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Triumph TR3 - Luggage Racks

Gentlemen,

What are the best ways to go on a luggage rack for the TR3A? What types are recommended, and what are the best sources for obtaining them?

I'm reluctant to drill into the rear deck, and I really only want to have the rack on when travel requires the extra luggage carrying capacity. Otherwise I love the clean lines of the deck sans rack. What are my best options given those issues?

It was 72 degrees today, blue sky, white clouds, absolutely perfect weather for tooling around Indy. What a great way to enjoy it.

Thanks, all.

Bill Stagg
1961 TR3A
Bill Stagg

The original rack was attached at the top with a longer pin in both the hinges for the rear boot (trunk) lid (door). The bottom was held on by small clips that went around the botton (rearward) lip of the boot lid. No holes were required.

You can see all this in Auburn in a few days. I'll be there.

Don Elliott, 1958 TR3A
Don Elliott

Don,

Thanks for the info. I'm getting some pictures of what this rack looks like. Seems a good way to go. Do you leave your rack on all the time, or do you knock it off occasionally? If the latter, how has that been working?

Can't wait to get to Auburn. I plan to inspect a lot of cars, and I'm bringing lots of film.

See you then!

Bill
Bill Stagg

I don't have a luggage rack and never had one. I pack what I need into the car. When I travel alone, I camp and have the other seat for all my stuff. When I tour with Louise, we travel lightly and on a 13-day trip to Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, ferry to Nova Scotia and back through New Brunswick then Quebec City to Montreal (2300 miles), we had everything in the rear space and in the "boot". That included my tools, top and side curtains. But we never had to put them on. The only problen happened in Maine when I had to buy a bulb to replace the RH side front signal flasher.

Don Elliott, 1958 TR3A
Don Elliott

O' Wise and Savvy TR Travelers,

My wife and I are looking forward with great anticipation to TRA next month in Auburn, especially since it's less than three hours up the road from us. Not a bad event to serve as our first-ever TR or classic car gathering. While I can take a logical approach to planning (I've been to two-wheeled rallies and gatherings), I'd welcome any advice on how to prepare or what to expect for TRA.

For example, Are there certain spare parts you just simply "must" travel with? (A Moto Guzzi biker buddy and I ran up to Canada from Washington, D.C. once, and damned if he wasn't packing the very universal joint for his drive shaft that blew out in Maine.) What kind of opportunities will there be to purchase parts, accessories or memorabilia? What do most people do to protect their cars from the occasional thunderstorm or blizzard? If you're showing your car, what about cleaning it up? If you're entering your car in participant's choice, how long will it (and you) be tied up in one place?

Thanks for any advice from you sage and savvy TR-heads.

Hope to you in Auburn,

Bill Stagg
1961 TR3A

Bill Stagg

I take my tool box, a spare generator, a screw in cap for the top of my coil and a lot of polish cloths, a bucket, soap and polish. I also take or buy a small can of white spirit to clean off any grease. Your trip is only 3 hours. To that's just around the corner. My trip will be three days and about 1500 miles. So I try to arrive early to clean up "TRusty". This year the concours is on the Friday with the driving tours etc. afterwards. As for protection against rain, etc., the best protection is a good paint job. When I'm 1000 miles from home on my way somewhere, I can expect that it may rain. It's not worse than washing your car. It just takes a litle longer to clean it all off underneath. Most of the top concours cars are owned by "Trailer Queens" who have been polishing their lovely treasures since last October and they come with closed trailers or they cover them with a tarp. They must have a large house with a large mantle to mount all the wall plaques and trophies they win.

"Trusty" is my trophy - and that's the way we both like it. You have to drive these cars to keep them running properly and in my case to keep me young - like 45 years younger. TRusty has rarely let me down during the last 12 summers and over 70,000 miles.

BTW TRA is not next month - it's in a week and a half.

Roadster Factory will be there with a truckload of almost every item you might need or want.

For either the judged concours or participant's choice, you will be up at 6 AM to work on those last details and it'll be over by about 3 or 4 PM.

See you there.

I'm performing minor surgery to remove the battery box today in a friend's smallmouth TR3 and to MIG weld in a new one.

Don Elliott, 1958 TR3A
Don Elliott

Don,

Thanks for the tips and info. TRA has been "months off" for so long, it's hard to believe it's finally here.

I'm not so much competing for placement as I am wanting feedback on the car. It will be interesting to see how this works. The real kick for me will seeing, finally, other TR2s, 3s, 3As and 3Bs. It will be the first chance to study someone else's car since I've had mine. I am very curious...

Good luck on the battery box surgery today. I assume you'll scrub up AFTER it's over. I'll be sewing in the replacement plexiglas stationery windows I had cut so that I can go bravely into the weather with serviceable, though well-worn sidecurtains. If you happen to have any good advice on how to get the rubber sealing strips and steel supports to fit on the edge of the stationery window, I'd love to hear it.

See you soon, Don. May your drive to TRA be a good one!

Bill
Bill Stagg

This thread was discussed between 06/06/2003 and 07/06/2003

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