VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 luggage rack 1931

For 1931 was there any luggage racks that had the wood slats or were they all stainless or was there all different kinds made? This is for the rack that is on the bumper that folds up. most of the time painted black or lower body color.

There are two luggage racks. The one most people recognize is the Coupe, Cabriolet rack. It is black foldable steel with three stainless strips. The other is the rack for the Sedan trunk which does not fold, just serves as the mount for the trunk. It was available very late in the '31 model year.

One rack with wood strips fits Model As.

Interesting! My "31 Holden Body has a fold up type rack. The restoration was done in 1984, so I'm not sure on the accuracy. Could be different down here.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

The Australian trunk racks are different to the US versions. You should have 2 large cast brackets which pick up on the holes in the gas tank cover.

Hey Roger, need a correct rack?

I have a Beautiful Coupe Rack. Too bad I own a Sedan. Anyone have a photo of a Sedan Rack? Thanks, Al W.

There is a photo of the sedan extension trunk and rack in the 1932 Chevrolet accessory catalog. If you don't have the catalog you can get a reprint from TFS.

I'm a bit confused by the suggestions in this topic that the early '31 folding trunk rack was "model specific". As I understand it, the folding rack, about 34"x14", was suitable for all models, i.e. Sedan, Coach, Coupe, Roadster, etc, but GM did not make a complimentary trunk for it. The accessory market did, and I have an all steel trunk (non-extension)specifically made at the time for this particlular 34x14 rack by an aftermarket company, and am looking at acquiring a fabric covered one specifically labeled for "Chevrolet Cars".

My further understanding is that the very late in 1931 "extension trunk and rack" were really intended for inclusion for the '32 model year but were timed to also suit a '31 car, and any model, Sedan, Coach, Coupe etc. Coupes/Roadsters with a trunk (versus a rumble seat)may have had some interference problems with either trunk, and of course a sidemount spare or other spare option needed to be allowed for.

The extension trunk and rack came out in late 1931 and it was intended to be used on the sedan, coach and phaeton models.

By the way, the Canadian accessory folding rack was different than the USA accessory folding rack.

JYD, what is different about a Canadian Rack (no wisecracks boys!). Mine is about 34x14, folds at about 6", has the 3 stainless trim pieces and pullman loops, and has flat steel mounting hardware to bolt to upper and lower holes in Gas tank apron. From your knowledge is this a Canadian type or more likely American?
A colleague of mine has mounted a rack on the back of his '30 Phaeton presently being restored. That rack has cast mounting arms, does not fold, but can be tilted up, is slightly curved on forward edge, and has stainless trim as well as a Chevrolet Bowtie in upper-center of rack. What year/model is this for (my thinking is originally '32 or later)

The "Coupe" trunk rack is called that in some Chevy literature. It can be mounted on any of the passenger cars in the place of the rear tire rack. Just to be correct the rack with different long arms was an accessory for 1930 as well.

The main difference between USA and Canadian racks is that the Canadian had short vertical (when folded) stainless bars versus the three long horizontal bars on the USA rack.

Your buddies rack appears to be a '33. A photo will help identify it.

At one time I had three of the Canadian folding racks but they didn't last long before they found new homes.

That's all very nteresting. So the rack that's on my '31 Canadian made Deluxe (or Special) Coach is an American rack. I've never seen one with vertical trim pieces. I'll try to get a photo of the '33? one and that '31 34x13 trunk with the "for Chevrolet" label. Perhaps Bill will find time to post some additional detail on his site about trunk racks and trunks for this year.

The Canadian folding racks are out there and I have seen several for sale over the years.

Dad had a Canadian rack on the roadster for years until we found a US one. Sold it the day after the ad came out. One thing that no one has pointed out, is the Canadian rack has all equal squares unlike the US rack. The US rack has half squares on the ends.

I've posted photos at left for those who are not as knowledgeable about these things as the experts. BTW, I scrounged up a second identical trunk and shipped it off to a VCCA member 3 years ago. I think he is still facing his restoration project.

Hello All,
The rear trunk rack installed on my 31 Coach appears to be of the vertical steel folding type painted black. No stainless trim associated with it however. Gunsmoke is correct in that I am still facing a restoration. I believe that the trunk that Gunsmoke provided to me, (thank you) fits inside the vertical boarder edges of the rack, keeping the trunk centrally located. Strap brackets exist for straps to secure the trunk to the rack. After looking at Gunsmoke's luggage rack photo, I'm curious to know if his trunk will stay in a central position and not try to slide around even with the straps cinched up tight? Am I missing something? Good luck to all in 2014.

The trunks were intended to be bolted through the plywood bottom to the rack with four bolts. There are two plated footman loops on the back or bottom (folded) side and two sheet metal loops on the back hinges so leather straps could be used. Since it was necessary to unstrap the trunk to open it many don't use straps.

Yes, I have bolted mine to the rack. Tightly bolted, it does not slip around. This particular trunk design is interesting. It has the lockable latches at the exact centers of the footman loops on the rack. That makes adding leather straps (for cosmetic purposes) problematic, as they will have to somehow finesse their way around the latches. This trunk does not have any strap loops (on back hinge) like Chipper mentions, and also does not have handles on ends like many trunks, suggesting it was inteneded to be a semi permanent fixture. That is also probably why it is painted steel versus fabric. I suspect it was about as basic a trunk as you could buy back then. However, it is great for touring or for car shows, perfect for storing all the misc. tools, spare parts, snacks etc which are a must.

Hello All,
Thanks for explaining about the trunk being bolted down to the rack. That will stop me from filling the holes in the bottom of the trunk! If the trunk lid latches fall in line with where the leather strap slots on the rack are located, I might think about using some over long straps if I wish to secure cargo placed on top of the trunk lid, in the event that the trunk is full or I'm hauling oversize items. A precursor to a roof rack. Difficult tasks are easy to understand, it's the easy ones that are sometimes hard to grasp. Thanks

Would you please send pics to lave@cogeco.ca. I am in Kingston East Ontario CANADA my youngest daughter works for exon mobile downtown Halifax. Last year when we were visiting we had word that there was a fellow down there that had a 1932 roadster we searched and searched but never did find him. We plan on visiting Halifax this summer after our trip to Cuba in March Wayne Laverdure thanks

A friend knows of a '32 Roadster in the area, as far as he knows it is salted away now, but he will try to get me some contact info for you.