64 body question

[Adam H.]

Helo all,

I have a 64 roadster and when I bought it I could see the body had been broken across the floor pan and poorly put back together. I've removed the poor repair and I am trying to get the body back in the right place so the door gaps are good and the hard top fits. I know these cars weren't perfict, but the alignment pins at the windshield are off by about an inch on the right side. Ironically, the left side is almost perfect. The only problem I am having is with the sill plate area. There is a metal piece between the frame and the fiberglass of the sill. Does any one know how long that metal piece is supposed to be? The piece I am talking about appears to run from about half way between the fender and the front of the door to the body mount in front of the rear tire. This piece was cut and poorly welded back together, so I plan to weld it correctly, but I am not having any sucess on ligning up the doors and the hard top at the same time to know where I should weld the pieces back together. Any help would be greatly appriciated.

[Joe R.]

Re: 64 body question

Francis,

Yes, you have a problem. The metal piece you are working with runs from the #1 body mount to the #3 body mount. It is one piece and never welded. It needs to be replaced and then you can shim the body so the door gaps are correct. Your hardtop should then fit.

What I would recommend is that you find someone that is willing to let you observe and measure their Corvette. Anything from 63 to 67 will be OK to get you started. Also, purchase the "1964 Corvette Shop Manual Supplement ST34". It gives the frame specifications.

Since your Corvette has probably been hit hard on that side I would be looking at the frame and check for damage on that side.

Please keep us informed as the road you are taking can help some other Corvette owner with their project.

JR

[Wayne W.]

Re: 64 body question

I am not sure if the cage dimensions are published, but you can get a good idea what it should be, by measureing the other side, or a known good one. measure from the fiberglass at the striker on the rear jam, to the front jam and add the width of the fiberglass panel.

The body measurements are published in the assembly manual. The door opening at the bottom should be 34.2 inches. However experience tells us that there are no two alike.

There is another way to arrive at what you need to do though. Mount the door and the hardtop and adjust the cage to match. Eventually thats what has to happen anyway.

[Adam H.]

Re: 64 body question

I can't compare it to the other side because both sides have been cut. I suspect because I've heard it happens a lot the previous owner lifted the body off the frame without correctly supporting it and it folded.

[Wayne W.]

Re: 64 body question

I can't compare it to the other side because both sides have been cut. I suspect because I've heard it happens a lot the previous owner lifted the body off the frame without correctly supporting it and it folded.

I dont understand, it folded. Just lifting a body is not going to fold the rail at the sill.

Measure someone else`s.

[Richard E.]

Re: 64 body question

I once saw a red 64 vert on 55 gal drums fold.The nose folded down as they were one drum short and nothing was under the nose.I think it layed in the yard a year or two before it broke...

[Wayne W.]

Re: 64 body question

I once saw a red 64 vert on 55 gal drums fold.The nose folded down as they were one drum short and nothing was under the nose.I think it layed in the yard a year or two before it broke...

There was more wrong than just sitting on a drum. There was some rot there.

[Wayne W.]

Re: 64 body question

I can't compare it to the other side because both sides have been cut. I suspect because I've heard it happens a lot the previous owner lifted the body off the frame without correctly supporting it and it folded.

OK , I measured one for you today. I dont have a bare cage, so I measured one with the fiberglass installed. Measureing from the rear door jam at the latch (latch removed) to the jam at the front is 38 5/8. Add about 1/8-3/16 inch for the thickness of the two fiberglass panels.

[Adam H.]

Re: 64 body question

Thank you Wayne, at least that gives me a place to start.