1971 Frame Off Restoration
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 998
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis IN
1971 Frame Off Restoration
Those of you that have had a frame off done, I would like to get an idea of the cost involved with each step of the process.
I am about ready to pull the body off the frame, going to have a get together so I have 6 or so people to help lift the body up and off the frame.
The motor, tranny are already out. I want to get the suspension pulled apart, rebuilt, the frame blasted (repairs needed done) and powdercoated black. Then the a-arms powdercoated and everything put back together so I have a roller. Once the motor, rear end and tranny are rebuilt and painted I will get them put back on the frame.
To get the frame work done what would be an expected budget?
I am about ready to pull the body off the frame, going to have a get together so I have 6 or so people to help lift the body up and off the frame.
The motor, tranny are already out. I want to get the suspension pulled apart, rebuilt, the frame blasted (repairs needed done) and powdercoated black. Then the a-arms powdercoated and everything put back together so I have a roller. Once the motor, rear end and tranny are rebuilt and painted I will get them put back on the frame.
To get the frame work done what would be an expected budget?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,237
Likes: 4,330
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi MGPR,
The cost can vary tremendously.
The amount of work you do yourself and the degree of detail you want to achieve are probably the biggest factors. Whether you aim to be stock looking, have some modifications, or lots of modifications, can affect the cost, too. For instance you can spend $$$ having the original drive shaft and half-shafts restored to factory appearance, or you can restore them to some degree at home, or you can paint them black, or you can replace them with new, OR you can replace them with something high-tech and superior to the factory original.
This is just a start of a LONG list of possibilities.
The first thing I'd ask you is what is your definition of RESTORATION?
Here's a couple pictures of a chassis that had a ridiculous amount of time spent on it but RELITIVELY little money.
So... describe a little more where the restoration is headed.
Regards,
Alan
The cost can vary tremendously.
The amount of work you do yourself and the degree of detail you want to achieve are probably the biggest factors. Whether you aim to be stock looking, have some modifications, or lots of modifications, can affect the cost, too. For instance you can spend $$$ having the original drive shaft and half-shafts restored to factory appearance, or you can restore them to some degree at home, or you can paint them black, or you can replace them with new, OR you can replace them with something high-tech and superior to the factory original.
This is just a start of a LONG list of possibilities.
The first thing I'd ask you is what is your definition of RESTORATION?
Here's a couple pictures of a chassis that had a ridiculous amount of time spent on it but RELITIVELY little money.
So... describe a little more where the restoration is headed.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 998
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis IN
Alan,
Thanks for the response.
The car has been in the family longer then I have and I would like to get it back to an excellent condition. The car was used for NCCC high speed road course racing. The interior was dyed black from red and a new exterior paint job put on. The stock motor was blown and replaced with a 70 LT1 motor and built. As luck would have it I have the stock block and heads for the car still.
I am looking for the frame and suspension to be done nice, and powdercoated to protect it long term. Where I can I would like to keep it original.
Thanks for the response.
The car has been in the family longer then I have and I would like to get it back to an excellent condition. The car was used for NCCC high speed road course racing. The interior was dyed black from red and a new exterior paint job put on. The stock motor was blown and replaced with a 70 LT1 motor and built. As luck would have it I have the stock block and heads for the car still.
I am looking for the frame and suspension to be done nice, and powdercoated to protect it long term. Where I can I would like to keep it original.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 71
From: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
As Alan 71 said you need to define "Restoration" as that will effect pricing and what you do.
It cost me about $850.for my frame to be blasted dipped and powder coated add a few hundred more for the suspension pieces. Now you know your frame was not powder coated from the factory, but you say you want to keep it original so you should decide what is important to you. If you want this car NCRS judged etc, then you need to make those decisions before you get to far along as there are lots of little details that are required that would add to the cost quickly.
You will spend more than you think as once you get into it you will find pieces that need replacing because of rust based upon what you said about frame repairs needed. If there is rust on the frame that needs repair it is also elsewhere most likely. Things such as fuel lines, brake lines, various body mounts, bushing, bearings, seals, weatherstrips, motor mounts, trans mounts, diff mounts bolts, shims, etc etc etc. are very common during a body off restoration or rebuild/repair and since you have the body off, you are better off fixing everything once.
