somebody has been sniffing paint fumes too long!
Frame Purchase
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
Frame Purchase
Hi Folks,
I could use a little help with a frame purchase. I have a 73 BB 4-speed in need of a new frame. There is a rolling chassis listed on e-bay (item 150030366870) that is listed as a 72 BB 4-speed frame and the seller tells me only minor mods are required to the frame horm to make this suitable for my car.
Can anyone confirm this or let me know if this is a fair deal. Alternatively, if anyone knows of a suitable frame for sale, please reply to this post with an email address and I'll contact you direct. My preference is to purchase a frame in Ontario or Michigan.
Thanks in advance for your help.
I could use a little help with a frame purchase. I have a 73 BB 4-speed in need of a new frame. There is a rolling chassis listed on e-bay (item 150030366870) that is listed as a 72 BB 4-speed frame and the seller tells me only minor mods are required to the frame horm to make this suitable for my car.
Can anyone confirm this or let me know if this is a fair deal. Alternatively, if anyone knows of a suitable frame for sale, please reply to this post with an email address and I'll contact you direct. My preference is to purchase a frame in Ontario or Michigan.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
You know, I have never priced a restored rolling chassis, but I think that's a BIT high. I would consider that $2000 higher than most complete Corvettes should cost, let alone just the frame. Look around for a donor frame or car. You can do that same work he did to your frame and suspension for under $1000.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
The 73 frame body mounts are positioned a bit lower to account for the change from solid to rubber body mounts. I think the other dimensions are the same. You could use solid mounts and the body should sit at the right height.
I didn't look up the Ebay item, but you can get new repro frames for ~$3,500 from some of the forum vendors and Rowley Corvette has a really nice modernized repro frame for ~$4,000.
Rick B.
I didn't look up the Ebay item, but you can get new repro frames for ~$3,500 from some of the forum vendors and Rowley Corvette has a really nice modernized repro frame for ~$4,000.
Rick B.
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 733
Likes: 1
From: Coquitlam British Columbia
Frame
You might want to look at Vette Products of Michigan they sell frames. I just bought a couple of #4 frame mounts from them and was pleased with the quality. I have a couple of other frame links I could dig up PM me if you want them.For $7,000.00 grand you can get a great looking tube frame if doing a custom resto.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 2
From: Arkansas
That ebay seller is always 4x's higher on thier parts that everyone else 
That is waaaay to high. For that price you would think that it be a little more complete with a rear end, brake and fuel lines etc. It's still pitted from surface rust, All they did was acid dip it and slap some paint on it. I think it should at least be factory smooth and have chalk marks on it for $7500. If someone was actually stupid enough to buy that, the dealer would make a huge profit on it (better than if they were selling a complete car for sure)
Like others have said you could buy the frame for $500-1000 and do the "reconditioning" yourself for $1000.
That is waaaay to high. For that price you would think that it be a little more complete with a rear end, brake and fuel lines etc. It's still pitted from surface rust, All they did was acid dip it and slap some paint on it. I think it should at least be factory smooth and have chalk marks on it for $7500. If someone was actually stupid enough to buy that, the dealer would make a huge profit on it (better than if they were selling a complete car for sure)
Like others have said you could buy the frame for $500-1000 and do the "reconditioning" yourself for $1000.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Aside from the differences noted in Mike's link, I think the seller is correct.
I recall a recent post where the mounting holes in the front frame horn
were off for only one of the holes ... I think drill one 1/2" hole and it's "fixed".
I recall a recent post where the mounting holes in the front frame horn
were off for only one of the holes ... I think drill one 1/2" hole and it's "fixed".
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I want to email that seller and E-Slap him. I realize that they are just tryint to make a buck and he's not actaully being dishonest but he's doing it at the expence of un-experienced buyers who are gonna pay more than they should because they don't know better. Sellers should be more upfront and buyers with no sence should seek help. Present company is NOT referenced in this post by the way.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by Durango_boy
...but he's doing it at the expence of un-experienced buyers who are gonna pay more than they should because they don't know better....
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
It all depends. I just checked a west coast vendors web site, and while not truly an apples to apples compare, they want 11500 for a "rolling" 69-74 frame, but that also includes calipers, steering box, drag link, rear spring and shocks, half shafts and rebuilt differential. So 7500 is ball park. I didn't like the looks of their frame and a-arms in closeups. Looks pitted to me as in there having been major rust issues. If your trailing arms, a-arms rotors, and spindles are usable, I would look for a rust free bare frame. Though I'm not sure that will be easy to find in your designated search area. This is not the year that you are searching for, but its a fairly clean 'Texas' frame for a reasonable price.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Corve...spagenameZWDVW
I know this vendor frequently has frames for other years, and the price difference would cover shipping, sandblasting and a lot of paint.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Corve...spagenameZWDVW
I know this vendor frequently has frames for other years, and the price difference would cover shipping, sandblasting and a lot of paint.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by 71rdster
This is not the year that you are searching for, but its a fairly clean 'Texas' frame for a reasonable price.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Corve...spagenameZWDVW
I know this vendor frequently has frames for other years, and the price difference would cover shipping, sandblasting and a lot of paint.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Corve...spagenameZWDVW
I know this vendor frequently has frames for other years, and the price difference would cover shipping, sandblasting and a lot of paint.
Good link Rdster, that's about the right price for a good rust-free frame. Grab a truck / trailer, a buddy and a cooler full of beer, er...uh...soda, and go get'er.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
Originally Posted by Durango_boy
I want to email that seller and E-Slap him. I realize that they are just tryint to make a buck and he's not actaully being dishonest but he's doing it at the expence of un-experienced buyers who are gonna pay more than they should because they don't know better. Sellers should be more upfront and buyers with no sence should seek help. Present company is NOT referenced in this post by the way.
Thanks for the comments
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by eastltd
This is why I joined this forum. Like most people, I like to do a little checking before opening my wallet.
Thanks for the comments
Thanks for the comments
How far are you from Texas and that cheap rust-free frame? That's a good deal.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
Originally Posted by Durango_boy
How far are you from Texas and that cheap rust-free frame? That's a good deal.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by eastltd
I'm up in Canada. Unfortunately,Texas would be much more then a day trip. I'm hoping to find something in Michigan or Ontario.
Do you see a lot of Vettes in Canada? I know various car makers all had different models available in Canada.
I saw a truck made my Mercury once that was only made in Canada. I think it's cool that our home brands make cars elsewhere that differ from ours in a way that I wish they were available.
Dodge also made a Durango type Ram a few years ago in Mexico. It was their full size SUV based off the Ram instead of the Dakota. It looked cool, but you couldn't get it here...just in Mexico.