Hello!

Would like to share with you the roof racks I made for my '86 wagon (named Moonpie).

First I want to tell some back story. Three years ago I was traveling in Portland with some friends, and we visited the Bridge of the Gods. It was a beautiful steel bridge and parked underneath was a butter yellow Volvo station wagon. The owner had made a custom wooden bumper trim for it. It was my dream car! I'd like to say that wishes come true when you wish for them under the Bridge of the Gods (haha) because we decided to drive by a local mechanic and he had a nearly identical one for sale in the lot. it was in much better condition, but sans wooden bumper of course. I bought it and drove it cross-country back home - sleeping in the back the whole way!

About a year later I made this roof rack for it - maybe as an ode to the car that started it all.
I used Sapele wood (a very strong, rot resistant wood), and drum hardware for the gutter clamps.
I sealed the sapele with teak oil. These pics are when they were just installed. Now, a year or so later, the wood is now looking pretty aged but still holding up well.
So far its helped me move apartments, haul 4x8 sheet goods, a tandem kayak and a surfboard (which held up many trips to the beach at 75mph).

Hope you like!

 

As much as I dislike roof racks in general, I must admit these are pretty nice and the craftsmanship looks impressive! But you should plug the holes in the wood to avoid debris and elements entry which would make them deteriorate faster.

 

Holy smokes!!! These are absolutely amazing. When you say drum hardware, what do you mean and where do you buy them? Also curious, how did you measure and cut the downward shape of the four upright posts for the racks? Thanks so much