Where do get replacement frames? Does anyone make new ones?

 

Vette Products of Michigan makes them. A new frame can be purchased for somewhere between $3000 and $4000 depending on year and powertrain.

 

Ken/Brenda,

Do you know if Vette Products of Michigan is the actual manufacturer of these frames or are they just marketing them for someone? There are several vendors advertising new frames, but I'd be willing to bet that there is a single manufacturer.

Whoever is actually making these frames, Vette Products of Michigan had a mid-year frame (I believe) at Corvettes@Carlisle last year... From a quality standpoint, it looked really nice. I'm afraid that I can't comment on the accuracy of the reproduction as I am not familiar enough with mid-year frame details... I'd like to compare one of their 68+ frames to an original one to see how close the reproduction is.

The price that you mentioned sounds correct... Figure somewhere around $3,000 - $4,000.

Regards,

 

Seems to me a good welder/fabricator could repair/make a new frame, cut out and replace sections with tubing...even 1/4 inch thick....??? heavy, I know...
just don't look like that big a deal...

GENE

 

Garagedweller-
The URL for Vette Prod is http://www.vetteproducts.net.
Rowdy-
I've wondered about who their source is myself. I highly doubt that Vette Prod owns their own stamping facility, the cost would be tremendous to sustain on low volume products. Being they're on the crest of the Motorcity, I would suspect that they source their stamping work out to one of the major companys in the area.
I will be visiting Vette Prod in the next wk, and this would be a good question to present to them! I also like to present the fact that their moves are being discussed on the net. This always raises vendors eyebrows, and makes for interesting discussion! My past visits with them have netted good service at a decent price! Plus they're close to home! -Rod :chevy

 

Uptmor's in Waco, TX has 3 or 4 laying behind his shop. I think they are junk to him. He would probably give one away cheap. 254-799-1356.

 

After changing "net" to "com", I got re-directed here:
http://www.tracyvette.com/frames.html

 

Gene,

There are frame repair sections available and depending upon what part of the frame actually needs repair, commercially available steel stock might be suitable to use as well (as you noted).

These are problems as I see them...

First, if the frame is so bad that you can see sections need to be replaced, how bad are the areas that you can't see? I know that you're aware that these frames rust from the inside out... If you are replacing ANY structural pieces of the frame, you have to wonder about how solid the rest of it is.

If the frame requires only minor repair, you're still going to have to prepare it for paint. While many are content to paint directly over surface rust, dirt, rust pitting, etc., there are also those people who need a slightly better finish on the completed product. At some point the time and money involved in chemical dipping, sandblasting, filling and sanding frame imperfections, and whatever else is required to bring it up to standard is going to exceed the cost of a new frame. Even if you are doing this yourself, your time is worth something... There are other things that I would enjoy doing more than filling and sanding rust pits in a frame. :)

A used frame is always an option, but you may end up with the same problems/issues mentioned above.

At some point, that reproduction frame might become an attractive solution... Even at $3,000 - $4,000.

Regards,

 

I have repaired frames by welding pieces in. I have done 5 frames that way as a matter of fact, and when the owners got done they all worked out great. All of the frames I have seen have rust that is pretty much localized to the area in front of the back wheels and the pockets for the t-arms. I guess it depends on what you want.

 

Now if you really want something that will last and be as rigid as a C5, SRIII Motorsports, Inc. is working on a tubular steel frame for C3's with all C4 suspension pieces including coilovers & rack & pinion steering. They already produce a frame for the 53-62's. (flat bottoms on the body). They include mounts for an LS1. Try their website at http://www.sriiimotorsports.com. The shop already has one to replace the frame of a 61. With the triangulation they have designed, strength is not a problem.

Spike

 

Now if you really want something that will last and be as rigid as a C5, SRIII Motorsports, Inc. is working on a tubular steel frame for C3's with all C4 suspension pieces including coilovers & rack & pinion steering. They already produce a frame for the 53-62's. (flat bottoms on the body). They include mounts for an LS1. Try their website at http://www.sriiimotorsports.com. The shop already has one to replace the frame of a 61. With the triangulation they have designed, strength is not a problem. The price is very reasonable for the engineering you get.

Spike

 

I can not get the site to open. Is this the correct address?

 

Anybody help with vendors for repair frame sections?

Thanks

Jim

 

Jim,

Try Paragon Reproductions.

T

 

Rowdy Rat,
Vette Products makes them right in their shop. They do buy a lot of other parts, but I have talked to the owner and the others that work there, and they confirmed they make them in the back.

Thanks
Ken

 

I bought my repair sections from Zip (who resells the ones manufactured by Vette Products of Michigan). I didn't know about the Forum discount, but with it, the price would be nearly identical. I'm having the sections replaced by a local collision shop this weekend. I plan to post some before and after shots when it comes back.

As mentioned above, the major damage is localized in front of the rear wheels, and in the pockets where the trailing arms meet the rear crossmember. I showed all of the parts to the guy doing the work, and discussed all of the areas of concern -- which we've agreed to put in writing. I do believe that the frame will be structurally sound when I get it back.

The biggest reasons I am restoring rather than replacing are: 1) what to do with the original if I replace?, and 2) I was able to find the serial number stamped on the kickup section over the driver's rear wheel.

Best Wishes!

 

I had one section of my frame repaired. As with the others, the rust was in front of the driver's side rear wheel and at the control arm. For $600, my welder cut the majority of the side rail out (without removing the body), fabricated a new section, and boxed it in. The repair looks stock, and is straight and strong.

I'm not against new frames, but from a cost standpoint, $3-4K is a lot of money. In the case of a lot of C3's that's easily 50% of the value of the car. In my humble opinion, I don't think it's a wise investment.

Then again, if everything has to be perfect, I guess $3-4K is a drop in the bucket.

 

Rod & Ken,

Thanks for the information on Vette Products of Michigan. As I mentioned, the frame they had on display appeared to be a quality piece... If they are welding them up in house, they seem to be doing a good job of it.

Regards,