Transporting a C2 body

[Gary Wilkerson]

I'm trying to work ou the logistics of a boggy off on a 66 roadster. Afried of mine has a wooden body dolly built from the plans referenced here.
My concern is I'm going to pull the body at my home, my painter is 60 miles away.
I have resevation the wooden dolly is adequate to transport the body on a trailer, ecspecially after it's been repaired.
ShouldI build a more rigid metal dolly or do you normally try to pull the body where its going to be repaired?

Gary

[Mark J.]

Re: Transporting a C2 body

Gary,

I am at the same point in the restoration process and I have similar concerns. My solution will be to Saranwrap the frame, Visqueen the motor and drop the body back on the frame for transport. This not only solves the stability issue, but also reduces the chances of scratching the paint later on.

Mark

[Joe R.]

Re: Transporting a C2 body

Guys,

First of all I don't recommend repair of the body after it has been removed from the frame unless there is damage to the frame. In the perfect world, the body should be repaired on the frame and then removed for paint, trim work etc.

If you are going to transport the body it should be done on the frame and then repaired and removed at the body shop.

You can then take the rolling frame and do the restoration of the rolling chassis and return it to the body shop for replacement of the body.

Like I said, that's in a perfect world with a great deal of coordination. That's what it takes to have a great restoration anyway.

If you have to transport the body off the frame I would recommend support for the front and rear of the body at the radiator support and the rear body mounts. That should be adequate IF you don't hit a lot of potholes in the road.

Hope this helps,

Regards,

JR

[Mark J.]

Re: Transporting a C2 body

I recently bought a set of wheel dollies at Harbor Freight, which were on sale for about $30 a pair. I plan to put the car on dollies at the body shop so they can maneuver it without a steering wheel. I know there's a risk of losing the dollies, but I believe the tradeoff of mobility without a steering wheel is worth it.

Mark

[Mike M.]

Re: Transporting a C2 body

I moved mine about 30 mi on the dolly. So thats 60 total there and back. I did as Joe said, made sure the rad support was in and front was supported very well. I have a coupe, a rag top would require better support. I didn't support the rear. Straped the body to the dolly and then the dolly to the trailer. Took a nice slow trip to the painter and back. Mike

[Gary Wilkerson]

Re: Transporting a C2 body

Thank Guys for reponding,

JR are you saying if the frame does not need repair, tranport the body on the frame and remove at the bodyshop. Then when supported at the bodyshop, take the frame home and detail?
I have this option and thought it best for support reasons.

Gary

[Joe R.]

Re: Transporting a C2 body

Gary,

I believe that the way your speaking of is exactly the most secure way of transporting and assuring you will have a body and paint free of stress cracks.
It will also give you peace of mind during the transport.

Look forward to seeing your restoration at a show in the near future.

Regards,

JR

[Stephen L.]

Re: Transporting a C2 body

Gary, I transported my COUPE body on a wood frame made of 2x6's and wheels to from a body shop 100 miles away TWICE without incident. I'm about to do it a 3rd time as the body was painted in pieces and the match is slightly off under flourecent lites and so I need to do it again...thats another story!

The body transported fine. It was in an enclosed trailer with the body strapped to the dolly and the dolly tied to the trailer. It was supported at the 4 main corners of the cage and under the radiator support. No support on the rear 2 points. This body was off the frame for over 2 years and dropped back on like a glove.
If you plan on removing the body for a frame off resto you better have a place that'll allow storage for an extended time. Doing the work myself I spent a year on the frame and chassis. It just takes alot of time to do it right...waiting for things to dry and getting things cleaned and plated for reassembly.

I have photos of the whole process if your interested including the body dolly.
Just e-mail me.