Theory time:

• What constitutes a "frame off restoration"?
• How far does a car have to be "restored" to be consider it "restored"?
• Is a resto-mod a restored vehicle?

In my case:

• I'm pulling the body of my 1979 off the frame to replace body mounts, fuel lines and seam weld the frame.
• The interior has been gutted, will get new carpet and insulation, new seats, etc.
• Suspension is going to (progressively) get redone/built up for racing.
• I'm replacing the 350/automatic combo with a 454/T56 combo.

So in the end, it's certainly been a "frame off" something. Not sure I'd call it a "restoration" because it's not going to be like it was from the factory. But then again, what is a restoration anyways?

As I said, theory... not trying to set this thing up to sell/rip anyone off. Just curious.

 

For me a frame off is when the body Is removed from the frame and everything is restored. Anything else is justa repair or repaint. Or what some call a frame up resto.

 

It seems the term "Resto-Mod" fits.....(partial)Restoration-(partial)Modification.

 

Agree. The OP's car is going to be a restomod.

 

Interesting question. In my case, I am going to pull the body off my 68. I am getting a “new” (to me) 72 frame, and having it powder coated. I am going to rebuild most things on the frame, new crossmembers front and rear, new brake lines, new fuel lines, rebuilt trailing arms, a-arms powder coated... and that’s it. I am not touching the body. Interior has already been mostly rebuilt years ago, paint is ****, but I can’t afford to fix it, engine is already working good... I am considering what I’m doing a frame off, but it it is in no way a complete restoration. My car will be significantly improved structurally, but visually to anyone but the most ardent Corvette enthusiast, it won’t look like I did anything.

 

The "frame off" restoration is a misnomer, because most restorations of this type are actually "body off" type work. Yes, there are a few who actually have full vehicle rotary set-ups....VERY few.

 

ChrisLSx you have asked a very good question and I believe it has many answers possible.

Specifically speaking you have described removing a body (body off) and modifying the frame, or chassis, to fit your own particular needs. I don't disagree that you are building a resto-mod; it does sound like that description would work.

To me a full restoration means taking a car apart completely and putting it back together as per original with repaired and or restored parts. No modifications or minor modifications allowed.
We used to use the word "Stock" for a car that was not molested or could be considered original.

I have had two (2) 1977's; one (1) 1975; one (1) 1972; one (1) 1971; and one (1) 1974 that I have worked on. One of the 77's was stock, no modifications, no restoration, some touch up and some repair items like belts, but otherwise stock. The second 77 had a new engine, new six speed transmission, new interior, and other enhancements. It was a stock interior but a very non stock engine and suspension and running gear; so I called it modified. I did not restore that 77 frame nor did I lift the body off of the frame, so I would not have called it a resto-mod. My 1971 Green Sparty was my one and only attempt at building a restored car without modifications. My 1972 racer was all modified when restored, a pure restomod. The 74 convertible I am working on now is being restored, with modifications to look like stock but the engine is 350hp and not the stock 190hp variety. So it is modified.

I do appreciate the question, it makes a person think, and that is a good thing.

Look forward to hearing what others say.

Enjoy your restomod.

David Howard
AllVettes4Me

 

I doubt there is any real and absolute definition of "restoration:, but I guess we could look at the dictionary to start. But, people say many things about the work they do on cars, and I find that typically people always imply the work the did is more extensive, or more thorough, than they really did.....i.e. they exaggerate. So, to the OP, do what you want with the car. Its not important to really have a name for it till you sell it, and then just honestly state exactly what you did.

 

Take a look at Joe Biden that is beyond restoration!

 

IMO a frame off restoration is every nut/bolt removed, car striped to nothing, and completely rebuilt to factory new or slightly better.

yes a resto mod can be restored, but when you make significant deviations from factory it then becomes a resto mod, example like an ls swap, or adding a sharkbite suspension.

I think the term restored is used far too much. I've seen many a car with new paint, and the 50 yr old dirty/rusty undercarriage be called restored. IMO that is NOT restored, its painted.

 

I'm pulling the body off the frame on my 73.
I'll replace all the original parts with new replacement parts and heavily modifying the engine, transmission, rear differential, suspension, steering, wiring harness and most of the components.
I consider my build a body off restomod.
Whether that will be the correct terminology or not, I really can't say.
I really don't think it matters what you call it.
It sounds like it will be a fun build and a fun car to drive when it's completed.
Enjoy it and don't get caught up in being too politically correct.

 

I took off the body, stripped the frame, had it sandblasted. I then repainted the frame and built the car back up. Rebuilt the trailing arms, transmission, engine. Replaced the body mounts, fuel and brake lines, suspension and everything in between. I did not use ALL original parts so I call mine a "frame-off rebuild" not a restoration.

 

Okay, to continue the hypothetical, assume it's 10 years down the road you decided to sell your car and you are creating a craigslist add. What do you put?

It sounds like most people are in the same boat as me. We aren't "restoring" our cars. In a way, we are refreshing them? We all agree that our car's are "frame off restorations" because we aren't restoring them. But they certainly aren't 40+ year old rust buckets too. There seems to be this huge gap between "restored" and "rust bucket". It's almost black and white, either it's restored or it's not, worth a lot or worth nothing.

I'm guilty of it myself because when I was looking for my C3, if I came across an add that said "frame off restoration" I had a gut reaction of "it must be pristine." By contrast, if the add just said "rebuilt" or "freshened" then I thought "ehhhh... guy probably changed the spark plugs and is trying to make a quick dollar." Heaven help the guy that said anything about "hot rodded" or "built up" because that instantly brings to mind "oh crap.... bubba done hacked it up and made him a NASCAR piece."

 

I like the frame off rebuild description. You are doing the heavy lifting, no pun intended by pulling the body off the frame. Doing that also allows you to detail the bottom of the car much easier and better than with the body on the frame. It's amazing how many cars are described as restored it means they spray bombed the engine compartment.
If you decided to sell some day even if the paint isn't the best having the frame and the underside of the car "restored" would be a great selling point.
Good luck with your project.

 

 

Restoration.....Restomod...So many areas of gray.....I like to call it frame off recreation.