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Frames from different years

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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 12:50 PM
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Default Frames from different years

Hey all, one question, I have a '78, and my frame has a few cracks in it here and there, I have the opportunity to buy a frame from a '69 that is already straight, welded and painted for cheap from a friend. It includes all the control arms and such. So my question is how closesly does this frame match mine? I have heard in the past that the earlier frames are slightly different than the later ones as far as trailing arms go (can't put as wide a tire on...) not sure if this holds any water or not, so a little light on the subject would be appreciated...
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 01:04 PM
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I have both a 71 frame here and one from a 76, the difference I can see is in the rear where your bumper (shock absorbers) mount. If the 69 frame is as clean as you say I would be willing to trade for my 76 (clean Arizona) frame but you would have to come "south of the border" to do the deal. If anyone else reading this is in need of a clean 76 frame feel free to e-mail me direct or it`s going to Bloomington.
...redvetracr@msn.com
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 01:28 PM
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Thanks for the offer redvetracr, but this frame is offered to me real cheap as a favour, and don't feel right about doing a trade with it. The friend that is giving it to me says that he can use it in the future, but if I need it, I could have it cheap.

So you say that the bumper mounts are different, can a '69 frame be modified to take a '78 body?
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 02:22 PM
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Originally Posted by redvetracr
I have both a 71 frame here and one from a 76, the difference I can see is in the rear where your bumper (shock absorbers) mount. If the 69 frame is as clean as you say I would be willing to trade for my 76 (clean Arizona) frame but you would have to come "south of the border" to do the deal. If anyone else reading this is in need of a clean 76 frame feel free to e-mail me direct or it`s going to Bloomington.
...redvetracr@msn.com
email sent

*edit* I don't intend to steal this deal from the original poster if he wants it, just putting myself next in line if there is a deal to be made. :o

Last edited by Star79; Jun 7, 2005 at 02:32 PM.
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 04:48 PM
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I think there's a lot of difference between a 1969 and a 1978 frame. The 1978 frame is constructed to support the rubber bumpers and their associated bracketry. (I thought there was an article in corvettefaq that detailed the difference in each year's frame. I couldn't find the article.)

A 1969 frame in good condition is worth a lot of money and relatively rare. It would be a waste to chop it up and try to modify it to look like a 1978 frame.
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 05:30 PM
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Here you go

http://www.71corvette.com/frames.html

Stp
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 05:37 PM
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Originally Posted by stpman

Great link. I have an unoriginal frame so this helps me to understand the differences.
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by stpman
Great Link I love learning more about these awesome cars.
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 10:05 PM
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Very good read, thanks for the info, I guess it would be a shame to hack it up, where I can probably fix mine with some weld repairs. By looking at all the changes through the years, you definately through away the notion that all C3 frames were the same.......
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