1957 Frame off restoration in process

[Frank C.]

I'm finally restoring the '57 fuelie that I bought in 1973 so it is mostly original. I am willing to answer any questions that the total disassembly facilitates. It is VIN 4906, built between June 20th and July 1st, 1957. Heater, engine, 4 speed, two tops, radio are the only options. Arctic blue paint original. I've gotten a great deal of information from this forum and I hope to share some. Frank

[Leif A.]

Re: 1957 Frame off restoration in process

OK Frank, first off I see this is your first post and you've been a member since 1977, so looking forward to you keeping us posted on this restoration. Secondly, and I'll admit I'm a bit slow sometimes, but your profile says your 27 years old and the picture you posted certainly looks like a 27 year old bending over the radiator support...but, if you acquired your '57 is 1973 that was 44 years ago...17 years before you were born. What am I missing here. Still, very interested in your project.

[Frank C.]

Re: 1957 Frame off restoration in process

Hello Leif. I don't know where the age 27 came from. I was 33 when I bought the car. Add 50. My grandson helping me start the tear down is in the picture. The stripped body is shipped off to Collision King, Jerry Dodson, in Victoria Texas. I sent a stripped body like what would have gone to the paint shop in 1957 at St. Louis, except I left the hardware in the doors because both rear glass channels are torn from their attaching points at the back face of the doors. Jerry says he may be able to fix them.

[James G.]

Re: 1957 Frame off restoration in process

I'm finally restoring the '57 fuelie that I bought in 1973 so it is mostly original. I am willing to answer any questions that the total disassembly facilitates. It is VIN 4906, built between June 20th and July 1st, 1957. Heater, engine, 4 speed, two tops, radio are the only options. Arctic blue paint original. I've gotten a great deal of information from this forum and I hope to share some. Frank

57's are one of my favorite cars. I have owned 9 of them over the years. One car close to yours is 57 vin#4916, engine F503EL, Restored by Nabers in 1998. 2 top, power soft, Multiple show BG in 2001, DUNTOV, One owner NY Doctor until 1998. Painted Cascade green. Original was Aztec copper.

I also have data on vin #4931 and 4932. All cars are fuel injected. I am curious about engine numbers and injection numbers. They used four different FI units in 57 production. You and I are not that far from each other. I will be at San Antonio Convention Tuesday 7-11 thru Thursday 7-13.

[John R.]

Re: 1957 Frame off restoration in process

Did anyone notice Frank said his GRANDSON was helping. Awesome that a young man is interested in the restoration. Love the picture/paint on the 57. Good luck on it. One of these days I will finish VIN 6204.

[Frank C.]

Re: 1957 Frame off restoration in process

1st problem: Inboard seat belt reinforcements. Mine are missing from my body. I found in Archives a thread that talks about them being cadmium plated. From the AIM there appears to be two separate ones inside on the rear of the tunnel, and one under the floorpan as a prop shaft guard. The inside ones are riveted to the tunnel but the AIM doesn't show how the prop shaft guard is attached. Is this a sandwich? btw, I can't find the Archives thread anymore or I would have posted this there. I'm new to this. Frank

[Art B.]

Re: 1957 Frame off restoration in process

Welcome, Frank.
My '57 is also close to yours (4922). It was purchased by the original owner in Florida and he ordered it heater delete. I kind of miss a heater up here in the northland. It was originally Venetian Red but painted Black and Silver at a later date.

[Rod K.]

Re: 1957 Frame off restoration in process

Check Sect 4, Sht 2.00 of your AIM, bottom view. Guard is riveted to inside of tunnel, no relation to seat belt reinforcements.

[James G.]

Re: 1957 Frame off restoration in process

I think 57 seat belts were ''dealer'' installed. 1958 was the first factory install, and they were all frost blue in color.

[Mark B.]

Re: 1957 Frame off restoration in process

You would still have out board seat belt reinforcement brackets whether or not you had seat belts, but I'm not sure either if the inboard ones would be there if you car didn't come with seat belts..I'll have to check my car too now

[Frank C.]

Re: 1957 Frame off restoration in process

Thanks, Rod. I just wasn't looking carefully enough. Frank

[Frank C.]

Re: 1957 Frame off restoration in process

You would still have out board seat belt reinforcement brackets whether or not you had seat belts, but I'm not sure either if the inboard ones would be there if you car didn't come with seat belts..I'll have to check my car too now

Thank you Mark. I'd appreciate it if you would look at yours. The reason I posted this in the first place is that the AIM, sec A, Sheet 2 (redrawn and revised 7/11/1957) shows these reinforcements inside the car at the inboard rear corners of the seats. They are shown attached with five rivets. Mine are missing and appear to be torn out. I have rivet holes and other damage.
Looking at restored '57s on line I have seen similar looking reinforcements under the body. The AIM disagrees with this. But from a sense point of view, it seems they would be structurally sounder if they were under the body. A look-a-see from you would be worth a thousand speculations on my part. Frank

[Rod K.]

Re: 1957 Frame off restoration in process

The inboard reinforcements were, as you correctly reasoned, installed UNDER the body and, I assume since they were called out in the AIM pages as regular production (like the outer brackets and their reinforcements) and not options, would have been installed on ALL cars. Note the tape called out over the bolt hole to seal it if no belts were installed (by the dealer, presumably).

[Dan D.]

Re: 1957 Frame off restoration in process

I believe all 57s had the inboard reinforcements installed on all cars. Also, I believe early cars would use a bolt to fasten the belt to. Hench the tape you refer to. At some date this was changed to a pressed in 3/8-16 stud, most likely to eliminate the use of tape. These reinforcements are available aftermarket and the ones I bought from CC a few years ago fit with no problems. They came with the stud. My 57 did not have seat belts but the reinforcements were installed. One was missing - rivets rotted out presumably. The other one was there but badly rusted. It did not have a stud (#4122 - late May 57 build). I can't believe 5 small 1/8" rivets into the fiberglass tunnel would hold much, given a serious accident. Times have changed - in this case for the better.

-Dan-

[Tom S.]

Re: 1957 Frame off restoration in process

Frank,
i notice the side cove emblems appear to to be original perhaps reinstalled after that lace paint job. Your car reminds me of "the Lizard" that was at Carroll St Auto awhile back. Can you tell if the mounting holes are 1/8" Are they the same on your trunk lid also. Is your eyebrow shaved off?
Curious to know what your final plan plan is as you progress towards the finish line. Some very knowledgeable people on this site and all you have to do is reach out.