MGB & GT Forum

This is a two part question. I recently picked up an original AMCO luggage rack. Take a look at the attached pictures. The rack came with hardware for all four mounting points. The hardware for the two rear attaching points has a chrome headed bolt, a chrome angled spacer, a rubber gasket, and a washer and nut. The angled spacers have "rear" imprinted on the underside of the spacers. The hardware for the front attaching points has the same less the chrome angled spacer. Should there be chrome angled spacers included with the front attaching hardware?

Second question. Does anyone have the mounting measurement for this luggage rack? I owned one of these racks in the 1970s but can't remember all of the required hardware nor the exact mounting location. If I need new mounting hardware, I'll post on the Buy, Sell & Trade page. Thanks,

Chuck

4 1/4" from the top edge and 7 1/2" in from the sides on my 65.....but your mounting hardware looks funky to me. A sporting chance I could be out in left field, too. My front and back both have the chrome, angled spacers....I am missing one but the cork from a bottle of 65 Chateau Lafitte works amazingly well....I hope this helps.

Quinn

PS....I take the front left one of you are ditching them...........

i have the same rack but I do not have any of the angled spacers and the attachment of Quinn's rack looks nothing like yours and mine.

I do not have photos but I just painted the trunk lid and can take photos and measurements in a couple of days if no one else has them off the cuff.

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Michael J. Caputo
'79, '77, '76, '74.5 (rubber dual SU), and '73 owner. Extensive experience in 12v Audio System design and installation. Vendor of Regalia and Promotional Products since 1993. Supplier of Accessories to MOSS. Forum Member since 2009; with a warped sense of humor since birth. Publisher of the annual MGB & GT Calendar, mailed worldwide.

Quinn,

Thanks for taking the time to send the pictures. It looks like we have different luggage racks. Your's looks like bolts go into the body of the rack tubing from inside the boot; mine has bolts that pass from the top and through the mounting holes, spacers, and the boot lid, and the bolts are secured by washers and nuts on the inside of the boot. I owned and used one of the racks like the one I just bought, had it for 11 years, but can't remember if there were spacers at the forward attaching points. Thanks again, Chuck

Thanks Michael. Quinn provided measurements. I'm in no hurry at all, and it would be interesting to see if your measurements are close to Quinn's. Chuck

Quinn and Michael,

Thanks for your help. Just finished the rack installation and it came out nice. Used the "measure a thousand times, drill once" method. Drilling four holes has never taken so long. Bought two thick chrome
washers ($3.79 each) from Ace Hardware to replace the two missing front spacers and they worked great. Here are a few pictures.

Chuck

Chuck,
I have the same rack and I've seen the hardware on eBay from time to time. The rear ones are the most important since they have more of an angle to support. I'm using a butyl rubber caulk to prevent leaks vs silicone due to its association with rust formation.
Rut

Thanks for the sealant suggestion Rut. I'll try the sealant soon. Rust is not much of an issue here in high desert, low humidity Colorado. The most likely source of water through the rack bolt holes is from washing the car, not so much from rain. The C never gets out in the snow, and only occassionaly does it see rain. Fortunatly, the important rear spacer hardware came with the rack, as did all four chrome plated carraige bolts. Looks like you have a good handle on your rack project. Chuck

Nice color Blue, Chuck, how about submitting a photo or two for the annual calendar?

2015photos@mgbcalendar.com2015photos@mgbcalendar.com

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Michael J. Caputo
'79, '77, '76, '74.5 (rubber dual SU), and '73 owner. Extensive experience in 12v Audio System design and installation. Vendor of Regalia and Promotional Products since 1993. Supplier of Accessories to MOSS. Forum Member since 2009; with a warped sense of humor since birth. Publisher of the annual MGB & GT Calendar, mailed worldwide.

Chuck, I have the same rack. I used caulking to seal the holes to keep the contents of the trunk dry if caught out in a rain strom during a trip. You should paint the hole(s) edges before installing the rack to prevent rust. My rack looks good after 40+ years!

Michael,

The color is Riviera Silver Blue Metallic which was a 1968 color and used on the MGC-GT as a standard color, and the MGC roadster as an "optional extra" for $300. The MGB-GT could get the color for an additional $300 in 1968, but the factory would not use the color on the B roadster. The factory stopped using the color in late 1968 because the metal flake in the cellulose paint expanded and contracted and cracked the paint surface. The same color in base coat/clear coat does fine. The 1965 Works MGC Roadster Prototype FRX 692C was painted RSBM. Thanks for the calendar link; I'll send some photos soon.

Paul,

I carefully painted the hole edges with blue Rustoelum and used rubber sealing washers under the mounting hardware on the outside and under the washers at the nuts on the inside. Should stay dry, but I'll adjust if water gets in. Ace has a great selection of plumbing washers.

Chuck



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014-07-25 09:47 AM by 2003JAG.