C1, 1954 new project

[Tim Domes]

I just bought a 1954 corvette ,body and title only

This car looks to be an extreme basket case.

The floor pan is cracked and by the time I got it home
it looks like it has completly broken in half.

I am wondering if it would be best to completely
remove all the body panels ,restore each one by one
and then reassemble the car.

To restore the floor pan I would like to build a
body cradle, are there any drawings to build one?

I have a print of the frame measurements I guess I could use
that to build something?

Thanks

[Roy B.]

Re: C1, 1954 new project

My way of restoring a body is to remove every piece , body also from the frame , soda blast, chemical strip or what ever you decide all parts INSIDE and OUT , remove any body pre-damage repairs. Now I have clean body and fiberglass parts to start with. If the main body under area is OK I cover the frame with clear plastic and reinstall the body to the frame. Then do any repair to the body and parts that is needed , then reinstall all parts, doors, lid hood, trunk to check and finish body FIT which can only be done with the body tightened down to the frame. I also install all out side bumpers,headlight doors and so on for fit before I have them chromed or polished.
When all that meets my satisfaction , I then remove the body and all body parts again and have each part painted separate, install all other parts needed like having the doors complete and so on and then install the body to the frame then all parts on the body done.
Now finish installing all other parts needed=DONE
Yes the frame and engine are done and complete before I put the painted body on!!

[Dennis A.]

Re: C1, 1954 new project

Tim...

Best looking frame I have seen is from Nuair. John Hinckley posted this one from the Michigan Chapter...Noland has prints for one you can build, if you do, make sure you support the front-end.

[John H.]

Re: C1, 1954 new project

Here's the NuAir extruded aluminum body dolly; contact is Tom Komendera, (248) 669-6560.

[Joe R.]

Re: C1, 1954 new project

Tim, I'm in the middle of a 54 resto (#3598), so if you need any pictures or measurements, let me know.

Joe W Ryan #24865