C1 frame has welded plates on the bottom

[Ian G.]

I just got done blow torching/scraping some Bondo off the bottom of my '59 frame where it looked built up and kinda wrong. Steel plate is welded to the bottom on the passenger side under the frame from the end of the center X-member to just beyond where it starts bending up over the rear axle. It's not even with the steel though; It's welded right over the existing frame steel. I guess there must have been some rust-through there.

I checked on http://www.vetteproducts.net and they don't seem to have that section for sale. The repair is really obvious, so I know it will kill me in judging. I contacted the previous-previous owner and he said it was like that when he bought it in the 80's and he drove it like that for years, so I'm assuming it is structurally sound.

What are my options to repair it? I'm feeling a little discouraged .... How many points does a car typically lose for amateurish looking repairs? Any ideas GREATLY appreciated.

[Sander B.]

Re: C1 frame has welded plates on the bottom

i would fix it.
my frame also had bad repairs at the same locations
i made these pieces myself, but if i am right CC sells frame sections
and maybe other vendors too

Sander,

[Ian G.]

Re: C1 frame has welded plates on the bottom

That looks like nice workmanship Sander

The pieces that CC sells come from www.vetteproducts.net I believe. I understand they have the original tooling. I haven't seen anyone that sells prebuilt frame side rail sections... Welding is a little beyond my comfort zone, so lacking any other option, I'll hire a welder and say "make this side look like that side" :P

[Ian G.]

C1 frame has welded plates on the bottom

I removed the rest of the bondo from the bottom and sides of my frame on the passenger-side box rails and there's a lot of rust-through the plates were reinforcing.

Can anyone suggest a junk yard, member or (yourself) that I could contact to get a whole section of rear box frame from? I know one person to call anyway... I need a section from the top of the rounded portion where the axle bumper is, to maybe a foot ahead of the front bracket for the leaf spring. Then I can take that section and my car to a body shop. vetteproducts.net might offer the box section, but I'd probably have to buy the whole side...

[Dick W.]

Re: C1 frame has welded plates on the bottom

Vette Products has a repair section for the rear of the frame, pt. # 17092 L or R, depending on which side you need

[Mike E.]

Re: C1 frame has welded plates on the bottom

Sander--
Nice work! That's a pretty ugly body mount sticking out there--am I correct in my assumption that the second (most outboard) hole is there to make the body fit since the mount is pushed into the frame?
Regards!
Mike

[Richard T.]

Re: C1 frame has welded plates on the bottom

Ian,
One thing to consider is another frame. There have been quite a few decent ones on e bay from guys making resto rods. Depending on what your rust repair will cost it may be an option for you. Rich

[Stewart A.]

Re: C1 frame has welded plates on the bottom

Art Morrison sells a good frame I'll check for a price

[Ian G.]

Re: C1 frame has welded plates on the bottom

I think what I'm gonna have to do is lift the body and put it into a 7x15 storage near where I live and then either buy a new frame or work with someone to get a repair section welded in. I don't trust myself to get a good frame though. I'm kind of a greenhorn to this stuff. I already blew it on buying the corvette with a bad frame in the first place. So if you can recommend a good person Stew, that would be great.

[Stewart A.]

Re: C1 frame has welded plates on the bottom

Hey Ian what year and model is your Corvette.
Stewy

[Ian G.]

Re: C1 frame has welded plates on the bottom

its a 59...

[Richard T.]

Re: C1 frame has welded plates on the bottom

Ian,
The main thing now is not to panic. Get prices for the parts you need and also the labor to make the repairs. Also ask around about used original frames, if you find something maybe you can have an NCRS member inspect it for you. If you find a good straight solid frame it can save a lot of time and grief. Good Luck Rich

[Mark P.]

Re: C1 frame has welded plates on the bottom

Ian - you should post a picture of the damage. You will then get opinions on which way to go. I think a good steel fabricator could fix it cheaper than getting a new frame. Isn't your VIN stamped into the frame ? That would be a reason to try to fix it.

[Ian G.]

Re: C1 frame has welded plates on the bottom

nope, no VIN. I don't think they did that till 60?

I'll post some pics for train wreck value

[Mike E.]

Re: C1 frame has welded plates on the bottom

They put the abbreviated version of the serial number on the frame starting already in 1953. Yours definitely should have it.