Body Removal

[Jim H.]

Hi Group
Has anyone removed and reinstalled a '66 Coupe body? I would like to remove mine and do a body off restoration. Am I crazy or what? May be have a corvette shop remove and install the body I can do the frame; suspension; steering; brakes; interior, etc. Engine and transmission just rebuilt. If anyone has had a shop do body removal and reinstall what was the cost, if you don't mind me asking. Thanks in advance.
Ciao,
Jim Hilton

ps - The C2 Restoration book on this site for $65.00 does this show body removal?

[Justin N.]

Re: Body Removal

Jim,
I'm pretty close to where you are with concern to restoration. I have a 67 coupe and have the last attachment holding the body down. I removed mounts up front on core support, one on either side of firewall, one on either side behind plate in rear wheel wells, and one on either side at rear. I now only have the seat cable undercar to frame holding things down, I think? It's not difficult to remove mounts, just how to lift body carefully, safely, and have a dolly ready. I purchased the Noland Adams body lift manual with video from NCRS. It has drawings to help with the dolly build. Here's a shot of the rear-undercarriage of my previous East coast, salted-road, and now West coast muddy field coupe.

Justin #41362

[Rob A.]

Re: Body Removal

Although it won't be "rolling", you can support it with 4 jack stands at the body mount locations under the metal birdcage frame. I did this with my '67 coupe and it worked great. (I don't know if additional support would be needed on a roadster). With the stands fully extended there is plenty of room to work underneath for any work you might want to do.

(If you even think you're crazy now...wait until you actually begin to reassemble it...) If you have a shop do it, be prepared to pay through the nose.

[Dave McDufford]

Re: Body Removal

Many people have and have discussed the process on this and other Corvette forums. Look around the net and you will find the stories.

Dave

[Jim H.]

Re: Body Removal

Justin and Rod thanks for the comments on body removal. Justin, mine looks kind of like your's from the photo.
Jim

[Stephen L.]

Re: Body Removal

Jim, I made a dolly out of lumber with casters for about $35. I have a sketch I can e-mail if interested. I transported the body on this dolly in an enclosed trailer a couple of hundred miles... no problems. It supports at the 4 main mounts and under the core support. The rear mounts can hang on a coupe without a problem. E-mail me for a sketch

[Richard G.]

Re: Body Removal

Jim

I'm working on a body-ff for a 67 Conv. We used the Nolan Adam drawings with one change, we cut the dolly down a foot so we can; One, use the frame underneath the body while doing the body work to get the doors, rear hatch and hood fit the body correctly. The frame is completely apart, but the frame gives the body the Rigidity that it needs during the body work process. Two, the dolly is a bit high to work on the top side of the car, we still have plenty of room underneath to work there. Otherwise keep in mind that its a time consuming process. As for the cost of a shop, I'm sure they'll all be Time and Materials and that depends on what you want them to do. There are many threads on the site that can be of help. The Nolan Adams book does give you a listing of what you need to remove before the body removal. Follow the directions and you'll be surpised with what you can accomplish.

Good Luck

Rich