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I have just completed a frame-off restoration of a 1965 Corvette. This evening I started the restoration of a 1961 270HP. I plan on another frame-off project, but was curious to the views of the NCRS members on this subject.
Your going to a rainbow of answers ranging from the purist to not so purist as to their views on whats good bad and ugly.
To me Ray it's a matter of turning my basket case rust bucket into a rock solid performer that is correct in every respect to the casual eye but not NCRS flight worthy (in my estimation.
I started out with the mind set of patching the rotted frame, replacing what was absolutley needed, repairing the rotted bird cage and then dropping the body back on. WRONG! Sanity kick in and I just couldn't bring myself to produce what would have been a very nice but very cobbed up machine.
But like Iv'e said before, I just can't help but smile now that I look at my new/used body and frame because I know it was the RIGHT thing to do.
My budgets shot, but I now have a straight machine and I can sleep at night knowing it's correct.
So....long story short, I feel it's all in the eyes of the owner what they want to end up with when it's all said and done.
Ray If the frame or the body mounts are real rusty I do a frame off. If it only has minor rust I do a frame on but take off and restore everything the same as a frame off. You can get to all but the top of the frame and I think it is faster. Each restoration must be thought out before jumping in or someone may be buying your half done project for cheap. This is how I buy my projects and I don't need to tear them apart as the owner has done this and till it's back together it goes for half price or less as I may be the only person interesed other than the scrap yard, swap meet people. Know what you want and complete the project. Good Luck Lyle
At our tech sessions with the North Central Chapter, I have participated in a few frame off restorations. If one has the time, patience and money, it is the best way to go. When I bought my '57 ten years ago, the car was fairly clean, with no rust on the frame or suspension. I changed the things that were wrong (there were many) and simply cleaned what I could get at. It still earned a top flight at a Regional NCRS meet. I think it would have been overkill to do a frame off on it. It boils down to what condition the car is in.
Having just completed (nearly) a frame off I would say it's the only way to go unless the frame and all the suspension componenets are in top notch, rust free shape. It's a lot easier to restore parts when you can take them of off and put them back onto, a bare chassis. It takes more time and more space but the results are something else.
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