[Mike V. Florida]

LUGGAGE CARRIER RACK
With the introduction of the De Luxe Phaeton in June 1930,
a deluxe luggage carrier rack (A- 18575-B) was included as
standard equipment. In February 1931 , this carrier rack was
no longer a standard item, but could be added at extra cost.
This carrier rack was only used on the De Luxe Phaeton.
Luggage carrier racks on De Luxe Phaetons after January
1931 are judged in Area 16.
The platform, connecting links and threaded rod were
chrome plated. On the platfo1m, only the rear facing face
and four sides were polished. The opposite face of the
platform was a dull finish (the same process as used on
bumpers). The plating did not completely fill in the comers,
so aluminum paint was sprayed in these areas to provide a
uniform finish.
All of the hardware was cadmium plated, including the two
clips that hold the carrier rack in the upright stored position.
The gloss black enamel mounting brackets were unique to
the De Luxe Phaeton and secured by four hex head bolts,
nuts and lock washers.
Four wood-grained steel slats were mounted to the rear
surface (in the upright position) of the platform. The
woodgrain pattern was specified as walnut and the colors
were similar to walnut woodgrained interior mouldings.
However, the slats used a straight grain and not a burl
pattern.
Platforms produced in the first couple of months were
manufactured with square corners, created by bending the
1-1/4" sides to a right angle. The folded sides formed a
sharp comer that was not welded. In September 1930, the
platform was stamped to form the sides and this design had
rounded corners. Downgrade for a 1931 vehicle with the
early square corner platform.
A similar luggage carrier rack (A-18575-C) was released
as standard equipment on the De Luxe Roadster in August
1930. These carrier racks were sold as accessories for all
other body styles beginning in August 1930. The finishes on
these were identical to those on the De Luxe Phaeton carrier
rack. Although, the two carrier racks are very similar in
appearance, the major components are not interchangeable.
The De Luxe Roadster platform pivoted lower on the side
near the corner, thus requiring different connecting links and
clips to hold the platform upright. The De Luxe Roadster
luggage carrier rack utilized different mounting brackets
that positioned the carrier rack directly above the mounting
bolts. Luggage carrier racks on De Luxe Roadsters were
an accessory after January 1931 and are judged in Area
16 - Accessories.