Bending up a roof rack

[Streichholzschächtelchen]

What material should I bend it with? I don't want to go the super cheap galvanized and the lighter the better. Trying to see if my pops still has connections to aircraft grade aluminum, he's an ex-aircraft mechanic. :)

Bent up tubes can look so good on cars.....

[Farbin Kaiber]

No. Just buy a Thule.

[Streichholzschächtelchen]

No. Just buy a Thule.

No. I'm going to bend up a rack, already have plans. Imagine flat sided ovals and perpendicular bars along the bottom. Thule racks are ugly and played out, not to mention they wouldn't look nearly as good as a tube rack on a euro bumpered car. Planning on going all tubes, no wood or any other material.

[BraveUlysses]

Those racks are for old cars that have no room in the trunk.



Which doesn't apply to the E30.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Sounds like it will be a great looking, waste of time project. Good luck. Can't wait to see it.

[dvck]

he can always buy a thule rack when he regrets this ;)

i say this is a cool project, but i really dont think the lines
and the general design of our cars.

a question i have is, is this just for looks or what do you
plan on hauling around? GL :up:

[Farbin Kaiber]

European Cordova leather luggage. With brass hasps.

[dvck]

my favorite part about all this is that he asks for advice when
he seems to have a well set and decided plan that hes going to
go with.

thule squared toobs are pure win on e30's

[bimmerpirate]

I dont see how you could possibly pull it off and make it look good. you'd be better off getting a thule rack and making a basket with your silly bent tubes. Honestly, few cars actually have bent tube roof racks. you showed a trunk rack.

but to answer your question, go with aluminum. I'll go great with diving boards.

[chadthestampede]

I had a rack like that on the trunk of my car but some asshole hit and destroyed it one night while I was double parked getting something at a friend's house.

[bimmerpirate]

I had a rack like that on the trunk of my car but some asshole hit and destroyed it one night while I was double parked getting something at a friend's house.

who's the bigger asshole? the one who hit a parked car or the one who was blocking the road to begin with?

[dannyg]

I'll save you the trouble...

[Streichholzschächtelchen]

Lol I'm going to order some aluminum tomorrow hopefully.

[maniacmatt]

A friend of mine did something like what you are talking aboubt for his old mini. He used electrical conduit.

It worked great as its easy to bend, dirt cheap and you can put it all together with conduit clamps. No welding required.

[newman]

This thread reeks of poor. But not in a good way like that ghettoed out prelude.