The more I look at my '77 the more I wish I had the rear-end and bumper from a '73. I love my '77, and will keep it, but how bad would it be to try to swap my car's butt out for a '73 butt?

 

aside from needing the rear clip from a '71 - '73, the rear frame rails are different also.
I guess you could change the rear frame rails, they are available for around $430.00 brand new.

I know what you mean about the rear of those cars.
I love it!

 

So, with new frame ends, and a rear clip from a '73...it could be done? Would it be easier to slice off the back of mine, and add the slice from the '73, or would the whole back half of the cab need to come off?

 

I considered the same thing when I found my car, but changed my mind. I had the parts list made up.

I don't believe there is a difference in the frame rails. However the rear crossmember is different and that is available new. Mine is a vert so I was going to use the one piece rear clip into the jams, but on your coupe I would buy the individual body panels, gussets and strips and section the rear portion behind the sail panels it would be easier than trying to mate a 1 piece clip to your existing body. Then it's a matter of buying bumpers, brackets, hardware, license bezel and all the lights. You'll need to shorten your exhaust at the rear also.

 

I run side pipes. But it's good to know someone else had this on their mind and I don't feel so crazy now.

 

D-Boy go to Greenwood and check out this rear. It maybe what you are looking for. http://www.greenwoodcorvettes.net/indexLAST.htm

PS Now give me the link to your avatar I want a large pic to send to a friend in need.

 

PM me your email, and I'll send a full size to you.

I looked at the Greenwood site and all I saw was that BatMobile looking kit. Do they not have a '73 look rear kit for my car? That's what I assumed you'd be linking me to.

 

I could go for some tail as well, but I prefer about a 1980-85 vintage....

 

There is a difference in the cross sectional shape of the frame rails. The 68-74 frame rails have a rectangular cross section. The 75-82 frame rails are square.

It would require a fabbed transitional piece to mate them together. Some sort of a flanged connection could also work. Either way they are not a direct cut and reweld connection.

 

I did it, but was not planned at first. I was looking for a frame and rear
clip to fix frame/birdcage rot. Ended up with a '70 falling into my lap.
You can use 68-73 rear body.
It's a lot of work to swap the whole rear. You could graft in the rear
taillight panel with some custom work and frame modifications, but I
have yet to see anyone actually complete this ... usually give up in frustration.

 

Nothing like some '73 tail!

 

Unless you really love the 77, sell it buy a 73. Cheaper in the long run. Even if you own a bodyshop, lots of hours, parts, while you are at it parts, etc. Once you start that job you cant quit. It would be a good time to get rear ended, and let the insurance company foot the bill..... I have been thinking of selling my 73. People are starting to see the value in them, as opposed to high dollar 68-72.

 

i like my tail---------------

 

I love my car, and have done a lot to it that I don't want to swap or do it all again. I have access to a '73 with front damage. I may look into finding an entire rear section and doing the body swap. It all depends on what kind of deals I find. I don't mind the extra work.

 

Not the side fender flares just the rear cover & spoiler. I was thinking of getting it for my 79 drop tail.

I'll send a pm w/my e-mail

Thanks
Jim

 

I dropped a 71 shell from the firewall back on a 76 frame. I took the 5mph bumper shocks out and fabbed up some brackets to support the two bumperettes. I also molded the exhaust filler panel into the rest of the body. This wasn't so smart, when you go to put the body back on the car you have to angle the back down and get it around the rear of the frame before you can sit it down flat. Ooopppss.



I didn't take any pictures of the brackets that I made, but it was a pain in the rear to get them right. Especially since I had nothing to work with from the get go. But it truned out pretty sweet, even if I did paint the bumpers rather than have them rechromed. But then I painted all my chrome.

Here's a link to some more of the bodywork I did

http://www.et-motorsports.cc/project...work/index.htm

 

Why not just put an 80 - 82 rear bumper cover on?

 

Man that looks great. How problematic was it dropping thebody shell down on the '76? If I find a donor '73, is that the best way to do it?

 

That is an amazing undertaking that I would never dream of attempting.
There are a lot of talented people in this world and it looks like you are certainly one of them.
The Electorn Blue is probably my favorite color of any Ive ever seen
GREAT work!

 

Durango_Boy:

really sitting the body down on the frame is no big deal. all the body mounts are the same. But you do have to remove the two 5mph bupper supports for the old rubber bumper. The hardest part was making the supports for the chrome bumperettes. If I can get some good shots of the bumper supports I made I'll post them today or tomorrow.

That's what I did, I found a 71 down in texas for $400 with some damage to the rear taillight panel. It came with two doors too. Other than that it was in great shape.


Bob Onit:

Thanks man, it was a lot of work. The monza tilt noze from Ecklers was a bear to get right too. And it still isn't right. I didn't have the correct tires on the car when I was putting it together and even though the cowl is cetnered on the car the left fender is about 1" to narrow. Even with the inner lip shaved down the tire will rub on bigger bumps and sharp left hand turns. And now that same side where the 1/4 fender and the hood meet right behind the left tire is starting to turn inward and my body lines are all screwed up. i guess the glass is curing again, but you would think that sitting for 10 years out of the mold before paint would have allowed for enough curing time.

The color was a toss up between electron blue and the 50th anniversery dark red color, but I had already bought the blue when i saw the red. Oh well I can always build another one right.