we were coached to angle the rack forward like that so that flat items (books and boxes) would be "less likely to slide right off". I know that's rather lame logic, but that was what I was told, so this rack is actually "correct", according to my old LBS authorities. YRMV
I think the black post "works" in this case (so would a silver one, just differently) and I'd really want some padding on the DiaCompe lever bodies, if it were mine, but where to find hoods in that color?