A bit like Marmite its seems, some love it, others hate it. Firstly it is not entirely chrome as widely suggested. The slats are stainless steel so the rack itself does not rust. The parts that let it down a bit are the corners/fitting sections which are pot metal which has been chromed. This anodises rather than rusts and this happens very quickly from new.
The slats are very close to the lid making it a fiddly job to get a chamois leather around it. Likewise care is needed not to scratch the paintwork when using bungys. My car had the rack fitted by the dealer in the USA and it was attached with self-tapping screws. These protrude out the other side with no attempt to hide them. Half of them had also lost their grip so using the rack could have easily lost rack and luggage.
The rear "upstand" is fairly well screwed on but does take a pounding if you drop the bootlid (I have early stays). I always lower the lid carefully and only drop the last inch or two to shut. I do not let other people use the boot unless instructed accordingly! It is also a very handy bar to push the car with, a big no no! I cannot comment how well the rack works with the later gas struts.
Although these racks are a lot more common in the USA they do occasionally do turn up in the UK as I think they were also fitted sometimes to Triumph Stags. Personally I love the rack and do occasionally use it.
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(taken in 1998)
