What is this on running board, see pic

[corvette8n]

What is this gate like thing mounted on the running board?, how is it used?

 

[2manycars]

That is a luggage rack. It was very popular on the model T, which had no driver's door, so it did not interfere with entry. Some older cars had doors that were so high from the running board that they would open with the rack in place. It is not very useful on a model A, as the doors will not open with it in place.

 

[Dan Baron]

It's a time period luggage rack, used to keep things in place on your running board. Another unauthorized accessory.

 

[Keith True]

There are pictures of those racks with lambs,goats,pigs,and dogs tied in them.I came across them pawing through old collections of Life magazines,looking at articles on the depression.I bet somebody clever with the internet could scout some of those pictures up.

 

[Ed Saniewski]

My daughter used to throw her book bag in mine when I would pick her up at high school.