Project roof rack

RallyBob · 03-20-2009

I found a few lengths of 3/4" square aluminum tubing in my barn and decided to put them to good use by building a 'safari' style roof rack for my '72 Ascona wagon. So armed with an inexpensive Woodward Fabrication tubing bender ($190), I fabbed up the rack you see below.

Sparky73 · 03-21-2009

I like it. Nice touch with the "OPEL" on the side.

RallyBob · 03-21-2009

And the last few pics.

BQS4 · 03-21-2009

OOOOOOHHHH, nice, I want one!!! Great job Bob!

opelgtguy · 03-21-2009

Originally Posted by BQS4

OOOOOOHHHH, nice, I want one!!! Great job Bob!

..... and a matching rifle rack too, Gene ?

jerseydave · 03-21-2009

Very nice Bob. Somehow I knew Gene would like it!

oldopelguy · 03-21-2009

So if you suddenly found 100' of 1.5" wide aluminum flat stock in the barn would you make me some rear window louvers the same way for a Kadett wagon and a 1900 wagon? 'Cause it could be arranged......

Aardvaark · 03-21-2009

Real nice! Looks pretty industrial strength. Bet you could sell a few.....

RallyBob · 03-21-2009

Originally Posted by BQS4

OOOOOOHHHH, nice, I want one!!! Great job Bob!

Somehow I knew you'd like it Gene!

RallyBob · 03-21-2009

Originally Posted by Aardvaark

Real nice! Looks pretty industrial strength. Bet you could sell a few.....

It's actually extremely lightweight because of the material used. I'm guessing around 15-20 lbs overall. But I'm not expecting to put huge weight on it. It's more a convenience thing, and to reduce wear-and-tear on the wagon interior if I have to haul anything around.

Doubt I could sell many unless I went to steel and MIG'd them together. Fabrication time and welding time was extensive, so I'd have to sell them for ridiculous money just to break even. But it was something I've wanted to do for a while, and of course the 'OPEL' lettering makes it totally unique.

SpringGT · 03-21-2009

Very nice work! I don't need a roof rack, but I am sure lusting after that nice Miller welder in the background of the first picture.

jtb · 03-21-2009

Nice Work!

I always like to see custom fabbed stuff - much more interesting than "look at the aftermarket part I bolted on"

cheers,

jtb

RallyBob · 03-21-2009

Originally Posted by jtb

I always like to see custom fabbed stuff - much more interesting than "look at the aftermarket part I bolted on"

I agree. My friends shake their heads and ask me why I like such oddball cars with no aftermarket support...knowing I have to make all the goodies from scratch. I ask them instead why they like to drive around in cars that have great aftermarket support but you end up seeing another one every 5 minutes driving down the road?

BQS4 · 03-21-2009

Originally Posted by RallyBob

knowing I have to make all the goodies from scratch.

Bob, you can also look at it this way, yes you built it from scratch, but, it's better built, than what you might have gotten just by walking in and getting it off the shelf...

RallyBob · 03-21-2009

Originally Posted by BQS4

Bob, you can also look at it this way, yes you built it from scratch, but, it's better built, than what you might have gotten just by walking in and getting it off the shelf...

Thanks for the kind words Gene. I try...it doesn't always turn out the way I want things to, but in this case it's real close.

I usually get a vision in my head of the way I want something to look like, then I sketch it down on paper to smooth the details out, then I just start cutting metal!

ghcoe · 03-22-2009

Originally Posted by RallyBob

I agree. My friends shake their heads and ask me why I like such oddball cars with no aftermarket support...knowing I have to make all the goodies from scratch. I ask them instead why they like to drive around in cars that have great aftermarket support but you end up seeing another one every 5 minutes driving down the road?

I like it when they see one and want one they can not find one for themselves. Keeps it unique

! That is why I own a Sudebaker too.

74Opel1900 · 03-22-2009

Very impressive. I hope I get the pleasure of seeing your work in person one day.

RallyBob · 06-05-2009

Figured I'd post a few pictures with the rack fitted to my wagon.

Aardvaark · 06-05-2009

Groovy!

03-21-2009	#2 (permalink)
Sparky73 1000 Post Club Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Saginaw, MI Posts: 1,279 Real Name: Jon Provided Answers: 2	I like it. Nice touch with the "OPEL" on the side. __________________ Current 1970 GT; Under Construction Previous 1969 GT; Street/Strip Project 1969 GT; White with Black Interior, Automatic 1969 GT; Black Parts Car 1969 GT; White Parts Car 1970 GT; Silver with Red Interior 1971 GT; Orange with Black Interior, Turbo 1972 GT; Red Parts Car 1972 GT; Blue with Black Interior 1973 GT; Pearl Blue with Black interior. Full body kit.

03-21-2009	#4 (permalink)
BQS4 Southern Red Neck Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Snellville, GA Posts: 6,029 Real Name: Gene Provided Answers: 12	OOOOOOHHHH, nice, I want one!!! Great job Bob! __________________ "Yes, I do have a rifle rack in my Sportwagon"

03-21-2009	#6 (permalink)
jerseydave Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 693 Provided Answers: 1	Very nice Bob. Somehow I knew Gene would like it! __________________ Dave 73 Opel GT-work in progress 74 Manta 75 Manta Previous 72 Manta Rallye-owned 1974-1979

03-21-2009	#7 (permalink)
oldopelguy Have Opel, Will Travel Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Saint Michael, MN Posts: 1,727 Logbook Entries: 3 Provided Answers: 2	So if you suddenly found 100' of 1.5" wide aluminum flat stock in the barn would you make me some rear window louvers the same way for a Kadett wagon and a 1900 wagon? 'Cause it could be arranged...... __________________ 1958 Rekord Sedan, 1958 Olympia Wagon, 1959 Opel Olympia Sedan, 1967 Kadett Coupe, 1967 Admiral Sedan 4L CIH-6, 1968 Kadett fastback 1.1L, 1970 Kadett Wagon Turbo 2.2L, 1971 Kadett Sedan 1.1L, 1975 Manta Wagon 4.3L V-6

03-21-2009	#8 (permalink)
Aardvaark UFO pel abductee. Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 2,242 Real Name: Mark Paar (not Parr) Provided Answers: 5	Real nice! Looks pretty industrial strength. Bet you could sell a few..... __________________ -Mark '75 Manta Direct link to my album of Opel related parts catalogs and magazine articles for reference: http://www.opelgt.com/photopost/show...ser/23031/sl/a

03-21-2009	#11 (permalink)
SpringGT Opeler Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 252	Very nice work! I don't need a roof rack, but I am sure lusting after that nice Miller welder in the background of the first picture.

03-21-2009	#12 (permalink)
jtb Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Vancouver Canada Posts: 415	Nice Work! I always like to see custom fabbed stuff - much more interesting than "look at the aftermarket part I bolted on" cheers, jtb

03-22-2009	#17 (permalink)
74Opel1900 Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 325 Real Name: Brian Provided Answers: 1	Very impressive. I hope I get the pleasure of seeing your work in person one day.

06-05-2009	#19 (permalink)
Aardvaark UFO pel abductee. Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 2,242 Real Name: Mark Paar (not Parr) Provided Answers: 5	Groovy! __________________ -Mark '75 Manta Direct link to my album of Opel related parts catalogs and magazine articles for reference: http://www.opelgt.com/photopost/show...ser/23031/sl/a

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