Good luck with your body off and it will be worth it in the end but the costs can add up quickly!
It cost me about $850.for my frame to be blasted dipped and powder coated add a few hundred more for the suspension pieces. Now you know your frame was not powder coated from the factory, but you say you want to keep it original so you should decide what is important to you. If you want this car NCRS judged etc, then you need to make those decisions before you get to far along as there are lots of little details that are required that would add to the cost quickly.
You will spend more than you think as once you get into it you will find pieces that need replacing because of rust based upon what you said about frame repairs needed. If there is rust on the frame that needs repair it is also elsewhere most likely. Things such as fuel lines, brake lines, various body mounts, bushing, bearings, seals, weatherstrips, motor mounts, trans mounts, diff mounts bolts, shims, etc etc etc. are very common during a body off restoration or rebuild/repair and since you have the body off, you are better off fixing everything once.
Good luck with your body off and it will be worth it in the end but the costs can add up quickly!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 998
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis IN
As Alan 71 said you need to define "Restoration" as that will effect pricing and what you do.
It cost me about $850.for my frame to be blasted dipped and powder coated add a few hundred more for the suspension pieces. Now you know your frame was not powder coated from the factory, but you say you want to keep it original so you should decide what is important to you. If you want this car NCRS judged etc, then you need to make those decisions before you get to far along as there are lots of little details that are required that would add to the cost quickly.
You will spend more than you think as once you get into it you will find pieces that need replacing because of rust based upon what you said about frame repairs needed. If there is rust on the frame that needs repair it is also elsewhere most likely. Things such as fuel lines, brake lines, various body mounts, bushing, bearings, seals, weatherstrips, motor mounts, trans mounts, diff mounts bolts, shims, etc etc etc. are very common during a body off restoration or rebuild/repair and since you have the body off, you are better off fixing everything once.
Good luck with your body off and it will be worth it in the end but the costs can add up quickly!
It cost me about $850.for my frame to be blasted dipped and powder coated add a few hundred more for the suspension pieces. Now you know your frame was not powder coated from the factory, but you say you want to keep it original so you should decide what is important to you. If you want this car NCRS judged etc, then you need to make those decisions before you get to far along as there are lots of little details that are required that would add to the cost quickly.
You will spend more than you think as once you get into it you will find pieces that need replacing because of rust based upon what you said about frame repairs needed. If there is rust on the frame that needs repair it is also elsewhere most likely. Things such as fuel lines, brake lines, various body mounts, bushing, bearings, seals, weatherstrips, motor mounts, trans mounts, diff mounts bolts, shims, etc etc etc. are very common during a body off restoration or rebuild/repair and since you have the body off, you are better off fixing everything once.
Good luck with your body off and it will be worth it in the end but the costs can add up quickly!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 14
From: Airdrie Alberta
Its all the little things that will add up on these projects, bushings, fuel/brakelines, clips, fasteners, rotors, calipers, nut plates, wiring etc etc
Lots and lots of labor, if you can do it your self you will save big time!
Its fun to bring one back though!!
Lots and lots of labor, if you can do it your self you will save big time!
Its fun to bring one back though!!
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Gurley Alabama
I've done lots of full resto's, but this is my first 'vette......what I've learned down the road is no matter what you think it'll cost, double it! And don't get mad if something pops up that you didn't plan for - it always will!
So, I've learned that once I decide to start a restoration, I keep my receipts but spend what I have to spend to finish the car the way I want it - no budget ever stands once the car is "opened up"....after the car's finished, I sometimes add up all the receipts; most time don't.
So, I've learned that once I decide to start a restoration, I keep my receipts but spend what I have to spend to finish the car the way I want it - no budget ever stands once the car is "opened up"....after the car's finished, I sometimes add up all the receipts; most time don't.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 69
From: Regina Sk Canada
I am doing a frame off on my 1980, and i am into it for $13,000.00 so far, not including what i paid for the car. That includes NEW> Motor Tranny diffy front and rear suspension, new steering brakes including all the lines as well etc, look at my post 1980 rebuild, will give you an idea.
1971, abody, average, body, c3, complete, corvette, corvettes, cost, definition, frame, frameoff, resterations, restoration, restorations, steps
