Hi all - in a frame off restoration, is it important to keep the doors on the car in that they provide structural integrity - or can they be taken off? - many thanks!
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Re: 70 LT1 - Frame Off - Doors
The doors do not have to remain on the car, but for a convertible, braces to span the door openings must be fabricated and installed before the body is lifted. Door opening braces are not required for coupes. -
Re: 70 LT1 - Frame Off - Doors
many thanks chuck - forgive my ignorance...am i correct that all coupes were TTop coupes? - thanks, stephenComment
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Re: 70 LT1 - Frame Off - Doors
Yes...the body frame incorporates a center support for the T-tops that ties the front and rear of the body together to prevent bending of the coupe body at the doors.
However...if the long C3 front is left un-supported for a long period of time, the body frame won't help you...you may see sagging of the front end and stress cracking along the peaks of the fenders. The fiberglass apparently does not take a "permanent set", and once the load is supported, everything apparently goes back to its original position...the stress cracks do not go away of course.Comment
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Re: 70 LT1 - Frame Off - Doors
thx chuck!Comment
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Re: 70 LT1 - Frame Off - Doors
Stephen,
I will add to what Chuck has offered, which is good. I'm just completing a body off restoration on my 75 convertible and used a home made jig that I attached to a small utility trailer that I had. It worked great! Certainly better than I had planned. It held the body rigidly (which is a must when working with a convertible) and high enough that it made doing the body work and repairs to it much easier. I was able to transport the body on the trailer to have it bead blasted and when the time came I had it painted while it was still on the trailer. It also made moving the body in and out of the garage easier.
I used 2" x 10" hem/fir boards to build the frame jig for the # 1, 2 and 3 body mounts and to hold the front end. I then used angle iron for the brace to hold the # 4 body mount; I welded this brace to the trailer and bolted the other end to the #4 body mount position. (By the way, the mounts are numbered from 1 to 4 from front to rear on both sides.) I obtained the initial dimensions for my jig from an article that was written by Noland Adams. I built it to according to his plans but had to revise it for my car. I suspect his plans were for a C2 and I had a C3. The differences were minor but did require extra work.
Whatever you do remember to make sure you have adequate support under each body mount, the front end (which I supported by using the radiator support hole on the inner fender area) and under the rear area of the seat pans. To reduce weight when lifting the body I removed the doors. Then I made braces from angle iron that was bolted to the cage using the door hinge bolt holes and the striker hole. It was sturdy and light weight.
I've attached a link to our website for the car. It's not updated but there are some photos that may assist you and give you a better understanding of my descriptions. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Good luck!
Eric
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Re: 70 LT1 - Frame Off - Doors
many thanks eric!Comment
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