New Reproduction Frames

[Michael G.]

Re: New Reproduction Frames

Nice pic, John.

I find it interesting that Mike says the new frame weighed about twice as much as the old one. Assuming that Neil uses the same gage steel that was used originally, that's lot of metal lost to rust.

Maybe that's why my car that lived in Michigan flexes so much over railroad tracks... and my California one doesn't. The frames both look about the same from the outside (new), so I might have to weigh the two cars to see if two identically optioned cars differ much in weight. Maybe Neil will have anther customer.

[Dick W.]

Re: New Reproduction Frames

Jack, cutting the VIN out of the old frame and placing it in the new frame is not as hard as one would think. Just a little time, patience, and skill

[Jack H.]

Re: New Reproduction Frames

Nice pic, John.

I find it interesting that Mike says the new frame weighed about twice as much as the old one. Assuming that Neil uses the same gage steel that was used originally, that's lot of metal lost to rust.

Maybe that's why my car that lived in Michigan flexes so much over railroad tracks... and my California one doesn't. The frames both look about the same from the outside (new), so I might have to weigh the two cars to see if two identically optioned cars differ much in weight. Maybe Neil will have anther customer.

I'm not sure that Mike didn't perhaps exaggerate just a bit. However, this is a good reason why I'm considering one of Neal's brand new, full thickness frames instead of a supposedly "rust-free" original. Without dissecting, you really can't tell how much material has melted away especially on the non-visible inside of frame.

[Timothy B.]

Re: New Reproduction Frames

Thanks for all the response to this question, please keep it coming. No one wants to pay $5000 for a frame but I bet there are a lot of corvettes running around that have frame issues.

Dick, I would have a hard time opening a new frame to install #'s, you would think the integrety of the box section would be lessened.

What's the proper procedure for law enforcement on #'s or is there one..

[Jerry W.]

Re: New Reproduction Frames

This is the front left frame horn weld that i referred to in the earilier post.

We sleeved inside both members and you can see the weld method.

After finished grinding.....It's invisable

[Frederick W.]

Re: New Reproduction Frames

I, too, am in the market for a replacement 63 frame. Based on recommendations here I've looked into the new frames from Michigan.
I have been told by 2 separate extremely experienced and well known vette frame experts that the frames are not correct. They have given detailed reasons. In fact the opinion by the experts was much, shall we say, more blunt and strongly worded. The biggest stated issue, among many, is that the rear kickups are apparently set at the wrong angle, which to fix is said to require cutting the entire back end of the frame off, resetting in a jig and rewelding. There are other issues as well, I am told.

I have no direct knowledge of this, so I am not certain what to make of it.
The motivations of people in their statements and criticisms must always be considered carefully, and competition can always be the underlying reason. Those who have given me this information, however, are reputable.

Because of this information, I have put on hold my plan to buy a new frame, and will investigate further. I would advise caution, and if others have information to share please do so. I am not sure who to believe at this point.

Fred

I am interested in hearing feedback from people about the vette products of Michigan reproduction frames.

How close to original are they and the quality of the part. Do they judge OK for NCRS?? Are they really year specific or generic and how much additional work is needed to make a correct looking frame??

What other suppliers are making frames or offer frame services that may be other options?

[Jerry W.]

Re: New Reproduction Frames

Here's what it looks like finished....The weld is just forward of the left front body mount

[Jerry W.]

Re: New Reproduction Frames

Here's the historic boiler plate repair that was done years ago before i bought to car in 1974....i'm happy with the new repro vette products frame horn

[William C.]

Re: New Reproduction Frames

Fellow near me has conpleted his second "reconstruction" of a car in the last two years, one '64 and one '65, use Neil's frames for both and can't say enough good thingd about them. The finished cars are both excellent.

[John H.]

Re: New Reproduction Frames

I, too, am in the market for a replacement 63 frame. Based on recommendations here I've looked into the new frames from Michigan.
I have been told by 2 separate extremely experienced and well known vette frame experts that the frames are not correct. They have given detailed reasons. In fact the opinion by the experts was much, shall we say, more blunt and strongly worded. The biggest stated issue, among many, is that the rear kickups are apparently set at the wrong angle, which to fix is said to require cutting the entire back end of the frame off, resetting in a jig and rewelding. There are other issues as well, I am told.

I have no direct knowledge of this, so I am not certain what to make of it.
The motivations of people in their statements and criticisms must always be considered carefully, and competition can always be the underlying reason. Those who have given me this information, however, are reputable.

Because of this information, I have put on hold my plan to buy a new frame, and will investigate further. I would advise caution, and if others have information to share please do so. I am not sure who to believe at this point.

Fred

Fred -

Those are the first negative reviews I've ever heard on the Vette Products frame. That specific issue should have been seen on the "rear 48-inch" replacement section, which Neal has been making for 25 years - it was his first product, and he's sold thousands of them over the years.

[William C.]

Re: New Reproduction Frames

Not evident nor a problem on the two frames I have seen used locally, and the builder would cave been in immediate contact with me if such a problem had arisen.

[Frederick W.]

Re: New Reproduction Frames

Fellow near me has conpleted his second "reconstruction" of a car in the last two years, one '64 and one '65, use Neil's frames for both and can't say enough good thingd about them. The finished cars are both excellent.

This is very helpful, could you give me the gentlemen's contact info so I could call him and talk to him about it?

Thanks
Fred
fwillison@mac.com

[Frederick W.]

Re: New Reproduction Frames

Fred -

Those are the first negative reviews I've ever heard on the Vette Products frame. That specific issue should have been seen on the "rear 48-inch" replacement section, which Neal has been making for 25 years - it was his first product, and he's sold thousands of them over the years.

John,
Understand that I am not giving a negative review, because I have not personally ever even laid eyes on one of these frames.
But I heard these criticisms by a very experienced nationally known corvette frame guy, and when I told him that everyone else says the frames are great, he gave me two other nationally known frame shops to call to verify his statments. I called one of these shops (everyone here would know the shop if I gave the name) and the information was absolutely verified with no mincing of words. I may call the other shop as well.
Again, perhaps this is all sour grapes among competitors, but these shops have been around for decades and the people are big names in the business.
I really hope it is wrong, because I want one of these frames for my car.
Fred

[Gary F.]

Re: New Reproduction Frames

I'm a newbie, and this is my first reply so I had to say something about this for I bought a frame for my 63 last October from Neil, for my origional one was un -saveable. The Frame is gorgeous, and they are SUPER to deal with. Everyone I ever talked to before buying said get it from Vette Products, and believe me, they were right 100%. I'm a totally pleased customer, and would recommended them to anyone. As was said previously, I too wish everyone would put out a product like they do. I own a factory black/black 63 that origionally came with fuel injection, and I have a very long road ahead of me, but it should look cool when it's finished.

[Dick W.]

Re: New Reproduction Frames

Fredrick, I used and sold Neil's frames for over 15 years and NEVER had a complaint or problem. I am like John, as many as have been sold, surely one of us would have heard of a problem.