Mid Year Frame (67)

[Justin B.]

I have a 46 yeqar old friend who lost his mom within the last six months to pancreatic cancer. She told him that she would buy him a Corvette of his choice when he turned 16. She was high-up on the ladder at a furniture manufacturer and lost her job months before his 16th birthday. Long story short, she told his dad on her deathbed to buy him (my friend) the Corvette that he wanted with part of her life insurance policy. Once his dad figured out what type of car he wanted (67 Vette), he (dad) went out and found what he thought was a nice car. Dad secretly bought and brought the car home and told his son (my friend) that it was his mothers dying wish to give him the Corvette that she had promised him many decades before.
he decide to pull the body off of the frame for a full restoration last week. The frame turned out to be fairly crusty and needs to be replaced. I know that the 1963-1982 frames are similar but not exactly the same. So, we are on the hunt for a 67' frame. Can anyone help? Thanks

[Kurt K.]

Re: Mid Year Frame (67)

Try Vette Products of Michigan http://www.vetteproducts.net, for new ones. ebay has some from time to time too. Happy hunting.

[Paul J.]

Re: Mid Year Frame (67)

Try Vette Products in Michigan. I believe that they have the original jigs. Post #2 below.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?95694-65-corvette-frame&highlight=frame

Be sure to cut out the stamped number on the frame and weld it into the new frame.

Paul

[Michael G.]

Re: Mid Year Frame (67)

Be sure to cut out the stamped number on the frame and weld it into the new frame.

Paul

What's the point Paul, still in the end it will be a reproduction frame. Going to a great deal of labor to accomplish nothing.

[William B.]

Re: Mid Year Frame (67)

Ordered a Vette Products '67 frame In January and waited 10 weeks but it was beautiful. $5250.00 painted.

[Joe L.]

Re: Mid Year Frame (67)

I have a 46 yeqar old friend who lost his mom within the last six months to pancreatic cancer. She told him that she would buy him a Corvette of his choice when he turned 16. She was high-up on the ladder at a furniture manufacturer and lost her job months before his 16th birthday. Long story short, she told his dad on her deathbed to buy him (my friend) the Corvette that he wanted with part of her life insurance policy. Once his dad figured out what type of car he wanted (67 Vette), he (dad) went out and found what he thought was a nice car. Dad secretly bought and brought the car home and told his son (my friend) that it was his mothers dying wish to give him the Corvette that she had promised him many decades before.
he decide to pull the body off of the frame for a full restoration last week. The frame turned out to be fairly crusty and needs to be replaced. I know that the 1963-1982 frames are similar but not exactly the same. So, we are on the hunt for a 67' frame. Can anyone help? Thanks

Justin------


In my opinion, the NEW Vette Products frame is the only way to go. Any USED frame can have all sorts of difficult-to-detect problems. Folks might think that a used frame is fine because it doesn't suffer from corrosion. How does one know, though, if the frame has ever been collision-bent and "straightened", especially if the frame is "all cleaned up and painted"? Be thankful that NEW frames are available.

[Douglas P.]

Re: Mid Year Frame (67)

I have a 46 yeqar old friend who lost his mom within the last six months to pancreatic cancer. She told him that she would buy him a Corvette of his choice when he turned 16. She was high-up on the ladder at a furniture manufacturer and lost her job months before his 16th birthday. Long story short, she told his dad on her deathbed to buy him (my friend) the Corvette that he wanted with part of her life insurance policy. Once his dad figured out what type of car he wanted (67 Vette), he (dad) went out and found what he thought was a nice car. Dad secretly bought and brought the car home and told his son (my friend) that it was his mothers dying wish to give him the Corvette that she had promised him many decades before.
he decide to pull the body off of the frame for a full restoration last week. The frame turned out to be fairly crusty and needs to be replaced. I know that the 1963-1982 frames are similar but not exactly the same. So, we are on the hunt for a 67' frame. Can anyone help? Thanks

Justin,

I believe that the question of what to do with a deteriorated frame is one of the most difficult delimmas one faces during a frame off restoration. The frame is a signifcant part of the vehicle (for many reasons) and the decision sets the foundation for the rest of the rebuild/restoration--this is not a decision that you want to make without exploring all options.

I suggest that before jumping to conclusions as to the condition of the existing frame, that your friend have someone who is familiar with Corvette frames take a look at it in detail. It is quite possible that it may not be as bad as you suspect. "Fairly crusty" might be a long way from rotted out and useful for nothing but scrap.

As others have mentioned, complete replacement with a newly manufactured frame is one option.

What I have not seen mentioned yet in replies to your post is that reparing/restoring an original frame is a very viable option. Repair allows your friend to retain some part, potentially most, of his orignal frame. I do not suggest that reparing a frame is a simple matter, or can be done by anyone who is just experienced with car frame repair. To repair a Corvette frame correctly it takes the know-how and specialized equipment, specifically a frame jig. The use of the jig ensures that the frame is true and meets factory specs once rebuilt. Without this sort of percision, the results are unknown until everthing is reassembled--not the time you want to find out things don't fit properly.

Check out Impact Restorations at URL: http://www.impactrestorations.com/ca...me-restoration for one shop that has the capability and know-how to save an original frame.

Doug

[Paul J.]

Re: Mid Year Frame (67)

What's the point Paul, still in the end it will be a reproduction frame. Going to a great deal of labor to accomplish nothing.

The Vette Products frame is suposedly correct, and you're paying a lot for that. Since you belong to NCRS, I'm surprised that you don't see the point, but I restore my cars to be as correct as possible. That means taking those extra steps to make it like was when it left the factory (at least for those cars that warrant it).

As far as a lot of labor, I can do this job in less than 15 minutes and I think it's a lot of fun, but opinions differ, I suppose.

