When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
came across a c3 frame that is partially restored. a lot of good parts and a non rusted convertible bird cage.
but passenger side is kinked an I think drivers engine mount is bent.
Anyone think this can be repaired or straightened. I have seen some change the whole front clip but that type of weld seems skechy to me.
Any thoughts.
John
Last edited by XXvette; Aug 6, 2022 at 08:17 AM.
Reason: adding picture
As long as the frame is solid, a competent frame shop can address. Clearly, the car was hit pretty hard so I would do a complete tram, checking all dimensions.
The key will be to find the competent shop. Back in my day, we had several in my area (when I did my body off back in the 70s, I had my frame trammed and found that it had been tweaked a bit so I am glad I did that) but that kind of skill set is hard to come by today.
For just straightening the frame I would guesstimate 15-20 hours. If you want a full cosmetic restoration of the crumpled areas, add on another 10. You can do the math at $100 hour labor rate and see that it won’t be cheap.
came across a c3 frame that is partially restored. a lot of good parts and a non rusted convertible bird cage.
but passenger side is kinked an I think drivers engine mount is bent.
Anyone think this can be repaired or straightened. I have seen some change the whole front clip but that type of weld seems skechy to me.
Any thoughts.
John
I disagree that the entire front clip change if done properly is in any way "sketchy". (I think the term "sketchy" is better applied to the welding on some factory C3 frames).
Race cars get damaged front or rear frame sections replaced all the time, and I guarantee a race car loads the frame a LOT harder than anything a street driven Vette is going to see. Done properly - the bad frame section is cut off, and the new section cut to match (the guy doing the work picks a place to cut that removes all the damage, and is relatively easy to do the splice in). The new section is welded in - 360 degrees around - then two fish plates are welded over the joint to add additional strength. When done properly - the repaired area is significantly stronger than the areas around it.
However - you need to factor in the cost of the "spare frame", and in terms of time - it's not going to be any faster than it would be to go to a frame machine - the primary use is when the frame is simply too damaged to be pulled back into the right place....
Frame repair
