Planning on a road trip at some point this year, so looking at my options regarding a boot rack . looked at quite a few on the web, asking for advice opinions etc. Don't fancy the strapped on bag method, looking at the bolt on type as in drilling and permanent fixing, although haven't yet come to terms with this idea.
Dave M

The OEM one was a strap on/removable one.
I'm considering this one:

http://www.boot-bag.com/store/bespoke/fiat-barchetta-stainless-steel-boot-luggage-rack.html

Professorwho said:

The OEM one was a strap on/removable one.
I'm considering this one:

http://www.boot-bag.com/store/bespoke/fiat-barchetta-stainless-steel-boot-luggage-rack.html

Click to expand...

Looked at this also, it does look the part and it's custom made. I just worry about the positioning of the fixings, the Barchetta is said to have a boot prone to dinting also the fixings are sitting on a large area of paint work, although they do have rubber protection.
Looking at this one fixings are as per the original rack that Fiat provided, but doesn't look as nice.
http://boot-bag.com/store/catalog/product/gallery/image/650/id/96/
Decisions, decisions.:hm:

My B came with original rack fitted 17 years ago. It clamps on the edges of the boot lid. I dont know if it has damaged the paint or dented the lid. I don't want to remove it and find out!!

I recently bought a second hand FAPA Unispider chrome boot rack but it wont go on the car as the shut lines are too narrow for the clamps to fit into. I read that Fiat change the quality of the steel in the boot lid so the rack probably fits older cars but not my 2002...

Dave, ive got the standard clamp on versión and had no probs, Ive removed it once and there is no damage as such and can confirm that there are thin rubber sections between clamp and boot metalwork. There is some allowance for fine adjustment on the boot.

Davefridge said:

My B came with original rack fitted 17 years ago. It clamps on the edges of the boot lid. I dont know if it has damaged the paint or dented the lid. I don't want to remove it and find out!!

Click to expand...

You might have/want to remove it. Who ever put it on put in on back to front

The vertical rail should be top most up the boot. It is not supposed to stop object sliding off the rack (the straps do that) but to stop objects going forward as projectile in the event of heavy braking or in an accident.

We have the same Fiat OEM rack on our 'B' which I purchased an fitted and the instructions clearly state the correct orientation for the rack.

Dave ,


that might be the case, but to me it doesnt look correct having the stop at the above position.

My yellow B came also with that boot rack, but mounted the correct way. As s130 said, the vertical rail avoids your luggage flying against your neck in case of hard breaking.
I put my boot rack off to clean the B when I bought her and the only marks were a darker yellow and the "feet" of the boot rack.

My rack came with my B, 15 years ago, fitted that way round. I prefer it with the raised rail towards the rear and I aint gonna turn it around for no one! So there! I had a look on Google images for "Boot lid rack" and found them fitted both ways. (see link). Maybe we could have a vote on it!


http://www.carbootracks.co.uk/fiat_barchetta_boot_rack.htm

On track days, depending on clockwise/anticlockwise, you twist the boot rack through 90 degrees and have the vertical segment on the outside

Davefridge said:

My rack came with my B, 15 years ago, fitted that way round. I prefer it with the raised rail towards the rear and I aint gonna turn it around for no one! So there! I had a look on Google images for "Boot lid rack" and found them fitted both ways. (see link). Maybe we could have a vote on it!

Click to expand...

Everyone's opinion welcome of course, but in my experience it is more practical for loading/unloading a case to position the rack as the makers intended.


I bought a hard-shell Samsonite (cheap, because unsuitable for airplanes) & leather belts from an oversize outfitters, then secured it with a bike lock. This has worked well for trips as far as Italy for 5 years now (picture was from spring in the Pyrenees).


As for looks, I wouldn't want it any other way ... although sideways sounds tempting!