It should be noted that luggage racks are functional accessories, especially on convertibles, where trunk space is usually limited. However, in the Great Brougham Epoch, where any chrome addition was welcomed with opened arms, luggage racks became highly ornamental items. Apparently, that isn’t so for this Beacon Hill Bimmer owner.
Unlike the very integrated, almost spoiler-like luggage racks of yore, form follows function in this removable example. Who knows what the owner actually uses it for, but it must be somewhat important. Any guesses? Del Griffith’s trunk maybe?
Now, now, now. You can’t be sure it’s Lee Iaccoca’s BMW until you see the nose of the car
https://ixquick-proxy.com/do/spg/show_picture.pl?l=english&rais=1&oiu=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FnUhCQXUdiAw%2Fmqdefault.jpg&sp=ed497a04918d7046dd14b81361341f63
I don’t see any De Noc wood paneling…
No fake wire wheels or crystal hood ornaments either.
Looks like a Bunkie Beak™ to me!
I like how the first three digits of the license plate corresponds with the model number. It looks like a standard issue Massachusetts plate – or could it be a vanity plate?
I noticed that too. I’m not 100% sure on the rules and restrictions (i.e. character placement, alpha-numeric ratio) of special request plate numbers here in MA. I do know that getting one’s more of a process than in other states though. That’s why I feel most Mass. residents just get one of the alternative designs to choose from. My mom has the Red Sox one.
When I still lived in MA, I went about getting back the low digit reserve plate that was given up when my great-grandmother passed in 1999. This was in 2005, and it turned out it was still available! So one fresh set of plates and I believe a 30+ dollar premium over the normal plates and I had it back.
Actually, during the “Brougham era”, while nearly every car had a trunk-mounted rack, almost none of them were chrome like this one.
I also agree with others here that an Iaccoca-mobile would have a hood ornament that stands up (BMWs have a flush hood ornament), wire wheel covers, and an abundance of chrome.
That brings up a question though–was there ever a Broughamy BMW? I feel like I’ve seen vinyl roofs on a couple of E3 sedans, though they could have been aftermarket items. I’m quite certain the wire wheel covers that I’ve seen on a couple of E30 (and at least one E36) have been of the Pep Boys variety.
One could say the L6/L7 had a little bit of brougham in their DNA with their highly opulent interiors, but at the end of the day, they’re just more nicely trimmed versions of the excellent E23 and E24 base cars. (Plus, in the case of the L6, wearing the M6’s air dam.)
I once saw a circa 2000 3-series that had a home made roof rack that spanned the entire length of the car and I see various BMWs with elaborate roof racks of various types.
A removable trunk rack seems like a very practical solution to the lack of storage in the boot. Although I just usually stash the extra luggage in the back seat. That’s why I like four seaters. When I worked at a Grand Auto store in the 70s, we still sold some removable trunk racks that had suction cups on the base along with tie downs. We used to sell just the suction cups if you wanted to build your own roof rack. I looked for some of those big suction cups earlier this year and couldn’t find them anywhere. Why be so hard on Lido? He brought about the Mustang and the Lincoln Marks. He also saved Chrysler. And we have a lot of Brougham lovers on this site.