Need Frame help ....will it fit 73
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 941
Likes: 10
Need Frame help ....will it fit 73
Thanks to a forum member helping me, I have possibly located
2 frames I have been looking for for months.
Heres where I need help. In searching, I found a document on the
forum that listed Frame changes over the years. But it does not say what frames will fit different years.
I have a 1973 4 speed Coupe
I have located a 76 and 77 frames
Will either fit my 73 and mate up properly. If they both will fit, is either better than the other.
And thanks my friend for the heads up !!!!
8Valve
2 frames I have been looking for for months.
Heres where I need help. In searching, I found a document on the
forum that listed Frame changes over the years. But it does not say what frames will fit different years.
I have a 1973 4 speed Coupe
I have located a 76 and 77 frames
Will either fit my 73 and mate up properly. If they both will fit, is either better than the other.
And thanks my friend for the heads up !!!!
8Valve
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Thanks to a forum member helping me, I have possibly located
2 frames I have been looking for for months.
Heres where I need help. In searching, I found a document on the
forum that listed Frame changes over the years. But it does not say what frames will fit different years.
I have a 1973 4 speed Coupe
I have located a 76 and 77 frames
Will either fit my 73 and mate up properly. If they both will fit, is either better than the other.
And thanks my friend for the heads up !!!!
8Valve
2 frames I have been looking for for months.
Heres where I need help. In searching, I found a document on the
forum that listed Frame changes over the years. But it does not say what frames will fit different years.
I have a 1973 4 speed Coupe
I have located a 76 and 77 frames
Will either fit my 73 and mate up properly. If they both will fit, is either better than the other.
And thanks my friend for the heads up !!!!
8Valve
Rick B.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
You can probably make any C3 frame work (with a hammer, blow torch, cutting wheel, and good welder) but you'd be time and money ahead finding a good 73 or earlier frame.
68-73 frames are basically the same in the rear. On the front, there are slight variations in the holes in frame's front 'horns' for mountng front bumper hardware. This is easily overcome.
10-12 years ago, I once put a 73 body on a 68 frame. Pretty simple job.
68-73 frames are basically the same in the rear. On the front, there are slight variations in the holes in frame's front 'horns' for mountng front bumper hardware. This is easily overcome.
10-12 years ago, I once put a 73 body on a 68 frame. Pretty simple job.
Last edited by 73, Dark Blue 454; Jun 26, 2012 at 11:58 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 941
Likes: 10
Thanks for the quick replies. My present frame also has bad spots in the rear, so it does not have a donor rear. And thanks for the year span info that will swap ie 68 to 73. This forum is such a valuable resource.........many thanks
8Valve
8Valve
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,429
Likes: 20
From: Kingston Ontario
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 941
Likes: 10
Just got home and read the later replies to my original post.
I understand a 1968-1973 frame is ideal and a early 74 will work.
New question......I have a possible lead on a 1980 frame less than a hour from my home, reported to be rust free.
My old frame can not be a donor in any way since its so bad. If I put the 80 frame and my 73 frame side by side, how much work could I expect to modify the 80 frame to accept my 73 body.
I have steel, plasma, mig/tig.
I dont show my car, its just a driver so 100% accuracy in the right frame is nill.
Thank you
8Valve
I understand a 1968-1973 frame is ideal and a early 74 will work.
New question......I have a possible lead on a 1980 frame less than a hour from my home, reported to be rust free.
My old frame can not be a donor in any way since its so bad. If I put the 80 frame and my 73 frame side by side, how much work could I expect to modify the 80 frame to accept my 73 body.
I have steel, plasma, mig/tig.
I dont show my car, its just a driver so 100% accuracy in the right frame is nill.
Thank you
8Valve
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Just got home and read the later replies to my original post.
I understand a 1968-1973 frame is ideal and a early 74 will work.
New question......I have a possible lead on a 1980 frame less than a hour from my home, reported to be rust free.
