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So the wife got me the 356 and now she bought me a piece of luggage to go on the rack.

Is she trying to get rid of me?!?!?

The box is metal with a lining. Shows signs of wear, nice patina. I will figure out a way to get it mounted to the rack so not to get stolen. Need to look into some straps as well. Good news is my waterproof cover will fit in it. I can only guess it will be impossible to see around it. Still, very cool. I love it.

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When I was in my late teens, a 356 friend of my older brother got back from serving in Alaska in the USAF and decided that he wanted to live in Alaska so he packed up everything he needed into four big duffel bags, strapped them onto the rack on his 356 coupe and headed to Juneau.  It was quite a sight - the bags were two across the rack and two high and looked like he had a small hill strapped on back there.  All you could see in the inside mirror was duffel bags.  

He ended up staying, started a construction company that built thousands of homes around Juneau and the islands and eventually owned the largest asphalt plant in Alaska.  He retired a while ago, still lives up there and still has that 356.

When I was in my late teens, a 356 friend of my older brother got back from serving in Alaska in the USAF and decided that he wanted to live in Alaska so he packed up everything he needed into four big duffel bags, strapped them onto the rack on his 356 coupe and headed to Juneau.  It was quite a sight - the bags were two across the rack and two high and looked like he had a small hill strapped on back there.  All you could see in the inside mirror was duffel bags.  

He ended up staying, started a construction company that built thousands of homes around Juneau and the islands and eventually owned the largest asphalt plant in Alaska.  He retired a while ago, still lives up there and still has that 356.

That is a short story in he making...

Love to hear more..... very cool

Thanks 

The guy's name is Sandy Bicknell, originally from Massachusetts.  His Dad ran a hardware/lumber store in our little town (long gone, now) and like a lot of kids from small-town America, he couldn't wait to get the heck outa here and the Air Force provided that.  

He was first stationed on the Florida panhandle at Tyndal AFB but later ended up transferring to Alaska.  He loved it.  Met his wife up there (I think she became a Veterinarian, plus, she raced sled dogs).  Brought her back to Massachusetts when first discharged from the service and she used to race her 12-dog team around our farm and around a nearby town forest.  In warmer weather she had a drastically cut-down VW roller pan (IIRC it had about a 50" wheelbase) set up with a seat, just rear wheel brakes and a steering wheel, harnessed the dogs up to it, said a couple of commands and they were off like a shot.  

I last saw Sandy a couple of summers back when he was visiting his sister who still lives in the family home in town (it's been in the family since 1712).  He retired about a decade ago, sold the asphalt plant to outsiders and transferred his construction business over to his kids who now also build homes on the islands around Seattle.  He summers in Juneau and winters near MUSBJIM in SoCal.

@Wright Conceptz 

Nice score on that vintage suitcase! I've attached a link to a very cool website for travel stickers for your luggage. Like most on here, I attached the stickers then applied a coat of decoupage/varnish over them to waterproof to some extent. Have fun decorating your case.

https://laughingelephant.com/stickers/travel/

A lot of folks on here got their luggage straps from a fellow SOCer, Dusty Johnson, a leather artisan. Unfortunately he recently  passed away so I don't know who to recommend for you.

As for toting  luggage on your rack causing 'blind spots' on passenger side, here is a simple & inexpensive solution. A suction cup convex mirror attached to the passenger side of your windshield. Can be found at any of your local auto parts store in the towing supply section.IMG_20191123_112143

IMG_20191102_124439

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Todd,

What are the dimensions of the suitcase? We can compare the size of your treasure chest to our own suitcases and give you the dimensions or lengths of the straps we use so you can have some made. Any good leather shop could make them for you. We can also take some detailed photos of the straps, buckles, protectors, and etc.

@Wright Conceptz

The luggage straps I have are repros of original straps used with the Reutter rack I have. In fact, Dusty Johnson used my straps as the model for the straps he subsequently made. Here are some detailed pics I have on file.

Click on pics to enlarge...IMG_20200710_115130 2IMG_20200710_115130IMG_20200710_113108IMG_20200710_113113IMG_20200710_113413IMG_20200710_113424IMG_20200710_115925IMG_0845

A reputable leather shop should be able to use these dimensions in fabricating some straps for you. Hope you find this info helpful! 

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Images (8)
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  • IMG_20200710_115130
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Last edited by MusbJim
@MusbJim posted:

@Wright Conceptz

The luggage straps I have are repros of original straps used with the Reutter rack I have. In fact, Dusty Johnson used my straps as the model for the straps he subsequently made. Here are some detailed pics I have on file.

Click on pics to enlarge...IMG_20200710_115130 2IMG_20200710_115130IMG_20200710_113108IMG_20200710_113113IMG_20200710_113413IMG_20200710_113424IMG_20200710_115925IMG_0845

A reputable leather shop should be able to use these dimensions in fabricating some straps for you. Hope you find this info helpful! 

See, when I said "We" I really meant Jim. Because Jim has all the good details and stats.

@MusbJim posted:

@Wright Conceptz

The luggage straps I have are repros of original straps used with the Reutter rack I have. In fact, Dusty Johnson used my straps as the model for the straps he subsequently made. Here are some detailed pics I have on file.

Click on pics to enlarge...IMG_20200710_115130 2IMG_20200710_115130IMG_20200710_113108IMG_20200710_113113IMG_20200710_113413IMG_20200710_113424IMG_20200710_115925IMG_0845

A reputable leather shop should be able to use these dimensions in fabricating some straps for you. Hope you find this info helpful! 

DItto, filed this away if I ever get a rack on the back.  

@MusbJim posted:

@Wright Conceptz 

Nice score on that vintage suitcase! I've attached a link to a very cool website for travel stickers for your luggage. Like most on here, I attached the stickers then applied a coat of decoupage/varnish over them to waterproof to some extent. Have fun decorating your case.

https://laughingelephant.com/stickers/travel/

A lot of folks on here got their luggage straps from a fellow SOCer, Dusty Johnson, a leather artisan. Unfortunately he recently  passed away so I don't know who to recommend for you.

As for toting  luggage on your rack causing 'blind spots' on passenger side, here is a simple & inexpensive solution. A suction cup convex mirror attached to the passenger side of your windshield. Can be found at any of your local auto parts store in the towing supply section.IMG_20191123_112143

IMG_20191102_124439

Why didnt I see this post earlier....

I will be getting a set as well.

 

Thanks !!!!

@Robert M posted:

Todd,

What are the dimensions of the suitcase? We can compare the size of your treasure chest to our own suitcases and give you the dimensions or lengths of the straps we use so you can have some made. Any good leather shop could make them for you. We can also take some detailed photos of the straps, buckles, protectors, and etc.

I didnt see this message either... sorry

7-1/4"×14"×24"

Thank you 

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