Frame Mystery
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 502
Likes: 6
From: Chesterfield Virginia
Frame Mystery
Vet Lovers,
Need your help and opinions again. Pulled the body off my frame and now I am really confused. This vet was supposed to be a 71 but now I have some serious doubts about the frame under it. If you look in the Zip catalog on page 5, check out the kick up side gusset that goes from upper frame to #3 crossmember, part #M-3723. My frame does not have any sign of ever having this part welded in. I wonder if someone was able to adapt a pre 68 frame to fit under a 71? The rear frame crossmember has been welded in by someone other than GM, that was pretty obvious upon inspection. Overall, the frame is in great condition with no rust at all. This may explain why I never found any vin numbers if someone had bought a replacement frame. Don't understand why they would have bought something that needed to be modified unless maybe they got a freebie or a super deal on it. I think this frame may end up on Ebay in hopes of finding a correct home. Thoughts or opinions???
Thank you,
Norm
Need your help and opinions again. Pulled the body off my frame and now I am really confused. This vet was supposed to be a 71 but now I have some serious doubts about the frame under it. If you look in the Zip catalog on page 5, check out the kick up side gusset that goes from upper frame to #3 crossmember, part #M-3723. My frame does not have any sign of ever having this part welded in. I wonder if someone was able to adapt a pre 68 frame to fit under a 71? The rear frame crossmember has been welded in by someone other than GM, that was pretty obvious upon inspection. Overall, the frame is in great condition with no rust at all. This may explain why I never found any vin numbers if someone had bought a replacement frame. Don't understand why they would have bought something that needed to be modified unless maybe they got a freebie or a super deal on it. I think this frame may end up on Ebay in hopes of finding a correct home. Thoughts or opinions???
Thank you,
Norm
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,214
Likes: 0
From: Casa Grande AZ
If it's a midyear frame with just the rear part changed it will be worth some money. http://www.71corvette.com/frames.html
Larry
Larry
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 502
Likes: 6
From: Chesterfield Virginia
No sign of any VIN numbers anywhere on the frame. It does look like some front body mounts were moved. Also has the pulley indent that started in 65 and the gussets they added starting in 64.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
VIN will tell you the year. If you have a St. Louis frame, the original VIN is stamped on the top of the left frame rail near where the driver would be sitting with the body on the car and near the #4 body mount. You may have to remove road gook and surface scaling to see the stamps. They may be feint, so look closely. Do not take any type of abrasives to either area or you could obliterate the stamps while looking for them.
Rear frame rail might even be stamped with a GM part number.
Passenger's side in the area of the footwell you might be able to still see some of the original A. O. Smith Company stenciling on the frame. The stenciling will appear upside down since it was applied with the frame turned over.
If you can't find any VIN stamps, it's possible you have a replacement frame.
Rear frame rail might even be stamped with a GM part number.
Passenger's side in the area of the footwell you might be able to still see some of the original A. O. Smith Company stenciling on the frame. The stenciling will appear upside down since it was applied with the frame turned over.
If you can't find any VIN stamps, it's possible you have a replacement frame.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
I agree.
My 68 frame had no rear gussets on the kick-ups.
If the welds look non-factory then I would guess that the front half is a diff year and the kick-ups back are another year.
You going for numbers matching stock? then get'er on ebay and maybe someone would be interested in your mutant frame.
If your going modified and are worried about strength and have a thick wallet, check out the aftermarket tube frames.
Eitherway, some pics would help us here.
lbell101 - awsome website.
My 68 frame had no rear gussets on the kick-ups.
If the welds look non-factory then I would guess that the front half is a diff year and the kick-ups back are another year.
You going for numbers matching stock? then get'er on ebay and maybe someone would be interested in your mutant frame.
If your going modified and are worried about strength and have a thick wallet, check out the aftermarket tube frames.
Eitherway, some pics would help us here.
lbell101 - awsome website.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 502
Likes: 6
From: Chesterfield Virginia
Do not wish to violate any rules on Corvette Forum but is it OK to say it is now listed on ebay with pictures. Has not been posted yet but should show up any time. Put it in at 4:30. This is absolutely a replacement frame because I had it soda blasted yesterday and we checked every inch for numbers, they do not exist.