This section covers MGA boot racks, the luggage carriers fitted to the boot lid that significantly increase the car's load-carrying capacity for touring, weekend trips, or carrying sports equipment. Boot racks are an MGA-specific accessory category designed to address the practical limitation of the car's relatively small boot space.
Factory mounting principle
The factory MGA luggage carrier is fitted to the boot lid with two longitudinal 'skis' that mount to the lid using domed crosshead screws. The two-ski design distributes the load across the boot lid rather than concentrating it at single mounting points, preventing damage to the aluminium-skinned boot lid panel under load. When a boot rack is fitted, rearward visibility through the rear is reduced, for this reason the factory always specified a wing mirror alongside the luggage carrier when both were ordered. Owners fitting a boot rack to a previously rack-less car should consider fitting a wing mirror at the same time for safety in regular road use.
Chrome vs stainless steel finish
Two finish options are available. The chrome-plated boot rack provides a chrome finish matching the MGA's bright trim and bumpers, giving a unified period appearance, the most period-correct appearance for restored cars, but requires regular polishing to maintain finish quality and is vulnerable to corrosion if the chrome is damaged. The stainless steel boot rack provides long-term corrosion resistance without the maintenance requirements of chrome, the stainless finish is visually similar to chrome but does not pit or corrode in damp or salt-spray conditions, making it the better practical choice for cars used regularly in winter or stored in damp conditions. Both finishes use the same factory-pattern mounting (longitudinal skis with domed crosshead screws) and are direct fit to the MGA boot lid.
Loading considerations
The MGA boot lid is aluminium-skinned over a steel X-brace frame, and is not designed to carry significant point loads through its skin. The boot rack's longitudinal skis distribute the load across the X-brace frame, but loading still needs to be reasonable, a boot rack is designed for soft luggage, sports bags, and similar light loads, not for heavy boxes or steel toolboxes that would concentrate load at small contact points. For heavy or large items, the boot space itself remains the better location, with the boot rack reserved for additional capacity or items that won't fit in the boot.
Mounting hardware
Recessed pan-head screws (5/16 UNF x 7/8") are the factory-specification mounting fasteners for the boot rack to the boot lid.
Ordering considerations
Choose the chrome finish for strict factory-original or concours-correct appearance, accepting the polishing maintenance requirement. Choose the stainless finish for long-term corrosion resistance and lower maintenance, particularly for cars used regularly in damp or winter conditions. Both options are direct fit to the MGA's standard boot lid. Consider fitting a wing mirror alongside the boot rack if not already specified, the factory practice of always pairing a luggage carrier with a wing mirror remains good advice for visibility and safety in regular road use.