Route 66 Luggage Rack

[Bob B.]

Hi all,

After looking for several years, I was finally able to find a vintage luggage rack exactly like the one used on the Corvettes in the Route 66 TV series. I want to put a vintage Samsonite briefcase on it and use it to carry my car cover.

However, I'm wondering what they used back then to hold luggage since I don't think they had bungee cords. Any idea?

Thanks,

Bob

[Gerard F.]

Re: Route 66 Luggage Rack

Hi all,

After looking for several years, I was finally able to find a vintage luggage rack exactly like the one used on the Corvettes in the Route 66 TV series. I want to put a vintage Samsonite briefcase on it and use it to carry my car cover.

However, I'm wondering what they used back then to hold luggage since I don't think they had bungee cords. Any idea?

Thanks,

Bob

Bob,

Mine is a little later than yours (a 67 with a 68 luggage rack) but the Samsonite is about the same vintage. I presently use the modern tie down belts in blue which somewhat match the car.



But when I came across country in 69 (New York to California), I used the black vinyl or cloth belts you could buy in any auto parts store. In the picture above the Samsonite is the same one, and contained my clothes. The back of the car behind the seats contained everything else I owned at the time, along with the convertible top. (I had the hardtop on then)

But I saved that rugged, gorilla proof Samsonite. Funny, in the picture above, the Samsonite is carrying my car cover, and a few spare parts from a 1000 mile trip back and forth to Vegas.

Cheers,

[Steven B.]

Re: Route 66 Luggage Rack

Bob, Congratulations on finding the rack! IIRC without viewing one of my recorded (VHS) Rt 66's they used leather straps.

MG Mitten sold the original style racks in the 60's. After corresponding with them they told me the racks were AMCO (small) racks with oak strips added. When I got around to ordering one they were unavailable by a few weeks.

As a side note speaking with George Barris a couple of years ago he said he "customized" the 60-62's by installing the wires and racks.

If you get a chance please post a picture.

Steve

[Scott S.]

Re: Route 66 Luggage Rack

Martha and Bob, We look forward to viewing the rack and attachments on the 2011 NCRS Road Tour. We are 84 strong and more to come. See www.gilmorecarmuseum.org for one of our stops.
Lots of fun to be had in the oldies. The Road Tour has 23 cars that are older than 1980. Six Corvettes are more than 50 years old!
There is lots of time to still join in.
Scott Sinclair

[Bob B.]

Re: Route 66 Luggage Rack

Scott/Steve,

Can't wait for Novi! We're staying at the Fairlane Motel (that's okay since my mom owned a Fairlane) at 45700 Grand River Avenue, Novi, MI 48374-1313, (248) 347-9999. Just east of the Showplace and within easy walking distance along a sidewalk path away from the road if you can fork out the $57/night! Hey, I have to spend my $$$ on parts! I hope some other NCRSers will join us. I know at least one other has. Nine rooms are total, so please register now. Otherwise, it will be a shuttle or driving on your own!

Attached is a pic of the luggage rack. Rubber stoppers and no drilling necessary. I could drill, but not unless someone gave me a spare trunk lid!

Bob

[Rick A.]

Re: Route 66 Luggage Rack

Bob,

very nice looking!

[Christopher R.]

Re: Route 66 Luggage Rack

I have one of these for sale. I used it all through the 70's on my '62. Send me a private email, if interested.

[Bob D.]

Re: Route 66 Luggage Rack

Bob

When I was in the service, I drove my '71 across country 6 times and used plain old fashioned rope to tie my luggage to the rack on the '71. It worked well and did not scratch the chrome. May not have looked great, but I was more in to function than form.

[James W.]

Re: Route 66 Luggage Rack

Here's a picture of my '65 coupe with the dealer installed luggage rack. It was on the car when we purchase it back in 1974. I've included a couple of pictures of a spare installatin kit and instructions that I have plus the GM parts book numbers.

I have one question regarding the midyear convertible luggage racks. I assume that are the same 4 legged rack as the one I have pictured with the only difference being the longer front legs for the coupe...correct?

Does the later 1968 Corvette and newer luggage racks have more than 4 support legs?

Might make a nice Corvette Restorer article.


Best Regards,

James West

[Gerard F.]

Re: Route 66 Luggage Rack

James,

The one in the picture above on my 67 is a 68-69 over the counter luggage rack, which I put on the car in 1969. It has 4 mounts in the rear and two in the front, 6 total.

Later racks for a 76 and up have 8 mounts

[Warren S.]

Re: Route 66 Luggage Rack

Here's a picture of my '65 coupe with the dealer installed luggage rack. It was on the car when we purchase it back in 1974. I've included a couple of pictures of a spare installatin kit and instructions that I have plus the GM parts book numbers.

I have one question regarding the midyear convertible luggage racks. I assume that are the same 4 legged rack as the one I have pictured with the only difference being the longer front legs for the coupe...correct?

Does the later 1968 Corvette and newer luggage racks have more than 4 support legs?

Might make a nice Corvette Restorer article.


Best Regards,

James West

James,
The rack that I have on my 67 was installed by the dealer prior to the original owner taking delivery on Dec. 14, 1966. My rack has 4 separate equal length legs with the same feet as yours that mount to the rear deck. Your rear cross bar appears to turn down on each end and form the lags as one, is this correct? If so, then that and the long front legs are the only thing that I see different. See my rack in post of Nov. 29, 2008, titled luggage rack.
I sure would like to beg, buy, borrow or steal a copy of your rack mounting instructions. What would it take to get a copy?

Thanks,
Warren (11327)

[James W.]

Re: Route 66 Luggage Rack

Warren,

Sure, I'll send you a copy of the luggage rack installaion instrctions. Please send me a private message with your address and I'll get it in the mail to you.


Best Regards,

James West