Newman vs CorvetteUSA

I am looking at these two potential suppliers for my 1962.
Any co our would be appreciated.

For an all in model from Newman it is about $22,000
Which one is the best value?

Also, I think they do create them for 3 point seat belts?

 

TT,

You need to look at Billy Dawson's Corvette Correction chassis from Seguin, Texas. (www.corvettecorrection.com) Billy is a great guy and builds a hell of a chassis for C-1's.

Wolfman

 

We had Newman convert our original 62 frame for C4 suspension ten years ago. His work and design are top notch and he is a good person to deal with. Since then he has developed a new frame because of the lack of stock frames to convert. His new frame has a number of improvements over using the stock frame and he has all the custom components to make the conversion work well. He was probably the first to offer these conversions so he has a great deal of experience and they perform well.

As mentioned in the earlier post by Wolfman, another good choice is the Corvette Correction chassis by Billy Dawson. Like Newman, his work and design are well done and he is also a good person to deal with and he has many years of experience building C1 conversions.

I would recommend either as being good choices as you can't go wrong selecting either of those. Another choice is the round tube frame from SRIII Motorsports if a frame of that type is appealing to you. Mike Stockdale is another great person to deal with and his design and workmanship are top notch.

If I'm not mistaken Corvette USA converts a stock chassis to accept late model suspension. Personally, I would go with a new frame for several reasons: first you get all new metal and don't have to deal with any repairs that might be needed; second, these frames are a bit stronger and have several design improvements over the originals and third, each of these companies have the custom components needed to put everything together.

Best of luck with your choice and your project.

Rich

 

Lots of good choices available these days. I had Newman do my 54 chassis back in 2000. One of the first done. Newman was top notch. Not the cheapest though.

I would ask, what type of driving are you going to do? Competitive or just a nice waxer show car? If I just wanted a late model suspension and drivetrain, I'd probably lean towards the less expensive options. Not the rock bottom guy but probably somewhere in the middle of the price range.

Just my .02

 

For just a FRAME?

 

John,

From the Newman Car Creations web site:

53-62 Corvette Price List & Components
Conversions
$9,995.00
Package A: '53-'62 Corvette Frame Conversion
Includes new scratch built frame to accept 1985-1996 Corvette suspension
Plus

Newman Car Creations cast aluminum torque arm
Complete aluminum rear tie rod assembly
Side motor mount pads welded on the frame
Transmission mount bracket

$19,995.00
Package B: '53-'62 Corvette Frame and Suspension Package
Includes new scratch built frame to accept 1985-1996 Corvette suspension
Plus

Newman Car Creations cast aluminum torque arm
Complete aluminum rear tie rod assembly
Side motor mount pads welded on the frame
Transmission mount bracket

Plus

'85-'96 complete front and rear Corvette suspension with a good used Dana 36 differential
Complete suspension refurbishing
Suspension assembled on frame
New Bilstein shocks
Bump stop rubbers
Powder coat frame. Standard color is pearl black
Steel brake hard lines installed
New brake rotors, new pads. Rebuilt calipers. High performance braided stainless brake hoses

There are other options and I believe the OP was also including some of those.

We purchased our own suspension, finished and painted the frame ourselves which helped keep the cost down.

Rich

 

I believe my frame conversion back in 2000 was $6500. That was 11 yrs ago!!

 

As I recall that's what our conversion ran as well. Today the stock frame conversion runs ~$8,995. One extra cost with converting a stock frame is shipping it in both directions. We shipped to and from the East and West coasts which was pretty expensive. Besides avoiding one direction of shipping the other aspect in using a new frame is that the original rolling chassis can be sold to offset the costs.

From what I recall the Corvette Correction chassis was quite a bit less expensive and I'm sure the OP will find out more when discussing with Billy Dawson.

Rich

 

Yep. By the time I was done with shipping, I had around $9k in the frame.

 

If you are shopping all aftermarket frames, add Street Shop to your list, http://www.streetshopinc.com/

 

If you want an original frame you might want to try D and A Corvette.

He does mostly C2 but I think I saw some C1 frames when I was there.

He does beautiful work as well.

http://www.da-corvette.com/

 

Consider Rick at R and R Frames...he uses the Newman style frame, but at much less cost.

http://www.randrframes.com/about.html

 

Thanks for all the suggestions.
Calling all and comparing.
Any comments on the modified c5 vs the c4 options they offer?

 

C5 suspension will require you cutting the floors and will make fitting a convertible top very challenging, there are some threads about it here. I have not driven a car with C5 setup, so can't tell you how much better it is.

 

Any comments on the street shop option?
Seems quite impressive and uses newer components.

Thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks TT Canada

 

I have 2 Street frames, 67 and 60 and plan on getting 3rd one with C6 suspension. They fit extremely well and arguably are best engineered frames. You should plan to go to Carlisle, that way you can see all the frames side by side.

 

Torose what made you go with street shop?

 

sent you a PM

 

TT,

Torose is right.....Street Shop is a VERY nice chassis....I have one under my '64 Coupe....everything bolted up nice and clean....Trey Walden knows his sh..! I recommended Billy Dawson and Corvette Correction earlier in this thread for two reasons: 1) He is in Seguin, Texas...23 miles from my house and 2) Billy is a great guy and builds a hell of a chassis for the C-1 of which I am going to use for the '59 I bought a few months ago for my next resto mod project.

Do your homework.....you'll make the right decision.

Wolfman