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I am a new member of NCRS as well as a first time Corvette owner. I have a 1963 split window coupe that needs a new frame. I am looking for the best repacement frame, and birdcage if available, to begin the restoration. I have contacted some of the aftermarket places but they will not reveal the manufacturer of the unit so I am unclear as to the quality of the steel and the detail of the reproduction. I would greatly appreciate any help.
Randy, If you are looking at bird cage replacement, this can be major body surgery. The door upper jams are part of the body structure and could be major restoration if they are rotted out. Another piece along the bottom inside of the door sill often rots out at the rear body mount. Sometimes this part can be pieced in to provide a structure but not cosmeticly correct. Both these areas can rot out creating a lot of restoration work. Very often another car would be a better option. As for the frame sections that corvette jobbers sell, they are quite good as to fit and finish if one takes his time fixturing, welding and grinding.
Randy, bird cage work requires disassemblying the bodel panels to gain access to the bird cage. Is there a specific spot that needs replacing. You will need to find a donor car for bird cage components. If you are looking for an entire frame, try Cranes corvettes in SanDiego, David usually has rust free frames for a fair price. Also Caledonia Classics is a well known frame rebuilder, try Gary at 888-245-5224 in MI.
Randy, I put a new frame under a 65 coupe in 1997. After checking with Cranes, various local vendors in Michigan I decided to go with a frame section (cowl back) from Vette Products in Clarkston, Mi., basically because I wanted to see before I bought and I could transport my solid front section to the shop. I was told they have the tooling/blueprints from GM and supplied Crane's and Corvette Central with repair sections. The new section was an exact duplicate.
I had two issues with Vette Products-it took 9 months (and a number of "status" calls) and various brackets for parking brakes, seatbelts etc weren't welded on. I ended up doing that with the help of a friend.
Vette Products can be reached at 248-693-9715.
I would suggest calling them, Caladonia and Crane's to see what the latest info is. Make sure they know its for a 63 because all midyear frames are not alike. 63 body mounts have different sized holes/location for example.
I found 2 articles in the Restorer really a lot of help. 1963-1982 Frame Exchange and Repair by Dave Reisner and Bill Grace and 1963-67 Frame Identification by Dave Eberhard. Good luck!
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