1928-1929 Ford Trunk Racks
 

I would like to know what sort of Trunk Racks FORD made in the period 1928 - 1929 that where used on the Model A. If possible add a picture! Thank You All!

Re: 1928-1929 Ford Trunk Racks
 

I don't believe Ford made any. I believe they were all aftermarket, some probably sold by Ford dealers. Someone may correct me. FWIW
Paul in CT

Re: 1928-1929 Ford Trunk Racks
 

Look to the MAFCA/MARC Restoration Guidelines and ALL shall be revealed. Look under "ACCESSORIES" in your index (area 16).

There were a host of auxillary manufacturers of luggage/trunk racks made both generically and for specific marques. Additionally, the Ford Motor Company worked with a specific company to design and manufacture a luggage/trunk rack for the NEW FORD. These FORD approved racks were to be sold by the dealers, as a FORD APPROVED accessory. The rack was a two-piece unit that folded in two. It was steel, painted black. It became available at the Ford Dealers aprox. June of 1929, and were for the 1928 & 1929 models.

These racks were reproduced in significant quantities during the 1970s & '80s, and were still available from the Model A Parts houses until quite recently, and may still be found if you search enough catalogs. I suspect that there are more of the reproductions available than there are originals. I have had both and found that the reproductions were an excellent product, and followed the originals very closely. For the untrained eye, you can't tell the difference. These folding racks for the '28 - '29 Model A's were/are quite different than the one-piece chrome / wood-slat racks currently available, which were for the later designed 1930-'31 cars.

Re: 1928-1929 Ford Trunk Racks
 

Here's the photo of the one Doug was referring to. We have one on our late '31 though it takes a different size trunk than the chrome one with the slats.

Re: 1928-1929 Ford Trunk Racks
 

Here are two pictures from the folding trunk rack on my 1929 Phaeton. It folds in a different way then the folding racks seen on the internet. Who knows the maker?

Re: 1928-1929 Ford Trunk Racks
 

These are a little more expensive than the chrome racks offered by most vendors.

http://www.varcoinc.com/

Re: 1928-1929 Ford Trunk Racks
 

I do not have access to my Ford Service Bulletin book but I am quite sure that when Ford introduced the folding trunk rack that it was in the Service Bulletins with photo. I have an original Ford one and it is all black, no wood strips.

Re: 1928-1929 Ford Trunk Racks
 

Here are some excerpts of racks, slats and folding type.

Re: 1928-1929 Ford Trunk Racks
 

It would be nice to have pictures of the relevant pages of the Ford Service Bulletin if that is possible?

Re: 1928-1929 Ford Trunk Racks
 

Contact VARCO in Oklahoma City. They have a website. http://www.varcoinc.com/

Black Powder Coated...............................$350.00/pp cont./USA
Un-coated............................................ ....$330.00/pp cont./USA
Standard Fold in the Middle Trunk Rack:
Size 16" X 33" for 1928-31 Model "A" ford and others. Die-stamped steel rack complete w/authentic rolled inner edges and duplicate hinges, belt loops braces and brackets.

Rack Extensions for Model "A" Ford with Rear Spare:
(specify year, model)................................$39.00 pair/pp cont./USA

Re: 1928-1929 Ford Trunk Racks
 

I just put one of Varco’s trunk rack and trunk on my 29 Phaeton. Very pleased with the workmanship.

Re: 1928-1929 Ford Trunk Racks
 

At $350 for the VARCO reproduction of the FORD AUTHORIZED accessory luggage/trunk rack for the '28-'29 Ford Model A (and it can be used on later '30-'31 cars too), the VARCO rack is more than twice the price of a currently available reproduction luggage/trunk rack with the wood-slats (originals had wood-grained metal slats) ($150).

However, having seen and used both of the two different types of racks, my experience has shown that the $350 VARCO rack is three times BETTER than the cheaper reproduction rack made for the 1930-'31 (but also used on '28-'29 cars). The real evidence comes out more fully, after about 10 years of use.

I can certainly understand the concern for cost - and it is a significant and legitimate concern. But if one can get past that frightfull hurdle, or if one plans on keeping the car for a long time, or if one is concerned about quality, then the better quality and craftsmanship of the VARCO rack would be well worth the extra dollars and would certainly be my choice. There IS a solid and legitimate reason for the extra cost.

The only reason I would hesitate on the folding rack, is if I were installing a rack on a '30-'31 car. Then I would feel that the later rack made for the later style ('30-'31) Model A, would be more 'age appropriate'. At that point I would be torn between being 'more correct', and my value for quality.

Re: 1928-1929 Ford Trunk Racks
 

Picture one is of the Varco rack on my 29 tudor with the cheaper type on a 30-31 "Vicki" parked behind me. I think the VARCO rack looks much better on my 29. Picture two shows the rack with an all steel trunk installed on it. Again IMHO a great look that is very appropriate for my 29.

Re: 1928-1929 Ford Trunk Racks
 

Here is a photo of the Ford Model A accessories brochure showing the Ford trunk rack in the lower right corner:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1515123456

Brad in Maryland