Luggage Carrier not listed on Dealer Invoice

[Terry M.]

Re: Luggage Carrier not listed on Dealer Invoice

Someplace I have a copy of the luggage rack installation instructions dated, if my memory is correct, 1974. Ralph Spears passed it on to me years ago. I believe he got it from the dealership that employed him at the time.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Luggage Carrier not listed on Dealer Invoice

A copy came with my Bowtie car so I thought they were included the box they came in.

[Terry M.]

Re: Luggage Carrier not listed on Dealer Invoice

Probably true Lyle.
Terry

[Joe L.]

Re: Luggage Carrier not listed on Dealer Invoice

Ah, that's an interesting idea!

By "in stock" you mean in the dealer's stock!? So the dealer would have had a car without the rack in their lot and added a factory rack fresh from St.L (or wherever it would have been supplied from) and added it to the car at their service dept., right?

Never had an idea like that - but that at least would explain the rack's lack on the Dealer Invoice (if that was no mistake )...

Anything to check/prove/disprove that theory?

Oliver----


The 1977 luggage rack, whether it was factory installed or dealer installed, was a unique-to-1977 piece. It was not used for earlier applications (accessory item for SERVICE) or later applications. The KIT (sold in SERVICE only but, as far as I can tell, containing the same pieces used for the PRODUCTION installation) was GM #995334.

So, how was the 1977 rack different than earlier? I have no idea.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Luggage Carrier not listed on Dealer Invoice

Joe
I would say the 77 rack is the one with little nubs on the tubes for the T-Top special carriers to be attached.

[Oliver B.]

Re: Luggage Carrier not listed on Dealer Invoice

Those "nubs" were to indicate where the t-top-brackets had to be attached to the rack.

...Another difference between the 77-factory-rack and the earlier "Dealer Option Racks" is that the factory 77 had rounded rear corners (see circled area in picture) in contrast to the outer struts of "dealer's racks" ending as "spears" just like the middle struts.

Finally the original rack is attached to the rear deck at eight points, whereas there are aftermarket racks, with "only" six attachment points.

So much for differences between original 77 racks and (earlier) "Dealer Options" or aftermarket racks.


Some more on you latest posts:
@ Lyle: Yes, the dating of the bags sure does not mean a thing as they came with the car independently of a rack installed - fully true! (I also stumbled over this later...)
@ Jack: Thanks for your thoughts on judging and deduction of points. In this case I seem to be a bit more picky on "factory originality" than the Judging field (actually Flight Judging would prove to be difficult over here in Germany as I then would have to travel to attend a Flight Judging in the UK or Netherlands) - I would just like to know how the car came frome the factory.

Here some more information I got from Jack Humphrey:
he states that the 77 racks installed by the dealer were usually delivered without the full compliment of parts - so the t-top-brackets with strap and smaller parts (see other picture attached) did not come with it contrarily to the factory-installed rack.

Putting this side by side with Joe's input, it appears that if your car was delivered by the factory with the V54 rack, the bracket and hardware came with it, if the dealer installed the rack afterwards, you had to order those items as per #995334.

Concerning my car: putting all this information together, my car appears to have been manufactured without the rack, which (original factory V54) then has been added by the dealer (without the brackets, which I purchased later) before delivery.......

Thank you for your input!

[Oliver B.]

Re: Luggage Carrier not listed on Dealer Invoice

Here another picture of my car - better showing the rounded rear corners of the rack:

[Robert C.]

Re: Luggage Carrier not listed on Dealer Invoice

[QUOTE=Lyle Chamberlain (24961);356801]The bags being dated correct would have come with cars without the luggage rack.


Lyle, Why do the dated BAGS for the T-tops have anything to do with the lugage/topcarrier option?

[Steven B.]

Re: Luggage Carrier not listed on Dealer Invoice

In all years many many dealer options were offered and most were not factory installed but done by the dealer. In 78 I ordered the trailering package for my new 78 Corvette , it came with a bigger radiator sway bar, high amp alternator but the dealer added the hitch and harness and had the dealer luggage I ordered.

Correct on the Trailering Package/Hitch and Harness--My SA was ordered much like your and when it arrived the dealer asked if we wanted the hitch and harness installed. We said no thanks.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Luggage Carrier not listed on Dealer Invoice

[quote=Robert Cook (23737);359436]

The bags being dated correct would have come with cars without the luggage rack.


Lyle, Why do the dated BAGS for the T-tops have anything to do with the lugage/topcarrier option?

Bob
Because the original poster ask the question in his first post. You will need to ask him why I just answered the question he ask.
I reread the question and this was one of the reasons he thought would prove his luggage rack was factory installed.

[Oliver B.]

Re: Luggage Carrier not listed on Dealer Invoice

Yeah, I plead guilty.

Was my mistake to (mentally) connect the dated bags with the installation of a rack... Sorry again!

[Harmon C.]

Re: Luggage Carrier not listed on Dealer Invoice

Their is nothing to be sorry about this is how we all learn by asking questions. With no questions this board would die.

[Mike R.]

Re: Luggage Carrier not listed on Dealer Invoice

Make sure NOT to show the dealer invoice at judging and eliminate the question.

[Oliver B.]

Re: Luggage Carrier not listed on Dealer Invoice

I just sent in an article for the Restorer on all this - Vinnie fueled some hope that it may appear in the Spring issue...

And - no, I guess I will not brag about my Dealer Invoice!
Thank you all and take care everybody.