Frames, frames, frames

[Jack H.]

I am considering alternatives to a friend's rusty midwestern '72 Vette Frame, i.e. repair, buy used, buy new.

I have seen frames of this vintage at swap meets for reasonable prices, but am always leary of hard to notice damage, i.e. hard points not where they're supposed to be, painted/bondo'd over problems, etc. I have also seen a few vendors for used frames including a couple in CA and MI. Any good recommendations for a used frame source?

Repairing the existing one may be cost prohibitive since, without a frame jig, I would need to do some subcontracting, etc. Additionally, the frame has issues in a few locations, both in the rear and front so multiple repair pieces would be required.

The "New" frames that the major vendors offer are very intriguing to me. Does anyone have any information and/or experience with these frames? How accurate are they? How correct or detectable are they? Who makes them? Etc?

Thanks for any info,

Jack H.

[Joe L.]

Re: Frames, frames, frames

Jack------

I would be leery of a used frame, myself, for exactly the reasons that you described. Corrosion damage can usually be rather easily detected, but all sorts of other problems may "lurk" and not "rear their ugly head" until you get the frame installed and the car on the road. Obviously, a used frame from a California car is the most desirable since it will likely have minimum corrosion damage, structural or cosmetic. However, California cars get driven a lot and, thus, have lots of exposure to accidents and this is especially true for Corvettes.

If I were looking for a frame, and I'm glad that I'm not, I think that I would look carefully at a new frame as manufactured by Vette Products of Michigan in Lake Orion, MI.

[Joe L.]

Re: Frames, frames, frames

Jack------

I would be leery of a used frame, myself, for exactly the reasons that you described. Corrosion damage can usually be rather easily detected, but all sorts of other problems may "lurk" and not "rear their ugly head" until you get the frame installed and the car on the road. Obviously, a used frame from a California car is the most desirable since it will likely have minimum corrosion damage, structural or cosmetic. However, California cars get driven a lot and, thus, have lots of exposure to accidents and this is especially true for Corvettes.

If I were looking for a frame, and I'm glad that I'm not, I think that I would look carefully at a new frame as manufactured by Vette Products of Michigan in Lake Orion, MI.

[Jack H.]

Thanks. Anybody comment on Vette Products Frames?? *NM*

[Jack H.]

Thanks. Anybody comment on Vette Products Frames?? *NM*

[Chris Burbage]

Re: Thanks. Anybody comment on Vette Products Fram

Jack,

I have seen three Vette Product frames at the local resto shop. All were very nice quality although you should expect to refinish them with the finsh/appearance that you are looking for. The paint on them is not up to NCRS standards. Otherwise you would be good to go.

Chris

[Chris Burbage]

Re: Thanks. Anybody comment on Vette Products Fram

Jack,

I have seen three Vette Product frames at the local resto shop. All were very nice quality although you should expect to refinish them with the finsh/appearance that you are looking for. The paint on them is not up to NCRS standards. Otherwise you would be good to go.

Chris