Chassis / Body Fitment Question
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Chassis / Body Fitment Question
I did some searching here on the forum but came up short with answers so if you can weigh in please do so here.
Can a 1976 chassis be modified to accomodate a 69, 70, 71, or 72 body?
If you know please share because I am having trouble determining what would have to change from the various AIM's.
Appreciate your input and thank you in advance.
David Howard
AllC34Me
Can a 1976 chassis be modified to accomodate a 69, 70, 71, or 72 body?
If you know please share because I am having trouble determining what would have to change from the various AIM's.
Appreciate your input and thank you in advance.
David Howard
AllC34Me
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
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From: Cameron Park CA
The problem areas are the front and rear of the frame where the bumpers attach. Do a search on the frame difference sip over the C3 years. There are some good threads showing the differences.
Basically the chrome bumpers offer no protection, whereas the later rubber bumper frames had to conform to the federal rules that didn't allow any damage to the body and lights in a 5 mph crash. The frames had to change to accommodate the added hardware
Pete
Basically the chrome bumpers offer no protection, whereas the later rubber bumper frames had to conform to the federal rules that didn't allow any damage to the body and lights in a 5 mph crash. The frames had to change to accommodate the added hardware
Pete
Thread Starter
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From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Thanks to you both. I think it would be great to see photographs of bare chassis for 69, 70, 71, 72, 73 front and rear, 74, 75, etc. I wonder if among the whole Corvette Forum community we would have enough pictures to make this work. Let me start.
Front end chassis for 71
Front end chassis for 76 and 77
Rear end chassis for 71
Rear end chassis for 76 and 77
If any of you guys out there have front end with attachments, or rear end with attachment pictures please consider posting them for me to view, download and compare. I appreciate all of your help and look forward to seeing what you find.
Thank you and best regards,
David Howard
Front end chassis for 71
Front end chassis for 76 and 77
Rear end chassis for 71
Rear end chassis for 76 and 77
If any of you guys out there have front end with attachments, or rear end with attachment pictures please consider posting them for me to view, download and compare. I appreciate all of your help and look forward to seeing what you find.
Thank you and best regards,
David Howard
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
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From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
I appreciate all the help. Much like my Sparty Barn Find Project I am considering modifying a 77 chassis to work with a 71 body and thought I might document and post the process here on the forum as a shared experience. I will start looking for a 71 rear cross member and 71 front assembly parts to start with and if I can locate a 69-72 chassis within driving distance I will photograph and document what I can from that car, or slip up under my 71 Sparty, but document this I will. Thanks for your help.
David Howard
David Howard
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
Hey David! If you run across a 75 vert shell/body/etc. would you let me know? I have a spare 77 roller that needs a body. I'm going to finish out a coupe that I have if I can't find one but I really want a vert after talking to you earlier.
Thanks!
Kim
Thanks!
Kim
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi David,
I believe you'll find that it's not just the rear crossmember that will have to be changed. The frame rails from about differential cross member on back are different.
I think some people change the rear of the frame from the start of the kick-up, rearward.
I'd be careful about 'putting a frame together' for a car I cared about, or would have to explain to the next owner.
Regards,
Alan
I believe you'll find that it's not just the rear crossmember that will have to be changed. The frame rails from about differential cross member on back are different.
I think some people change the rear of the frame from the start of the kick-up, rearward.
I'd be careful about 'putting a frame together' for a car I cared about, or would have to explain to the next owner.
Regards,
Alan
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
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From: North Easton Mass
I have seen some pics of chrome bumper rear sections mated to later model frames where the sections were joined right above the center of the rear axle. The pieces were cut along the side line so that there was ample area to weld together. Maybe if you do a really general search for something like 'frame' you might find them.
I'm kind of toying with the idea of selling the original frame for my 72. The serial numbers are no longer visible so it's just another 72 frame. The differential crossmember is shot and the trailing arm pockets are rusty so I decided to replace the whole frame several years ago.
Rick B.
I'm kind of toying with the idea of selling the original frame for my 72. The serial numbers are no longer visible so it's just another 72 frame. The differential crossmember is shot and the trailing arm pockets are rusty so I decided to replace the whole frame several years ago.
Rick B.
Thread Starter
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From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
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From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
David
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
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From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Hi David,
I believe you'll find that it's not just the rear crossmember that will have to be changed. The frame rails from about differential cross member on back are different.
I think some people change the rear of the frame from the start of the kick-up, rearward.
I'd be careful about 'putting a frame together' for a car I cared about, or would have to explain to the next owner.
Regards,
Alan
I believe you'll find that it's not just the rear crossmember that will have to be changed. The frame rails from about differential cross member on back are different.
I think some people change the rear of the frame from the start of the kick-up, rearward.
I'd be careful about 'putting a frame together' for a car I cared about, or would have to explain to the next owner.
Regards,
Alan
Thanks again,
David
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi David,
I don't think that having a rubber bumper frame available is enough reason to modify it to put under a chrome bumper body.
I believe you want the money you spend, and the work you put in to a project, to increase the car's value, not decrease it.
Obvious 2 cents!
Regards,
Alan
I don't think that having a rubber bumper frame available is enough reason to modify it to put under a chrome bumper body.
I believe you want the money you spend, and the work you put in to a project, to increase the car's value, not decrease it.
Obvious 2 cents!
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
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From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Maybe if I had a metal bumper body it would be but I don't. For me it is more about the opportunity to learn. I appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks.
David
Thanks.
David