luggage rack on S4?

9778 Views 34 Replies 14 Participants Last post by lc69, May 4, 2015

lgbalfa

Discussion Starter · Dec 12, 2007

does anyone have a removable chrome luggage rack on their S4?

i like the look of it but would not want it permanent.

thanks.

1 - 20 of 35 Posts

Tifosi

· #2 · Dec 12, 2007

I've seen a few pix here of pretty much all series with them. I'm not even certain there was a 'permanant' one available actually, as all I've ever seen is the removable type.

You might try up in the general section in one of the picture threads, though it's not likely using the search engine to try and find specific threads will be of use unforunately, as I'm sorta of a mind that it hasn't come up as a thread/topic/keyword of it's own. (of course I could be wrong, but it wouldn't be the first time

)

As a sort of releveant tangent:

Why would you want one besides 'the look'?

My own deck lid is pretty well tweaked/sprung without one, though it is usable, from someone putting stuff on top of it rather than in the trunk proper. (after some of the stuff I found in the car in the crevises and under the seats after purchase, I've sorta got the idea that someone was really high and humping thier fat chick on the rear deck. LOL)

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Dolce86

· #3 · Dec 12, 2007

I've sorta got the idea that someone was really high and humping thier fat chick on the rear deck. LOL)[/QUOTE]

Geezer

· #4 · Dec 12, 2007

Be thankful for the truck space that you have. Ever look at the trunk of a BMW Z3 or Z4. The deck lid on my '82 is pretty flimbsy. I would think that any amount of weight would tweak the poor thing.

Peter

· #5 · Dec 12, 2007

I had one on my 79 that came with it. I kinda liked the look, but if i remember correctly I left it on because taking it off would reveal damaged paint under the mounting points

I would not get one on my mint deck lid

jamieandthemagi

· #6 · Dec 12, 2007 (Edited)

Ive got one, its italian, not sure of the manufacturer - the logo is a little elephant.

it has rubber feet & a brcket the slips round & under the boot lip, although the feet do need extra protection, as they ruined the paint after being left on for 6 months - I needed the boot resprayed anyway.

I needed to adjust the boot springs to their strongest setting.............but remember to re-adjust them after removal.........otherwise you boot has a tendancy to want to launch itself into orbit.

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3

Zunige

· #7 · Dec 12, 2007

If you don't have an Alfa Accessories Catalog, the OEM luggage rack is still fairly easy to recognize, as it is about the only one with 5 rods. Below is a picture of one. It is a permanent mount type, and Alfa never offered a removable rack - at least not for the traditional Spider. The OEM rack is sturdy, and distributes the weight very well. You would be surprised at how much weight it can carry without damaging the trunk lid. (When I was in college, on more than one occasion I moved my solid wood desk by placing it on the rack. It looked much bigger than the car!

By the way, it was a nice desk, and I still have it!

)

There is one company in the U.S. that offers very nice removable racks for Porsches, Miatas, and Hondas, but not for our classic Alfas. There are European outfits nonetheless, which IIRC do offer removable racks for our Spiders. I'm more certain about there being one for the series 4 Spiders, than the other earlier models. I don't think that one was ever made for the Spiders with the rear spoiler, since most designs secure the removable rack by wrapping around the front and back of the trunk lid. If I were looking for one, I would start by searching in the German web sites.

Iron Metal Shelf Automotive exterior Bumper

Best regards,

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Tifosi

· #8 · Dec 12, 2007

Cool.

I learned something today

the_sicilian

· #9 · Dec 12, 2007

im looking for one to purchase for my Kamm-tail 74'

the Kamms really wear it well since theres nothing on the boot-lid like 3rd-brake-lighting or spoilers.i really dont think it works aesthetically on the newer spiders. chrome boot-racks were old-school 60's and 70's .

lgbalfa

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 12, 2007

Tifosi said:
I've seen a few pix here of pretty much all series with them. I'm not even certain there was a 'permanant' one available actually, as all I've ever seen is the removable type.

You might try up in the general section in one of the picture threads, though it's not likely using the search engine to try and find specific threads will be of use unforunately, as I'm sorta of a mind that it hasn't come up as a thread/topic/keyword of it's own. (of course I could be wrong, but it wouldn't be the first time )

As a sort of releveant tangent:

Why would you want one besides 'the look'?

