Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: RAY on January 29, 2016, 09:03:53

Title: Roof rack
Post by: RAY on January 29, 2016, 09:03:53

Back in august 2008 in the body, interiors section there was a post made about making reproduction roof racks. A guy called mark passarelli from ranchomerced said that he had plans to do just that and looking at his impressive website would have been more than capable. There was quite a bit of interest front group members and I just wondered if anything ever came of it ?

Title: Re: Roof rack
Post by: CCollum on April 17, 2018, 15:41:27

Did you learn anything? Bump to the top.

Title: Re: Roof rack
Post by: neelyrc on April 17, 2018, 19:46:08

Why not contact Rancho Merced through their web site and ask. ———  ranchomerced.com

Title: Re: Roof rack
Post by: Benz Dr. on April 17, 2018, 22:02:15

Last I heard Mark moved to Hawaii.

Title: Re: Roof rack
Post by: CCollum on April 17, 2018, 22:05:57

I understand he's moved to Salida, CO. Although I don't know him, I'm planning to swing through this summer since he's redoing a friend's 230SL right now. Will ask him then, but was wondering if any update was already known.

Title: Re: Roof rack
Post by: doitwright on April 18, 2018, 14:25:45

My $.02 on the original roof rack. Looking at the photo in the Technical Manual under accessories it looks like an attractive piece of hardware. However, I would be reluctant to employ it for practical purposes. 1st off, it requires that your roof have the 2 chrome decorative trims which are not standard on all cars. Now you have to consider the point loads applied to the chrome trims and roof from whatever you plan to strap down to the rack. These point loads become both vertical and lateral when wind resistance becomes a factor. I feel that a more practical design for the purpose of carrying a load would be a rack supported by the roofs rain gutters. Much like you would find on roof racks made for commercial vans. Again, just my $.02.