69 frame
#1
Safety Car
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69 frame
I have an early 69 (10/68) are there frames other then 69 that will work. If so, do I need to be concerned about the car being built in early 69. May go for another frame and was looking for some info. Thank you
#2
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Hi r,
You can certainly use a 68-72 frame.
There's a small difference between the 68-69 frame.... for 69 a diagonal brace was added to the frame rail on each side at the 'kick-up'.
The frame differences became more involved as the rubber bumpers were added to the cars.
Regards,
Alan
You can certainly use a 68-72 frame.
There's a small difference between the 68-69 frame.... for 69 a diagonal brace was added to the frame rail on each side at the 'kick-up'.
The frame differences became more involved as the rubber bumpers were added to the cars.
Regards,
Alan
#3
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In 1980, I bought a replacement frame from GM for my 1969. So I ordered a 1969 frame. Several years ago, I decided to build up this frame for my 70. Removing front bumper brackets from my 70, I discovered they would not bolt up to the "69" spare frame I had ordered. A slight difference, but still no bolt up. I discovered, thanks to the help of people at Volunteer Vettes, that if you ordered a spare frame in 1980 for a 69, you would get......I forget now......either a 72 or a 73 frame...I can't now remember which. So I have a 72 or 73 frame and it's not quite the right frame for a 70. Actually it's only a couple of bolt holes that make the difference...a body shop will have no problem bolting up my 70 parts to whatever frame I have... Drilling a couple of holes, welding on a nut, etc.. Now that I've had some time to think, I think my "69" service frame is really a 73. For sure a 68 to 71 frame is OK. Probably a 72 frame also.. A 73 frame can be easily modified. For a 74 frame..forget it.
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In 1980, I bought a replacement frame from GM for my 1969. So I ordered a 1969 frame. Several years ago, I decided to build up this frame for my 70. Removing front bumper brackets from my 70, I discovered they would not bolt up to the "69" spare frame I had ordered. A slight difference, but still no bolt up. I discovered, thanks to the help of people at Volunteer Vettes, that if you ordered a spare frame in 1980 for a 69, you would get......I forget now......either a 72 or a 73 frame...I can't now remember which. So I have a 72 or 73 frame and it's not quite the right frame for a 70. Actually it's only a couple of bolt holes that make the difference...a body shop will have no problem bolting up my 70 parts to whatever frame I have... Drilling a couple of holes, welding on a nut, etc.. Now that I've had some time to think, I think my "69" service frame is really a 73. For sure a 68 to 71 frame is OK. Probably a 72 frame also.. A 73 frame can be easily modified. For a 74 frame..forget it.
A 74 frame is actually the same as a 73 (info from a restorer) but it has plates welded to the rear section for the first energy absorbing bumpers. If you cut those plates off you have a 73 frame. 74 and later frames had a different rear section that is not easily modified.
Rick B.