@Napa Paul posted:

That really depends upon what make/model luggage rack you've got.

the one that is sold & installed by VMC on their new builds...

@beemerb0y posted:

the one that is sold & installed by VMC on their new builds...

Don't put that "cart before the horse." You should measure your rack and then check the dimensions of any luggage you find online before buying it.

@Napa Paul posted:

Don't put that "cart before the horse." You should measure your rack and then check the dimensions of any luggage you find online before buying it.

I am on a deadline, and need to have the item before my build is complete and delivered. I figured there are tons of people on this forum with VMC speedsters that can help out

@beemerb0y posted:

I am on a deadline, and need to have the item before my build is complete and delivered. I figured there are tons of people on this forum with VMC speedsters that can help out

Call Ana at VMC and have her send you the dimensions.

My mom had a full set of these in green when we toured Europe in 1960. We had them forever.

I used the makeup case to carry guitar/PA cables when I played in bands when I grew up.

My dad had a semi-soft sided 30” Pullman that was all leather that I’d kill to have today.

Hello,

I got mine from a classic car event who had stalls there selling different cases. Also seen plenty in antique stores. It’s a Samsonite hard shell from the 70’s.

Just remember that it will greatly reduce rear view vision - so keep it low.  You could install a rear-view camera in the suitcase to greatly help.  The VMC rack is rather small compared to the Leitz "flying nun's hat" one.

Did you say “no flea market” because that’s where we got ours luggage? With the top up and the suitcase on the rack, you can’t see anything behind you so I installed a wifi camera just under the license plate which works great!

@Robert M posted:

Call Ana at VMC and have her send you the dimensions.

I did - I was told it will accommodate a normal size suitcase

I found one I like, dims are 15. 5” L x 9. 5” W x 4. 5H” .. you guys think this is too small? I definitely like that its 4.5" H so it wont disrupt rear visibility.

@beemerb0y

I think the suitcase dimensions you posted may be a bit small.

For visual reference, here are some pics and dimensions of my suitcase on a Reutter luggage rack. I found this suitcase at a vintage/antiques consignment shop for $25.00.

Click on the pics to enlarge.

For visual scale reference of this suitcase;

To address passenger-side blind spots:

I wanted an easy & inexpensive method to help with passenger-side blind spots when I travel with my surfboard or suitcase. Here is a mirror I currently use. Available at most any automotive parts store for about $10.00.

This method is also useful when traveling with the convertible top up and suitcase on your luggage rack. Here is the mirror I used on my previous VS. An old suction cup telephone holder, I attached a small convex mirror with double-sided adhesive tape.

Here is a link to the vendor I got my vintage travel stickers from:

https://laughingelephant.com/stickers/travel/

I hope you find this info useful!

@beemerb0y posted:

I did - I was told it will accommodate a normal size suitcase

I found one I like, dims are 15. 5” L x 9. 5” W x 4. 5H” .. you guys think this is too small? I definitely like that its 4.5" H so it wont disrupt rear visibility.

15.5" is way too small!  21" x 15" x 7" is ideal.

@MusbJim -  Jim, I’m intrigued that you have a suitcase sticker from Bennington, Vermont - Not a lot of people outside of New England pay it much attention, and that’s too bad.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great little town, there in the southwest corner of the state, with an original Diner, great coffee, a couple of decent micro-breweries, lots of museums and of all sorts of things to do.  During Foliage Season it is one of the prettiest places in Vermont (and there are many to choose from).  Bennington Pottery is there, as well as the offices of Hemming’s Motor News.

I’m glad that the “Laughing Elephant” included it in their package!

Where can i get the leather straps? My search yielded Pleasant Valley Saddle Shop, but they no longer product them.

That was Dusty's shop - RIP.  Think in another thread that Troy Sloan had straps available now.

@WOLFGANG posted:

That was Dusty's shop - RIP.  Think in another thread that Troy Sloan had straps available now.

@beemerb0y

Yes, my wife Sally is making both luggage straps and hood straps.  If you are interested, you can get my phone number off my website. www.replicaspeedsters.com

Troy