When I bought my HHR, my intent was to make it look like a true "surfing" woodie so I didn't get the factory installed racks so I could put some "old" style racks on the roof.
I've now discovered that due to the doors, no one (thule/yakama) has been able to figure out how to put a roof/surf rack on the car if the factory racks are not installed.
I'm now looking at drilling holes in the roof and mounting racks that way.
Has anyone figuered out a better way to do it then this?

 

Be very careful. I remember someone posting here that unless the rails were installed at the factory, the roof is not reinforced.

 

If all they're carrying is a surf board, is reinforcement an issue?

I use foam blocks to set my kayak on and only use the factory racks to strap it down. Thule and Yakima don't have good solutions for the missing rails yet either. Maybe as we head into year three of production, they'll start producing products for the HHR!

 

There are Kayak, bicycles, ski rack, and Yes surf bd racks, all made for the HHR. Now that I have said that I need to find them again.

 

I've used the temp type of racks (foam blocks/straps over the roof and through the door but I'm hunting for something more permanent. Hope you can find the info that you had before; would really be helpful.

 

Lonsumd, if you intend to haul the kayak over long distances, chose a rack that places the kayak as close to the roof as possible. Also, it must have the option to set the kayak on the rack upside down. That greatly reduces wind resistance.

I've traveled over 500 miles each way with 2 kayaks on top of my minivan. With them sitting upright, the wind noise and banging was unbelievable. With them turned upside down, it was a much smoother and quieter ride. On that trip, we were traveling in the outer edges of a tropical storm. Cross winds were definitely felt but there was little or no banging.

I haven't traveled with my kayak atop the HHR further than about 5 miles. But, I feel much more confident with it on the blocks than higher up on one of those after market racks.

 

I carried a "sit on top" kayak on top with just straps and small foam blocks under the kayaks about 40 miles round trip. I carried them upside down like you did. They rode ok; did get some noise but it was more fm the straps then the kayak. I get this same noise when I carry my surfboards on top with the straps and foam blocks. aloha