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MG MGA - Luggage Rack Reluctance

Well I know that in the past on these pages, I have come down pretty positively in the "no luggage rack" camp, as no doubt Steve Gyles will remind me!

Well, advancing years have forced a change of mind on this subject because we now are probably going to have to carry a lightweight wheel chair for at least some of this driving season.

I have had a spare boot lid in my garage since the early 70s, this came off my first MGA 1600 coupe which was "T-boned" and written off back then and I removed many parts for spares.

The spare lid was already drilled for a luggage rack and so I have considered having it restored so that I could fit it to help carry luggage on our longer European Tours.

Well, over the last 2 years my wife has suffered some quite serious falls resulting in many broken bones including, wrists, arms, legs and most recently, has broken a couple of lumbar vertebrae.
Although she is gradually recovering, the pain has affected her mobility quite a lot and so the wheelchair now has to travel with us for the immediate future.

I decided to go for the stainless steel version of the luggage rack, mainly because my car has no bumpers and I think a shiny chrome rack would be a bit too "blingy".

We had our first drive out in the car today for a pub lunch and with a few extra cushions here and there, we managed to make it relatively comfortable for her.

My plan was to keep the luggage rack on the car for a few months and then, swap it for the original boot lid.

However, my wife has kind of scuppered that idea with this casual comment, "So, I will be able to take a suitcase on holidays from now on then?"

Here are a few pictures of the car with boot rack installed.

What do you all think of it?

Cheers
Colyn







Colyn Firth

Colyn
First, very sorry to hear of your wife's falls and her injuries. Wishing her a speedy recovery.

Moving on to your car - I really like how it looks with the boot rack. But maybe I am biased as mine came with a boot rack, so I am used to the look and like it.
As I am sure you have found out already, the boot is quite heavy, even when there is nothing on the rack. You will get used to it.
And if your wife wants to keep it - go with it. Happy wife, happy life!
Graham V

Colyn, my biggest worry is that the rack will slow you down! LOL.
Gary Lock

Colyn. Best for your wife. Re the luggage rack, there’s nothing wrong with that. Looks good, just like mine!
Bruce.

Bruce Mayo

Colyn

Sorry for the reason for making your car look 'proper'. I think it looks excellent with that colour. Best wishes to your wife.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Thanks for not laughing at me Guys, the only worry I have is that I may actually get used to it!

I don't think it will slow me down all that much Gary, the cars top speed is still quite a lot more than I am comfortable driving it. But its sheer pulling power and hill climbing ability is still just brilliant to drive.

We were supposed to be on the MGA Registers Spring Tour Weekend just now, but my wife Chris was just not ready for such a hectic weekend and we decided to cancel.

It's a shame because the weather was amazing, but we managed a 40 mile pub lunch instead, top down, sun shining, great beer, great food and so it was just so good to be out in the MGA again.

We are supposed to be touring the Inner Hebrides with Roger Martin and a few more MGs next month and so we are trying our best to be fit enough for it.

Bruce, is the IOW on the Equator because your picture was on its side! :^)

Thanks Graham,
I used to have a boot rack on my old MkII Coupe and so I am used to the weight it adds to the boot lid. I just hope that the hinges are strong enough to take the weight of the lightweight alloy wheel chair.
I am fairly confident that they will, I have seen both my friends Vaughan Rich and Beth Corbett carry little electric mobility scooters on the boot rack of their MGAs, which makes me fairly confident.

Just waiting now for Steve Gyles "Told you so" reply, :^)

Oh! I just notices Steves very nice comment which he must have posted whilst I was typing this. Well at least I now have a "proper" MGA??
Could have been much worse :^)

Cheers
Colyn
Colyn Firth

p.s Love the colour of your MGA Colyn !!


Aleks
Aleks Stojanovic

Thanks Aleks (sorry, I just noticed your post)
I must admit to liking the colour too, it is apparently a VW/Audi colour called Azurite Blue, but I rather like the name that Les, who is Bob Wests trimmer, gives it.

He calls it Velocette Thruxton Blue, which has a much better vintage ring to it!

Cheers
Colyn
Colyn Firth

Hi Colyn

Yes you were sadly missed at the sunny Lancaster Weekend. By the way if you ever need another rack I have one on my garage wall that came off my original A when I broke it in 1972.

If you do make Roger’s run we may see you as I was comparing notes last weekend with the Jebb’s as we are also in the area at the same time but not in A. Unfortunately we leave the Stonefield Castle Hotel on the day you arrive but we may meet on Arran. I hope you can still make the Scottish MGA day in July. I attach a couple of photos of fabulous hotel grounds

Last but certainly not leads I hope Chris caries on making good progress as it must be so depressing.

Cheers

Paul





Paul Dean

Hi Colyn, sorry to hear about your wife's health issues but I'm happy she can still enjoy the car. You're a good husband to do what needs to be done! I agree with you that a boot rack somewhat spoils the clean lines of the MGA, but on your car with the setup and color you have, it actually doesn't look bad. And now you have a convenient way to open and close the lid. ;)
Steve Simmons

I love the look either way. The rack adds a bit of classic style!
MRH Hoffman

Hi Paul,
yes I was sad to have to miss the MGA Weekend, especially when you had such exceptionally good weather.

Thanks for the offer of the boot rack, I was fortunate enough to be offered the loan of an original rack by James Horner who painted the boot lid.
It was actually a boot-rack with some provenance, as it came off the Rivers Fletcher Coupe PRX 14 which was the works development Coupe.

However, it was a little tired with almost as much rust as chrome showing and it did let the car down a little.

I may have lived with it for a while but for one thing. As I was leaving the paint shop with the newly painted boot lid fitted, Garry who is one of the main paint technicians, took one look at the tatty old boot-rack fitted onto his beautifully painted boot lid, then he looked me in the eye and said in his broad-Yorkshire accent, "It looks a bu**er doesn't it!"

He was correct! So, that is why I called Bob West and ordered a new one as soon as I got home!

Cheers
Colyn

Colyn Firth

Colyn - so sorry to hear about Chris' injuries! Please let her know that Melon and I are thinking of her and hoping for a full recovery.

Your car, especially with that dark blue color, looks great with the rack mounted! Add the fact that Chris can now pack properly for trips and you have a win-win :~)

- Ken
KR Doris

This thread was discussed between 22/05/2023 and 29/05/2023

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