C2 frames

[Wayne K.]

Are there visual differences between C2 frames that one can tell if it is from a 63,64,65,66,or 67 ?

[Donald T.]

Re: C2 frames

65-67 have a hole on the bottom of the frame rails just in front of the rear tire. This is for mounting side mount exhaust. 63 and 64 do not have the holes, unless they were subsequently drilled out.

[John H.]

Re: C2 frames

'65-up frames have a sizable clearance depression in the front crossmember for the BB harmonic damper, and they have depressions stamped into the outboard side of the rear frame rails for caliper clearance under full suspension compression. '67-up frames also have a welded bracket for the parking brake cable pulley. The body mount brackets on '63 frames are higher off the frame than '64-up, as 63's didn't use body mount cushions. There are many other smaller details.

[Mike Cobine]

Re: C2 frames

For starters,

'63 Emergency brake lever tab inside left rail, rail straight over rear trailing arm, TA rubber stop slightly outside frame, front crossmember under harmonic balancer is square, body mount brackets are higher

'64 Emergency brake mount in different location, rail straight over rear trailing arm, TA rubber stop slightly outside frame, front crossmember under harmonic balancer is square

'65 rail indented for caliper over rear trailing arm, TA rubber stop even with frame, front crossmember under harmonic balancer is indented, gussets in corners of side and crossmember under seats

'66 rail indented for caliper over rear trailing arm, TA rubber stop even with frame, front crossmember under harmonic balancer is indented, gussets in corners of side and crossmember under seats

'67 Emergency brake cable tab slightly off center on center crossmember to reach console handbrake, rail indented for caliper over rear trailing arm, TA rubber stop even with frame, front crossmember under harmonic balancer is indented, gussets in corners of side and crossmember under seats

So, yes, if someone looks and knows their chassis, they will know it is not the right year. If it for function rather than judging, then most will interchange at least going backwards, with little modification if any.

[Wayne K.]

Thanks to all who responded, info very helpful. *NM*

[Jack J.]

Re: C2 frames

Mike, my 64 coupe's frame has the 65's gussets. Vin #40837s116913(May 1,1964 build date.
Jack Jagello

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: C2 frames

-------And as you may find out in the archives, early 65 frames are sort of a crap-shoot as there were a couple of running changes.
-------One was the holes in the frame for sidepipes as the pipes werent available until later in the model year. When the running changes were being implemented the frame manufacturer used up available inventory of the non slotted siderails so there was the possibility of one side having the slot and the other not.
-------Another was the front crossmember. Early was as 64 and later had the clearance dip for big-block balancer.
-------There are also 65 frames out there that appear as 64 frames because the original car they were under was a disc-brake delete car from the factory.
-------Does anyone have or has anyone seen a disc-brake delete car with factory sidepipe slots in the side-rails. I havent, but wonder if there are any out there. Hope this drivel helps!..............Bill S

[Mike Cobine]

Re: C2 frames

-------Does anyone have or has anyone seen a disc-brake delete car with factory sidepipe slots in the side-rails. I havent, but wonder if there are any out there. Hope this drivel helps!..............Bill S


You probably won't, since the disc brake delete was only intended to use up the remaining drum brake supplies, and that probably happened fairly early.