Is this a factory rack?

[SnowWhite]

I bought this 1966 230SL, 4 speed, from the original owner who took new delivery new in Stuttgart.   Didn't think to ask her about the rack.

Thanks for your input.

[RAY]

From my research Mercedes only made two racks, a ski rack and a roof rack, both clipped into ' garnish ' rails on the roof so they were both removable. Don't think they ever made a permanent rack for the trunk.
looks like a good car though, nice find !
Ray

[Garry]

As an after market option this style rack had two alternative ways to mount it.  There were two schools of thought on which way the rack went.
 
One was as the photo shows with the raised lip at the rear of the boot/trunk lid.  That way the luggage did not slide off. 

The second school of thought had it around the other way with the raised lip to the forward edge of the boot/trunk thus stopping the luggage flying forward in a hard stop or accident.  This is more important in a convertible like the W113 and such cars as the Alfa and Fiat Spiders and the MG’s of the period. The chances of losing your head was greater and I have seen many around that way.

Any others care to comment?

Garry

[JamesL]

Point of order

No MG ever braked that hard

[Flyair]

@Garry: your remark about the higher part facing the front makes sense. I would rather install it that way. However, I think that if the HT is on, in most cases the rear glass would be in danger each time the boot/trunk is opened.

In fact, while definitely ugly, to be really safe and useful, the rack should have the retainer part raised on both ends.

@James: very true, indeed

[Garry]

I agree Stan and I am not sure that the rack pictured was never really meant for a Pagoda, it is quite large compared to others.

James, MG’s at least try to stop, early Kombis merely slow somewhat when brakes are applied in an emergency

[Montreal V8]

    This style of rack was quite a popular accessory of the era. Whilst living in London in the early '60s I fitted one to my Healey 3000, as we were doing a camping tour through Europe. It was secured by clamps, eliminating holes, thus making it removable. Some years later, I fitted one to my E Type Jaguar, but this time drilled holes and mounted it permanently (Heresy, I know)- I do hope present day purists can forgive me !!    It did look quite appropriate at the time, and if memory serves, it was made by Amco, a popular accessory vendor at the time.    Cheers,   Dale

[SnowWhite]

Thanks for your observations.  Yes, probably an AMCO rack.  Very solid and chrome is still good.