Topic: Frame Research
in Forum: C3 Body
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
Don't know if I posted this in the right place,however what I need is where can I find information on frames. I have to replace mine and I am trying to see what will work. What the differences in frames from year to year.I have ordered a book on frame restoration,but it dose not go into the different frames. This is going tio be my long project and I will not be starting it till I get back to work so for now I am just researching what I need.
Thanks
Rick
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)

Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Best bet would be to stay in the '75-'78 years. That will be the most "bolt-on" ones. Any other year model frame will require some serious mods.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Lemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.
You may want to send an email to vettsteve@aol.com. he does not sell a lot of frames but does have some good used ones. I have been at his place when he was sending some to the mid west. Located in San Diego nice & dry no salty roads.
tb2k82ce said: You may want to send an email to vettsteve@aol.com. he does not sell a lot of frames but does have some good used ones. I have been at his place when he was sending some to the mid west. Located in San Diego nice & dry no salty roads.
He never returned my email on rear view mirrors. Might want to see if he is dead or alive.

Lemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.
I just did that. Thanks for the update. I will PM you and let you know if I get anything back. Do not know why he would not have responded as he has done so every other time.
I did quite a bit of research on trying to find anything that listed frame interchangeability, the closest thing I could find was a description of the changes made to the frames over the years listed in the book "How to Rebuild your Corvette Rolling Chassis 1963-1982" on page 54. In general when the bumpers changed fom chrome to plastic the mounting points on the frames changed as well. But gas tank mounts, cross member, exhaust routing and body mount heights all changed over the years as well so you have to be careful. If you do a Google search on that book the text will come up and you can read it. I also found this link helpful:
http://www.71corvette.com/frames.html
Finally, if you look at the web sites of frame resellers they will group the frames into the years that are interchangeable so that will give you more info. So far the best deal I could find for a 72 frame is a guy who is at Carlisle every year selling refurbished frames, don't have his contact handy but if you are interested I can look for it. Good luck!
PS I did not get a reply form vettsteve either so I'd like to know if he is still out there too.
Mario
What year is your car? Let me know and I will try and answer your frame questions.
Jim T.
in Forum: C3 Body
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)