Original MGF Luggage Carrier

[Andy Raggett]

Hi Everyone,

Does anybody know if it is still possible to get hold of an original/genuine MGF luggage carrier, part No. VTF100050?

Cheers

Andy

[ashleyfrazer]

Hi Andy
Do you mean the black one that clips on or the silver one where you drill the boot? The latter was also used by BMW on the Z3. Ash

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[Andy Raggett]

Hi Ash, I was asking about the silver one where you have to drill the boot lid.
I was intrigued to read that it is the same as the BMW Z3 rack. I was even more intrigued to read that the luggage case was made by the same people who made the BMW motorcycle panniers. Looking at the picture, the lock and handle were straight off the motorcycle panniers I had several years ago on my BMW motorcycle.

[ashleyfrazer]

Hi
I would register on some Z3 forums and see what's out there. I can remove the rack and put in 4 blanks to fill the holes and they came from a Z3 forum. I got the boot drilled by an engineering firm locally. They worked it out from one picture of the inside of the boot. You are welcome to measure my car if we are ever at the same event or local (Bucks)

You are right about the handle and how it works the locks. I always tell people that MG just filled to case with magnets to make it look like its just sitting there. I do add a strap though!

Ash

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[Geoff.F]

The kit came with a plastic sheet jig to locate the holes.
Two points to note.
There are 2 support plates that fit under the boot lid.
BMW racks were stainless steel but later MGR were poor chrome plating.
In 2005 with the demise of MGR. B&G bought up the stock and sold them at half price. S S.
Someone updated their F with a TF Bootlid so I bought his original in the correct silver.
Needing a harness, I bought a scrap lid to rob which came with the later rack albeit the mounts were rusty. Rimmer Bros sold a set of SS mounts. No body wanted a new case on E-Bay so being the first and only bidder I had it.
The old rack,Case and Jig went to Canada.
The interchangeable spare lid is in the garage.
Geoff.F

[ashleyfrazer]

Could this be it? On B+G website.

Good point on the bars. They are attached with rivets I think.

Ash

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[Geoff.F]

Probably Aftermarket with a B&G Part Number.
Expensive !!
Geoff.F

[Andy Raggett]

Hi Ash & Geoff,
Thanks for your swift responses and tips. I did find the original drawing somewhere and realised there was a template involved.
I’ll keep my eye open in both MG and BMW Z3 circles on the off chance something will pop up. So far, the only rack that has popped up though was on EBay Australia, so I’ve discounted that one for the moment.

Cheers.

Andy

[MGF74]

You're probably set on buying a carrier that involves drilling holes in your bootlid, but just as a suggestion, there are very decent looking aftermarket ones that simply clamp onto the lid with adjustable brackets, where you don't have to drill any holes.

Any drill holes in your lid will eventually run the risk of catching rust despite your best efforts.

My car came with an adjustable luggage rack from the previous owner, and it kind of makes more sense to me. It may not look as neat as one that's bolted onto the lid, but it does look tidier whenever you decide you want to remove the rack. And, again, no worries about rust.

[Andy Raggett]

You have a good point about drilling holes and the potential for rust developing.

For the moment I am going to hold off getting a rack, as most likely I won’t need to use it, as we can travel lightly most of the time, especially me, as not so long ago I used to be able to carry enough in two motorcycle panniers for 7-10 days away, therefore an MGF boot should have more than enough space for a couple of bags.

[nigelandjo]

You can get a rack which doesn't require drilling holes, it clips on to the edge of the boot. We have one that we've used once or twice. Can't recall the make now ~ will look next time I'm in the garage.

[Chris Tideswell]

I bought a clip on boot rack just after buying the TF in 2005 because I thought I would need it, so far I've used it once so I would see if you need one before committing to getting one.

[Chris Tideswell]

Not quite what you were looking for: https://www.mg-rover.org/threads/mgf-tf ... ck.875044/

[Geoff.F]

Chris
This is the Italian adjustable rack that doubled in price with an MG badge.
Geoff.F

[nigelandjo]

Not quite what you were looking for: https://www.mg-rover.org/threads/mgf-tf ... ck.875044/

That's like the one we have. Only used it for camping.

[ashleyfrazer]

Make sure the one in the pictures has the locks with it. The covers can go missing easily.
Ash

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[Geoff.F]

• My car is Swiss RHD Export bought at the 2000 Geneva MotorShow when we were living in Basle. E-Bay showed the Italian Maker of the “Black MG ClipOn Rack” so I bought one which was replaced with the chrome in 2006.
  Retiring in 2001, we took the car over once if not twice a year until 2019 for skiing,The Stelvio Run, The Register Geneva Run, Swiss EOTYs and meets.
  If you have the MG case then you will need a roll of Duck Tape for the lid joint for wet AutoBahn driving.
  Geoff.F

[Reckless Rat]

Sell the wife and put your suitcase on the passenger seat!

[Andy Raggett]

Sell the wife and put your suitcase on the passenger seat!

I can’t do that, she is the best map reader and satnav I have in the MG

[MGF74]

I can’t do that, she is the best map reader and satnav I have in the MG

Google Maps has come a long way though

I can confirm that you will probably never really use a luggage rack unless you want to make a point of frequently travelling somewhere with more than two fullsize sports bags.

Mine came with the car. It's all chrome and I understand they are ludicrously expensive these days, but it has really only been collecting dust in a corner in the basement the last eleven years. I'm glad the previous owner threw it in as a free extra as he was going to have no more use for it. Otherwise, it would have been money out the window.