1973 Frame Replacement
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
it is not that extreme a job. but unless a 75 or 77 frame is already in your yard or right down the street, cheap and in fabulous condition. get a 73-earlier frame. if you have a sawzall and a welder you could make a chevy Blazer frame fit. doen't mean it is a good idea...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,041
Likes: 505
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
I think that a 1974 frame will also fit. I bought a GM replacement frame for my 68 in 1989. They had it listed as a 68-74 replacement frame. It had a couple of small weldments on the extreme outer rear ends. I removed them. Lou.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,428
Likes: 8,232
From: Napa Valley California
ALLC34ME, David Howard, did an excellent and extensive thread a couple of years ago where he took different C3 model year frames and converted them to later and earlier model year frames.
The thread is long with photographs and extremely informative about what it takes to convert one year frame to accept another year body.
Do a search for his thread and if you can’t find it PM David and he will help you out.
David is the chassis guru regarding C3 chassis and a world class guy.
He also has a Facebook page with loads of followers.
The thread is long with photographs and extremely informative about what it takes to convert one year frame to accept another year body.
Do a search for his thread and if you can’t find it PM David and he will help you out.
David is the chassis guru regarding C3 chassis and a world class guy.
He also has a Facebook page with loads of followers.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
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
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 492
Right...Does the existing frame have damage, or is it badly corroded, and if so - where is it? Also, what is the condition of the birdcage? I went through a complete '69 rolling chassis replacement on my '69 vert last year which was basically plug and play with all the fuel and brake lines installed and it was still a major PITA job. It's also a very costly and time consuming endeavor - luckily the birdcage is fine. I've got the body in place and bolted down, but have not yet attached all the various lines and cables because it's in the paint shop for a color change. Even the engine and Muncie is out of the car until it's painted.
No offense intended here, but unless the car has significant sentimental value, you may be way more into it than the car is worth. Sometimes it's easier to cut and run, and let it be someone else's problem. Then buy another '73, if that's the year you want, that has had any frame issues remediated - sadly, frame and birdcage corrosion is very common in the C2 and C3 gen cars. If the birdcage is also corroded, probably best to walk away, as that takes the restoration to a whole new level.
No offense intended here, but unless the car has significant sentimental value, you may be way more into it than the car is worth. Sometimes it's easier to cut and run, and let it be someone else's problem. Then buy another '73, if that's the year you want, that has had any frame issues remediated - sadly, frame and birdcage corrosion is very common in the C2 and C3 gen cars. If the birdcage is also corroded, probably best to walk away, as that takes the restoration to a whole new level.
Last edited by Corvette-ZL1; Mar 14, 2023 at 11:52 AM.
