Folding Trunk Rack

[John LaVoy]

Here is an era ad showing the zip-a-rack extended. They are a great rack, I think the best for the Model A. Of course I did make several years ago so might be prejudices

 

[Brentwood Bob]

Thanks John. Thats the rack. It can transport a complete engine from Vancouver to central California with ease. And I can stand on it in the extended position and not bend it at all.So I doubt in use it would ever be a problem. Bob

 

[John LaVoy]

The ad for the original rack says it will hold 700#. Quite impressive.

 

[modelAtony]

New racks with wood slats will soon start looking bad if you drive alot with the trunk on, best thing to do is put on about 5 layers of polyutherine [sp] this will protect your cheap wood slats from wet weather and really make them look better.

 

[Bob-A]

The "Bellevue Handy Dek" is the name for the original trunk rack that is
the most popular reproduction one of today. They came either chrome plated ($18.00) or black enameled ($15.00) with both equiped with wood
grained metal cross bars. A 1930 ad by the Bellevue Mfg. Co. is shown
in the book: "Those Wonderfull Unauthorized Accessories for Model A
Ford". I guess these were supplied by Ford dealers and approved by Henry?!?! The one on midgetracer's car is the Ford made one
as shown in the June 1929, issue of the Ford Service Bulletins. It is also
available as a reproduction. VARCO used to make the best reproductions
of the "Bellevue Handy Dek", but I don't think they do anymore. Not to
long ago I was able to acquire some NOS wood grained metal cross bars.
If and when I am every able to find an original "Handy Dek" I'm going to
black enamel it and use the wood grained bars on it. I've never seen one done like this original or reproduction. The "Handy Dek" on my unrestored
'31 deluxe roadster will stay like it is when I bought the car: very worn, rusty and completely painted green like the body of the car.

Bob-A

 

[HoarseWhisperer]

The Chrome Rack was standard on 1930 Deluxe Roadsters, but was optional in 1931.

Photo of original with metal slats:

 

[Bick in New Zealand]

I don't believe the Handydek was the same rack as supplied by Fomoco. Here are some pictures of a NOS one on my coupe. It is slightly larger than the Ford one. The slats are woodgrained steel like the Ford original.