VS luggage rack pictures?

I am going to make my own luggage rack. I really like the VS one, but i want it to hug the body a bit more.

Does anyone have some good (top?) photos of the rack?

I've seen the VS site: http://vintagespeedsters.com/parts/i/t_luggagerack.jpg

Many thanks.

Paul--that shot you have is a good one---maybe as good as you'll get. Would it help if I gave you the measurements for mine--it's a VS.

---Jack

Paul,
Could'nt you take a Vintage luggage rack,and carefully cut the standoffs to a length that you are happy with? I'm just sayin!

I too was considering cutting the stand offs to a shorter length ... I then though that with luggage on the rack, it would restrict the much needed air flow at the deck lid grill.

Try this Paul!

thanks Ernie.

There is no point buying a VS rack - just to cut it up. I have a welder and all the tools needed to make this happen. This is something I've wanted to do for a while. it might not work - but at least i'll try.

Sure, can you TIG ??
Make me one too. Mild steel will be fine, gonna Hammerite it
PM me a quote Paul

Nice 3rd brake lite Ernie
.
I would not trust these racks with a load.
I'd be Very concerned (with the standoff attchment, not the rack per sae)
Mebbe fab some supplemental supports to deck lid edge...

Someone on SO sent me these when I was contimplating trying to mount the VS to my CMC grille (decided against it).

i have to fab a lower right mount. i had to mod my decklid to clear my alt pulley (i have a T4 upright, so the engine is a little larger than a T1).

I'm going to MIG this (want all smooth - no weld beeds showing). Before i start taking orders - I'm going to make mine - see how that goes first. :)

Dave wrote: "I would not trust these racks with a load."
IMHO.... the VS rack is built sound enough to do carry what ever you might want on on a 'lil hobby car like a speedy........
However, my experience leaves me to believe that if you are going on a long trip, you will be better served by traveling light and stuffing only what you really need inside the cabin. Otherwise, you will pay the price for added drag at the gas pump.......... Make that a 3 to 5 gallon loss on fuel mileage.

I dunno know Ernie, if luggage on a rear rack is a concern for gas mileage, I would think that driving with the top down would be just as bad, perhaps worse, for mileage. It's been 7 years now and I have yet to drive my speedy with the top up. I justify this by observing that all my instruments are metric, and kilometers per gallon is just a bit of bother. I put in a 15 gallon tank and drive.

As my ex-roomate, with a very large engine in his 55 Chevy, used to say in response to gas mileage questions, "whenever she need gas, I go fill her up!"

And the beat rolls on, and on, and on - thank you Cher!

david......
Good point, but remember I said "long trip". My 4K trip to Canada last summer was a perfect test ground to find out what's really up (especially with $4+ a gallon gas). When I was screaming across Nevada (early AM) on my return to Nor Cal with the top up and side curtains in place, I got 31 MPG!
Drive 'em the way ya want, but, have FUN amigo!
PS..... Not everybody lives in San Diego.

AND, the beat DOES go on!
Cheers!

Ernie - Admittedly am biased, but from my perspective, I think damn near everybody all ready DOES live in San Diego. Freeways come to a dead stop nearly everday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Weekends are no improvement. It sucks for a driver - but the weather is nice!

I really like my Vintage Speedster Rack. I have put anything on it yet!

aloha, kawika55

I kind a wanted a luggage rack. But I'm taken back to the noble words of George Brown about gelding the Lilly. I left the German license plate. off of the front because of what he said.

I could use the luggage space on long trips.. But the rack needs some kind of a quick release kit that lets you take it off the rest of the time your out sporting it around..

There is a little difference between gelding and gilding!

Gelding---may I say "ouch!!"---Jack

All this talk about luggage racks and no one has mentioned the leather straps to hold the luggage in place. Remember I make them when you get ready. I have them in TAN and BLACK for $120 + postage.
Contact me at DustyJohn AT aol.com.

Happy Trails,
Dusty

Well I spell checked it both ways..Go figure

well - first try sucked. i tried to do both the horizontal (x) and vertical (y) curves.

got familiar with the bender though. it came out looking pretty good. two kinks though.

second time around i've traced the decklid (rear hood) on a piece of card board, set it flat and made the horizontal bends first. then (have yet to do this) do the vertical bends to match the body lines.

I didnt notice the VS one (or any other for that matter) do not match the curves of the decklid. we'll see how it looks.

now - to back out to the garage to try again.

Paul - full speed ahead!!

second time around was *much* better.

I didn't notice the VS rack's shape in too much detail until i made mine. It's quite a bit different and i feel it works with the lines of the car a bit more. it will sit lower and matches the curves of the rear decklid (this was actually pretty hard to do)

I keep reminding Marc to check out this site before he gets anything for the car, but I guess that I'm the one addicted, not him. My wonderful husband surprised me with a luggage rack for our trip to Carlisle in May! (As I've said elsewhere, I think he was afraid that he'd have a suitcase on his lap if we didn't get a luggage rack!) The one he got (I believe it was from Sierre Madre) is perfect for our car! I love the curve and the straps! We had to move the grill badges, a bit... but all I need now is the perfect suitcase!

SueZ - sound like you're having fun accessorizing/personalizing your car...nice rack (I had to beat Vince to it!)

Peace - Out!

I just got my VS luggage rack and I am a bit dissapointed in the quality. It has Hong Kong stamped all over it in the tubes and a pretty sloppy weld on the left seid where the main, outside tube was joined together. It's been ground/filed down but still has large grinding or file marks present. And the chrome is very poor, definately not show quality!

Anyway, I haven't decided if I will just send it back in hopes of getting a better one next time or if I will try to sand the scratches smooth and have the rack re-chromed. Pretty sad when you have to repair a new product before you can use it.

Anyone have any suggestions on the best way to mount this rack? It came with no instructions and I'm not certain if I need to drill holes in my deck lid or if it attaches somehow to the deck lid grille with brackets I didn't get. Don't know that I would trust the grille to support much weight maybe not even the rack.

Any advice on mounting would be appreciated.

Thanks, Rich

drill holes in the deck lid and screw from the bottom
at least that is how mine was attached

Rich,
Contact Kirk , it is possible that no one actually looked in the box prior to shipping it to you. Ask that he look at another rack he may have and see if he will exchange it. The one I have from VS is beautiful ! Alan

drclock,

Does your rack have Hong Kong stamped in the tubes in multiple locations? How about the chrome? The one I have has very poor chrome and gouges or tool marks where it was bent around a jig.

Rich

I never noticed the Hong Cong stamps unti I just went to out the garage for a look, they are there in five places but fairly light stampings, the chrome is similar to a stainless look but I found no gouges or poor welds as you mentioned. ~Alan

Speaking of luggage racks; has any one tried to carry two sets of golf clubs on one. Will they hold the weight?
will the engine cover hold the weight? Vintage Speedster body.

Ernie,

I particulaly like the rack and placement of the third brake light. Can you add more on brand, model, supplier of the light?

Thanks,

George

There Ya go George!
http://www.jcwhitney.com/THIRD-BRAKE-LIGHT/GP_2003586_N_111+10214+600011225_10114.jcw
Actually it is my "4th" brake lite...... It was only intended for road trips when luggage blocked the 3rd one inside the grill. Turns out, it fits the VS rack so well, I left it in place.

Thanks...got 'er dun.

GG

If you are not concerned with back up lights you can also color the lense red or find red bulbs on ebay. ~Alan