My own deck lid is pretty well tweaked/sprung without one, though it is usable, from someone putting stuff on top of it rather than in the trunk proper. (after some of the stuff I found in the car in the crevises and under the seats after purchase, I've sorta got the idea that someone was really high and humping thier fat chick on the rear deck. LOL)

no reason - i just like the way they look.

lgbalfa

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 12, 2007

Geezer said:
Be thankful for the truck space that you have. Ever look at the trunk of a BMW Z3 or Z4. The deck lid on my '82 is pretty flimbsy. I would think that any amount of weight would tweak the poor thing.

for a small car - it def has good trunk space. i would not put anything on it - just like the look.

lgbalfa

Discussion Starter · #12 · Dec 12, 2007

Zunige said:
If you don't have an Alfa Accessories Catalog, the OEM luggage rack is still fairly easy to recognize, as it is about the only one with 5 rods. Below is a picture of one. It is a permanent mount type, and Alfa never offered a removable rack - at least not for the traditional Spider. The OEM rack is sturdy, and distributes the weight very well. You would be surprised at how much weight it can carry without damaging the trunk lid. (When I was in college, on more than one occasion I moved my solid wood desk by placing it on the rack. It looked much bigger than the car! By the way, it was a nice desk, and I still have it! )

There is one company in the U.S. that offers very nice removable racks for Porsches, Miatas, and Hondas, but not for our classic Alfas. There are European outfits nonetheless, which IIRC do offer removable racks for our Spiders. I'm more certain about there being one for the series 4 Spiders, than the other earlier models. I don't think that one was ever made for the Spiders with the rear spoiler, since most designs secure the removable rack by wrapping around the front and back of the trunk lid. If I were looking for one, I would start by searching in the German web sites.

View attachment 86819

Best regards,

thanks for the info.

lgbalfa

Discussion Starter · #13 · Dec 12, 2007

jamieandthemagi said:
Ive got one, its italian, not sure of the manufacturer - the logo is a little elephant.

it has rubber feet & a brcket the slips round & under the boot lip, although the feet do need extra protection, as they ruined the paint after being left on for 6 months - I needed the boot resprayed anyway.

I needed to adjust the boot springs to their strongest setting.............but remember to re-adjust them after removal.........otherwise you boot has a tendancy to want to launch itself into orbit.

ive seen pictures of your car before. the rack looks great on it. you did a very nice job to it. wood steering wheel also looks great.

kredden

· #14 · Dec 13, 2007

My S3 came with a permanent mount luggage rack like the one Enrique posted only painted black.

Kevin

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Peter

· #15 · Dec 13, 2007

kredden said:
My S3 came with a permanent mount luggage rack like the one Enrique posted only painted black.

Kevin

I have always wondered how they should be installed. Both yours and Jamie's are installed so that the luggage does not slide off while it is not tied down. I sometimes thought it made more sense to install them the other way around, so that if you would have to brake really hard, there would be a better chance your would not get hit in the neck by luggage flying off the rack

kredden

· #16 · Dec 13, 2007

, personally I accelerate hard far more often than I brake hard! Actually I've never even used the rack, but can't remove it because of the mounting holes.

Kevin

Zunige

· #17 · Dec 13, 2007

kredden said:
My S3 came with a permanent mount luggage rack like the one Enrique posted only painted black.

Kevin

I'd forgotten about this until I saw your post... Black is OEM. They were offered in both black and chrome.

Best regards,

Bill

· #18 · Dec 13, 2007

I have a factory version on mine that came with it.
It is mounted with thru-bolts to the cross bracing under the lid and is very strong and stable.
I have left it on for 5 years now and I love both the look and the utilitarian nature of it when needed. Having a couple of bags or suitcases tied to it when I do long trips makes me feel a little more like I'm touring than traveling.

Go for it!

Zunige

· #19 · Dec 13, 2007

Bill said:
... It is mounted with thru-bolts to the cross bracing under the lid and is very strong and stable. ...

Bill,
When you get a chance could you please take a picture(s) and post it on this thread?

Best regards,

WopJob

· #20 · Dec 13, 2007

Where are you going with all that luggage?

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