Frame off & frame on question
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Frame off & frame on question
I'm buying a 73 that's been "frame on" restored. I was completely ripped off once before and disappointed a second time and now I'm on number three. I learned a lot and now after due diligence I'm buying the car I've always wanted.
I've looked high and low on the internet and have asked many corvette friends, family, repair shop owners and so on but can't find what I'm looking for.
Where can I find the definition of a frame on and frame off restored corvette? I got lots of opinions, speculations, and individual and shop specific answers but not a legal meaning or industry "NCRS" approved meaning.
Does it exist? Is there a corvette specific checklist? Is there a legal definition?
Lastly, I had a few nice, corvette educated pros on our forum help me with purchase of number three. It was restored by a NCRS pro who's an honest guy with over three decades experience, add in lots of pictures, video calls, a third party inspection and what I have is the C3 of my dreams.
Thank you for everything.
R,
Mark
I've looked high and low on the internet and have asked many corvette friends, family, repair shop owners and so on but can't find what I'm looking for.
Where can I find the definition of a frame on and frame off restored corvette? I got lots of opinions, speculations, and individual and shop specific answers but not a legal meaning or industry "NCRS" approved meaning.
Does it exist? Is there a corvette specific checklist? Is there a legal definition?
Lastly, I had a few nice, corvette educated pros on our forum help me with purchase of number three. It was restored by a NCRS pro who's an honest guy with over three decades experience, add in lots of pictures, video calls, a third party inspection and what I have is the C3 of my dreams.
Thank you for everything.
R,
Mark
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 778
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Some things can only be got at seen and fixed with frame off or better said body off like my 69....lots hiding that only a full body off showed, some cars might not appear to need full body off...i feel a good complete restoration need body off...just me.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 253
Likes: 42
From: Moultrie Ga
I've seen many "frame off" cars that were a waste of somebodys time! To take the time involved to take a body off a frame and then end up painting that frame with rustoleum! And of course the rest of the car will be the same caliber work. So you can't judge a car as a restoration just because it had the body off. Only way to know is some serious diligence assessing condition. I've also seen many really good frame on restorations.
Last edited by slofut; Feb 13, 2017 at 08:13 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,866
Likes: 140
From: Sadieville Kentucky
I'm buying a 73 that's been "frame on" restored. I was completely ripped off once before and disappointed a second time and now I'm on number three. I learned a lot and now after due diligence I'm buying the car I've always wanted.
I've looked high and low on the internet and have asked many corvette friends, family, repair shop owners and so on but can't find what I'm looking for.
Where can I find the definition of a frame on and frame off restored corvette? I got lots of opinions, speculations, and individual and shop specific answers but not a legal meaning or industry "NCRS" approved meaning.
Does it exist? Is there a corvette specific checklist? Is there a legal definition?
Lastly, I had a few nice, corvette educated pros on our forum help me with purchase of number three. It was restored by a NCRS pro who's an honest guy with over three decades experience, add in lots of pictures, video calls, a third party inspection and what I have is the C3 of my dreams.
Thank you for everything.
R,
Mark
I've looked high and low on the internet and have asked many corvette friends, family, repair shop owners and so on but can't find what I'm looking for.
Where can I find the definition of a frame on and frame off restored corvette? I got lots of opinions, speculations, and individual and shop specific answers but not a legal meaning or industry "NCRS" approved meaning.
Does it exist? Is there a corvette specific checklist? Is there a legal definition?
Lastly, I had a few nice, corvette educated pros on our forum help me with purchase of number three. It was restored by a NCRS pro who's an honest guy with over three decades experience, add in lots of pictures, video calls, a third party inspection and what I have is the C3 of my dreams.
Thank you for everything.
R,
Mark
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,108
Likes: 4,170
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Mark,
As with many terms used in describing old cars it's a matter of that particular person's definition.
Whether the body has been off the frame or not, is easy to determine.
What was ACTUALLY DONE during the restoration, AND at what LEVEL of SKILL and DEGREE of DETAIL, is what determines what the finished product is.
Given the chance the car almost aways tells it's own story.
Regards,
Alan
As with many terms used in describing old cars it's a matter of that particular person's definition.
Whether the body has been off the frame or not, is easy to determine.
What was ACTUALLY DONE during the restoration, AND at what LEVEL of SKILL and DEGREE of DETAIL, is what determines what the finished product is.
Given the chance the car almost aways tells it's own story.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Feb 12, 2017 at 08:29 AM.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,852
Likes: 3,306
From: NYC NY
I've seen many "frame off" cars that were a waste of somebodys time! To take the time involved to take a body off a frame and then end up painting that frame with rustoleum! And of course the rest of the car will be the same caliber work. So you can't judge a car as a restoration just because it had the body off. Only way to know is some serious diligence assessing condition. I've also seen may really good frame on restorations.
Just because someone pulled the body off the frame does not indicate the quality or completeness of work performed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