[Michael G.]

Re: Mid Year Frame (67)

The Vette Products frame is suposedly correct, and you're paying a lot for that. Since you belong to NCRS, I'm surprised that you don't see the point, but I restore my cars to be as correct as possible. That means taking those extra steps to make it like was when it left the factory (at least for those cars that warrant it).

As far as a lot of labor, I can do this job in less than 15 minutes and I think it's a lot of fun, but opinions differ, I suppose.

I do see the point Paul, you've taken a reproduction frame and attached an original VIN to it. No harm....no foul? Maybe nothing is implied however unless explained a statement is made. In the end it still is a reproduction frame. Don't take me wrong, I believe they're a great alternative to patching up an original and guessing how much integrity is left of the old girl after 40+ years. Opinions do differ nonetheless cutting a hole in a perfectly (good )new frame appears to be counter productive. Be careful of the message. That's all I meant....still love ya.

[Henry A.]

Re: Mid Year Frame (67)

I agree with Doug...you must check out Impact Restorations. Ask for Roger 616-954-9200 They can restore your frame. They built a frame for my 63 coupe...it is perfect. My car is the one on their website and on the video. The body fit perfectly and it rides and drives great! I am very satisfied with my frame. The turn around on the frame is exceptional. They also have the capabilty to ship your frame anywhere in the US.

http://www.impactrestorations.com/ca...te-restoration This is the video of my 63 with the Impact reftored frame.

Henry

[Mike E.]

Re: Mid Year Frame (67)

I do see the point Paul, you've taken a reproduction frame and attached an original VIN to it. No harm....no foul? Maybe nothing is implied however unless explained a statement is made. In the end it still is a reproduction frame. Don't take me wrong, I believe they're a great alternative to patching up an original and guessing how much integrity is left of the old girl after 40+ years. Opinions do differ nonetheless cutting a hole in a perfectly (good )new frame appears to be counter productive. Be careful of the message. That's all I meant....still love ya.

+1

I just completed the restoration of my '65 frame, attached are a few images from begin to end.


Bare frame prior to media blasting.


After performing various repairs and media blasting.


Primed in epoxy primer.


After Paint Rear View.



After Paint Front View




Notice imperfections or sloppy welds in the photo below that give an original frame "personality". I'm not sure how these old frames were built however my guess would be the frames were arc welded using welding rod. In this example there are spots were you can see
the welder would drag the rod from top kick up weld to the parking brake cable bracket. Most repo frames will be welded with a wire machine so you won't see this. Also notice the weld splatter all over the place, I bet you don't see that on a repo frame.




Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: Mid Year Frame (67)

All-----


Of course, the decision to restore or replace depends upon the condition of the frame. If there is only surface rust, of course all that needs to be done is rust removal and painting. If there is perforating corrosion in just one or two areas and the remainder of the fame can be confirmed to be sound, then repair and restoration is the way to go.

However, there are many frames that I do not think it's worth it to repair and restore. If there is extensive perforating corrosion, I don't think it's wise to try to repair. In this case, most likely the rest of the frame is highly compromised. Also, if there is extensive pitting over most of the frame, this is another problem I wouldn't plan on using the frame.

MANY frames from east coast states where the roads are salted fall into the category of "terminal". I've seen lots of frames for sale at Bloomington, Carlisle, etc. that I would not even consider repairing.

The fact of the matter is that some things just wear out.

[Roger G.]

Re: Mid Year Frame (67)

Thank you Henry & Doug. Our shop has the correct jig for C2 and C3 frames. We would love to help you restore your original frame if that is possible. Our turn around time 4-5 weeks including two trips to the blaster. Remember a reproduction frame might be new but they are not correct for your car. We have several options in restoring rusted frames. Please call me if you would like more info. Impact Restorations by Roger Gress.

Roger

[Mike E.]

Re: Mid Year Frame (67)

All-----


Of course, the decision to restore or replace depends upon the condition of the frame. If there is only surface rust, of course all that needs to be done is rust removal and painting. If there is perforating corrosion in just one or two areas and the remainder of the fame can be confirmed to be sound, then repair and restoration is the way to go.

However, there are many frames that I do not think it's worth it to repair and restore. If there is extensive perforating corrosion, I don't think it's wise to try to repair. In this case, most likely the rest of the frame is highly compromised. Also, if there is extensive pitting over most of the frame, this is another problem I wouldn't plan on using the frame.

MANY frames from east coast states where the roads are salted fall into the category of "terminal". I've seen lots of frames for sale at Bloomington, Carlisle, etc. that I would not even consider repairing.

The fact of the matter is that some things just wear out.

Point well taken Joe, I've been kind of bummed out with the quality of repo parts that are being sold as "Correct" and I'm just getting started on my car. I've totally changed my additude towards parts. If I can save the old ones I'm going to do my best, unless safety is an issue. I was really lucky on my frame. The previous owner treated a lot of the frame with undercoating which probably saved it. Notice how bad the lower #1 crossmember was banged up, that was the first thing I fixed.

Thank you Henry & Doug. Our shop has the correct jig for C2 and C3 frames. We would love to help you restore your original frame if that is possible. Our turn around time 4-5 weeks including two trips to the blaster. Remember a reproduction frame might be new but they are not correct for your car. We have several options in restoring rusted frames. Please call me if you would like more info. Impact Restorations by Roger Gress.

Roger

Roger,
I talked to you or one of your employees at Bloomington this summer and I have to say I'm too am impressed with your work. I'm just too cheap...Plus I just enjoy doing the work myself. I do computer programming on my day job so getting my hands dirty is a nice release.. I actually used your technique in the video to repair the #1 crossmember on my frame. So thank you!



Mike