Cheap Vintage-Looking Roof Rack

[ClayW]

I built this in a few hours today. I never liked the look of the newer Thule racks and Type 1 VW racks cost a few hundred dollars before modification. I made this one for about $100.

Thought I'd share. More details in my project blog.

[E30Pierre]

Nice job! I personally think it would look a little better if it was a little lower. It looks really high. Any way to bring it down a bit? Elaborate on how you made it please! (I'm mostly wondering what those pieces are that attach the wood part to the car.)

[dlmrun2002]

Looks Good- Vintage.

Here is a choice for others. Super deal too.

dlm

http://store.rampconnection.com/product.php?xProd=7352

[Swiftus]

Who knew that you were in Bethesda today!?!

That roof rack looks sweet!

I agree about it being a little too high. What if you were to cut the aluminum on the ends a little shorter and hang rack underneath the supports? That would drop it about a 1/2".

Lookin' good my friend. Now all the vintage rack needs is a not-so-vintage motor!

Jay

[DavinSF]

I use those same Quick-n-Easy towers myself, with a set of Yakima round bars, and they're super solid. Four bikes on a windy road and no worries.

I too would like to have it all sit lower though, trying to figure out how to achieve that.

[DavinSF]

(nt)

[ClayW]

Yep. E30 Steelies painted silver.

[RayC911]

They use to make shorter version of these Quick-N-Easy towers but they're NLA now. Have you tried mounting the rack the other direction? I'd like to see how that looks.

[ClayW]

Nice job! I personally think it would look a little better if it was a little lower. It looks really high. Any way to bring it down a bit? Elaborate on how you made it please! (I'm mostly wondering what those pieces are that attach the wood part to the car.)

Thanks!

Yeah, there's no way to lower the mounts....check out my project blog for more details.

[02Les]

I ought to do something like that with mine.

I bought this (ski rack) in Germany in the 70s. I have hauled all sorts of things on it in the past 30 odd years.

[c.d.iesel]

LOOKS VINTAGE = excellent

round off the ends of your "L" stock

for a finished look

then give it the real test -

strap your brother up there .......

[PeteinMissionViejo]

Those style towers have been around forever. My Dad had them set up as a canoe rack that he used on his 60's and 70's Mustangs. Found we needed to use front, rear, side ropes after we almost launched a canoe on the way to Mexico. Forty + years later I have them with straps and padding as a surf board rack.

Pete 68 1600

[fiftytakedowns]

what air dam is that

(sorry to hijack)

[02Les]

what air dam is that

(sorry to hijack)

If you are referring to my Beater; I have no clue as I inherited it with the car. It looks like it should fit a slightly narrower car, or maybe my fibreglass fenders are a little too wide?

[menolopez]

i have a brand new air dam/ bumper just like this one if anyone is interested.....(also came with a project car, but not installed) pm me if interested