C3 Luggage Racks

[Scott Marzahl]

I'm going to look at a C3 luggage rack tp purchase and I would like to know if an original or NOS C3 luggage rack be stainless steel or chrome plated?

Thanks,
Scott

[Dick W.]

Re: C3 Luggage Racks

Original were chrome

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3 Luggage Racks

Scott

If you are thinking about a judging deduction,1977 model year was the only year the chrome rack was factory installed. The holes in the deck are a deduction in other years for a chrome rack that was dealer installed.

Lyle

[Scott Marzahl]

Re: C3 Luggage Racks

Thanks all,
No worries about judging for this car, it's strictly for fun.

[Jim T.]

Re: C3 Luggage Racks

How many points are deducted for a after factory installed luggage rack?

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3 Luggage Racks

Jim

The deduction is for the holes where the rack is installed and taken as damaged fiberglass in that panel. At one time judges were taking one point for each hole but this may be more by now as the judging changes over time and I'm not an exterior judge.
Lyle

[Jack H.]

Re: C3 Luggage Racks

Depends on how different the luggage rack is compared to what was 'dealer correct' for that car at the time of delivery. There were a couple of variations of the rack and that dealt with the introduction of the V54 option, luggage and roof rack, in 1977. The number of attaching legs to the rear deck lid + the presense/absense of 'nubs' to support the V54 T-top holding brackets changed with the specific version of the luggage rack.

So, if you've got a car built before the V54 option was available and it's wearing a luggage rack of the V54 era, the deduction will be greater. Plus, you've got the variation of SS vs. chrome plated finish to deal with. Bottom line, there's no correct answer until you tell us SPECIFICALLY which version of the luggage rack is on the car + the specific year of car we're talking about....

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3 Luggage Racks

The only luggage rack thats judged at all is a 77 as it could have come from the factory with that option. On any other eariler years the rack is not correct from the factory and not judged rusty, chrome or SS makes no difference just the damage to the panel. It was all covered in a regional judging school. The number of holes six or eight should be more damage to the panel.

Lyle

[Jack H.]

What?

"The only luggage rack thats judged at all is a 77 as it could have come from the factory with that option. On any other eariler years the rack is not correct from the factory and not judged rusty, chrome or SS makes no difference just the damage to the panel..."

My gut tells me you missed something in that judging school...

The difference between early/late luggage racks and chrome vs. SS aftermarket has long been known. In the '70-71 JG the issue is address under Exterior, Item 3, Body And Fit:

"Factory-installed luggage racks were also not available in 1970-72. The same minor deduction should be done for addition of a luggage rack on the rear."

The reference to 'same minor deduction' points to the item above in the JG text, the addition of a RH exterior mirror. The amount of points taken by exterior judges in computing the 'minor' deduction is a judges choice issue and those I know (including myself) assess a larger deduction for luggage racks installed that could NOT have come from the dealer when the car was originally sold/delivered...

Now, since this thread is about a 1976 Corvette, that JG should be the governing item. Quite a bit is said about luggage racks since that JG book spans '75-77 where the luggage rack WAS a factory option for some time. In Exterior, Item 6, Body, Fiberglass And Component Fit the following is said:

"Luggage Rack

A luggage rack is a dealer-installed accessory through most of 1976 production. The assembly insturctions manual indicates that factory installation of the luggage rack is possible after March 17, 1976. It is clear that for the 1977 model year, the loggage rack became a factory-installed option for 1977 and should be treaded as such. As a dealer installed option, however, it must receive a minimum deduction on originality (1-2%). More points may be deducted for non-Chevrolet or older style racks (10%)...."

The text then goes on to describe the differences between early/late GM supplied racks and those of non-GM, aftermarket, origin. You'll note in this Judging Division, the NTL allows judges the discretion of a 1-10% deduction range based on how closely the rack appears compared to what would have been supplied by either the factory or the dealer at the time a given car was built.

Do you want to continue with the assertion luggage racks aren't judged?

[Chuck S.]

Yer Oversimplifying Now, Jack...

Lyle's error was thinking factory installed rackes started in 77.

Between the two of you, it's clear to me (I knew far less about C3 racks before this thread began ). If Scott's 76 was built after March 17, 1976, and he has the car judged, then a luggage rack will be judged by the 75-77 TIM&JG, and he needs the correct luggage rack. If it or ANY C3 was built prior to that date, then the rack is not judged, but a minor originality deduction for the body should be made for the four holes drilled in the fiberglass to install the rack (I had heard this before; judging school or not, I can't say).

[Harmon C.]

Re: Yer Oversimplifying Now, Jack...

Chuck

You are correct the deduction is for fiberglass damage and paint damage for a shark other than a 77 where it is listed as an option that could have came from the factory installed. There could have been six to eight holes. The reasoning behind not judging the luggage rack is it's not to be their and dealer installed options are not judged. The RH mirror is the same deal damage to the panel dealer option.

Lyle

[Jack H.]

You're still missing it...

From the 75-77 JG one more time...

"As a dealer installed option, however, it must receive a minimum deduction on originality (1-2%). More points may be deducted for non-Chevrolet or older style racks (10%)...."

Followed with detailed description of the different versions of the luggage rack and the correct mounting method. After this discussion, the JG turns to how to evaluate a proper factory installed luggage rack from '77.

So, IF your assertion is the luggage rack disturbed the fiberglass, then why allow judges the discretion of a 1-2% deduction for a 'correct' dealer installed rack? Plus, the early rack had six vs. eight mounting legs on the later version. So an early rack distrubs the fiberglass less than a period correct 8-legged rack. But, the JG tells you to up the deduction to 10% if the rack is from the wrong period OR if it's not a correct 'Chevrolet rack'.

Nope, we DO judge luggage racks and the further from what 'would' have been correct on a newly delivered Corvette with proper dealer installation the rack is on a given car, the greater the deduction and it's not just a matter of fiberglass disturbance....

[Harmon C.]

You judge your way I will judge mine Thanks

The guide is not allways correct and I helped with some input if you check the front inside cover. The late John Woods judging scool covered this so many times at regionals I got tired of hearing it. You judge your way I will judge mine.
Lyle

[Dick W.]

Re: You judge your way I will judge mine Thanks

The rack is NOT judged in '68-'72. A deduction is taken for holes in the fiberglass if ANY rack is installed, be it stainless steel, chrome steel, or teakwood.

[Harmon C.]

Thanks for your input Dick *NM*