My old frame can not be a donor in any way since its so bad. If I put the 80 frame and my 73 frame side by side, how much work could I expect to modify the 80 frame to accept my 73 body.
I have steel, plasma, mig/tig.
I dont show my car, its just a driver so 100% accuracy in the right frame is nill.
Thank you
8Valve
I understand a 1968-1973 frame is ideal and a early 74 will work.
New question......I have a possible lead on a 1980 frame less than a hour from my home, reported to be rust free.
My old frame can not be a donor in any way since its so bad. If I put the 80 frame and my 73 frame side by side, how much work could I expect to modify the 80 frame to accept my 73 body.
I have steel, plasma, mig/tig.
I dont show my car, its just a driver so 100% accuracy in the right frame is nill.
Thank you
8Valve
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Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 16
From: absecon nj
im running a 75 frame on my 73 , it fit fine on the front and middle .Only thing that youll do is remove the rear bumper shocks from the 75 frame then modify your 73 bumper brackets to fit back on. The 76 frame you were looking at should be close too.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,500
Likes: 312
From: Scottsdale AZ
Where are you ? Not indicated in your profile.
there's a boatload of frames out here at a couple different places in the Phoenix area . . .might require stripping them down- but they're rust free!
there's a boatload of frames out here at a couple different places in the Phoenix area . . .might require stripping them down- but they're rust free!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 941
Likes: 10
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Last edited by 63mako; Jun 28, 2012 at 05:46 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 941
Likes: 10
I want to sincerely thank all who responded to my question. This afternoon, I went to look at a frame only 52 miles away. It is a 1980 and absolutely cherry. I will make and needed mods so if fits my 73. To get the frame, I bought the entire Vette which included a 61,000 mile L82 that runs great.
The body was seriously vandalized and all fiberglass is destroyed.
I want the body off quick as possible with no attempt to save any destroyed body panels. Since I started this thread, let me modify the question. What is the easiest and quickest way to cut off the old body and get to bare frame. I mean sawzall, cut off wheel, TNT, where would you wack it to make the best time.
I will be saving any good interior parts to sell later on.
8Valve
The body was seriously vandalized and all fiberglass is destroyed.
I want the body off quick as possible with no attempt to save any destroyed body panels. Since I started this thread, let me modify the question. What is the easiest and quickest way to cut off the old body and get to bare frame. I mean sawzall, cut off wheel, TNT, where would you wack it to make the best time.
I will be saving any good interior parts to sell later on.
8Valve
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Here is a rolling chassis, powdercoated W/ VBP performance suspension Complete for $4500. Pretty good deal. You can parts yours.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...nvertible.html
Best off unbolting the body on the 80 and lifting it. If you use the 80 save gas tank and mounting, use 80 rear end and suspension and use your crossmember if you can. Basically leave it as a rolling chassis and modify what you have to to mount your front and rear bumpers and components. It will be a major undertaking.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...nvertible.html
Best off unbolting the body on the 80 and lifting it. If you use the 80 save gas tank and mounting, use 80 rear end and suspension and use your crossmember if you can. Basically leave it as a rolling chassis and modify what you have to to mount your front and rear bumpers and components. It will be a major undertaking.
Last edited by 63mako; Jun 28, 2012 at 05:51 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 941
Likes: 10
Here is a rolling chassis, powdercoated W/ VBP performance suspension Complete for $4500. Pretty good deal. You can parts yours.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...nvertible.html
Best off unbolting the body on the 80 and lifting it. If you use the 80 save gas tank and mounting, use 80 rear end and suspension and use your crossmember if you can. Basically leave it as a rolling chassis and modify what you have to to mount your front and rear bumpers and components. It will be a major undertaking.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...nvertible.html
Best off unbolting the body on the 80 and lifting it. If you use the 80 save gas tank and mounting, use 80 rear end and suspension and use your crossmember if you can. Basically leave it as a rolling chassis and modify what you have to to mount your front and rear bumpers and components. It will be a major undertaking.
8Valve